Being a Peacemaking Church
Calvary wants a "Culture of Peace"
A culture of peace is an environment in which members are encouraged and equipped to use biblical peacemaking to improve relationships, resolve conflict, enhance outreach, and give witness to Jesus Christ.
Six characteristics in a Culture of Peace:
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Members preserve relationships through biblical peacemaking and demonstrate the power of the gospel.
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Church leadership equips the congregation for peacemaking through consistent modeling and diligent teaching.
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The community is continually being built as members treat one another with genuine compassion and respect.
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Members are skilled at seeking reconciliation and resolving conflict biblically.
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Members naturally look to the Church for assistance and accountability in resolving difficult conflicts.
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Peace and unity in the Church overflow as a positive witness to the outside world that draws others to Christ.
The Solomon's Way Team:
A coach is someone who helps a person decides how to respond to a conflict in a biblically faithful manner.
A mediator is someone who meets with two or more people in conflict to help them improve their communication and reach an agreement.
Coaches and mediators focus on each person's heart -underlying attitudes, motives, or actions that may be inconsistent with God's best plan. The goal is to encourage Christians to behave in a manner that pleases God.
Distinctives in Conflict Resolution Based on the Bible:
Motivation - to please and honor God
Authority - Scripture establishes transcendent moral principles
Power - the Holy Spirit accomplishes the impossible: changes people's hearts
Depth - goes beyond surface issues to resolve root issues or "matters of the heart"
Focus - requires parties to deal with their own responsibilities before focusing on others
Offering correction - when necessary, uses directive biblical counseling to help people change ungodly attitudes and behavior
Restoration - actively promotes true reconciliation through repentance, confession, and forgiveness