I really admire Curtis Heffelfinger, author of "The Peacemaking Church."
His honesty and transparency about dealing with church conflict - much of which he, himself, created - was refreshing. Here was a pastor willing to admit his mistakes in dealing with people and offering suggestions and ideas how others could keep from making the same mistakes.
Why should pastors and church leaders read this book. Because conflict in the church is inevitable. Churches are not made up of perfect people but of sinners - and that includes the pastor. Heffelfinger describes "The Peacemaking Church" as sometime like preventative medicine. It's what you do to prevent disagreements and conflict from spinning into full-scale war in the church.
I also appreciated how Heffelfinger continually emphasized that it's "Jesus'" church and not ours. Remembering this key point should cause pastors, leaders and members to take care in dealing with change, difficult decisions and differing opinions that regularly take place among church members. A united church, walking together as one, is what Jesus has called us to be. Heffelfinger describes all the ways this can take place.
Every pastor should have this book in their library. It's that important.
Book provided by Baker Books
