Reviewed by: Connor Salter, Professional Writing student at Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Introduction

Title: The Peacemaking Church: 8 Biblical Keys to Resolve Conflict and Preserve Unity

Author: Curtis Heffelfinger

Publisher: Baker Books (Baker Publishing Group)

Publication Date: 2018

Format: Paperback

Length: 172 pages

OVERVIEW

All churches deal with conflicts eventually. But what if you could create a church culture that encourages peaceful relations and dealing with conflicts before they become big issues? Curtis Heffelfinger unpacks Paul’s teachings to various churches about dealing with conflict, adding examples from his own experience as a pastor, to show key tactics for peacemaking.

Like many pastors who choose to write books, Heffelfinger uses skills he’s learned in public speaking to organize the content, and that becomes the book’s strength and weakness. On the one hand, all of his points follow logically, and many chapters begin with colorful anecdotes that lead into those points. On the other hand, practiced writers learn to aim for a level of polished word choice that public speakers usually don’t need. You don’t have to make every single sentence sound great to tell a sermon, after all. This inexperience pulls the book down a bit, even though all the information is highly helpful and applicable. As a whole then, the book is rough around the edges but still a solid and very helpful resource.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

3 stars

Suggested Audience

Church leaders seeking to start peacemaking endeavors in their churches, church members seeking to develop peacemaking traits in their own lives.

Christian Impact

This book will help many Christians pursue healthy relations with each other and develop stronger churches.

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