Here's the idea. Imagine three concentric circles. At the core, picture a "culture of peace" in which we are committed to and growing in resolving our conflicts in a biblical manner. This is what we're working at now and the community groups will be doing some studies along these lines in the coming months. From there, we're planning on training Peacemaking Teams which would be formed to assist members in conflict coaching and mediation. All of that is Circle One and is underway for this year.

The next stage, Circle Two, will then involve our taking that same teaching and training into the community – especially other churches and non-profit organizations.

Then beyond that, Circle Three will take this one step further as we hope to become a coaching and mediation resource in the larger community. Attention here would be given again to churches and non-profits but also to troubled marriages.

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO BE A

PEACEMAKING CHURCH?

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Those three circles, each of these stages building off another, is something we are seeing as a long-term effort. That is "the peacemaking church" and it is a major part of what we believe the Lord is calling us to be and to do. It's something we believe we are uniquely positioned to pursue. And I hope and pray it is stirring in your heart as you consider the potential impact this could have.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

Be a part of a COMMUNITY GROUP. When your group is doing the series on Biblical Peacemaking, engage the homework, participate in the discussions. Let the Lord do His work in you through those studies. And if you find that you want to go further with this, if the idea of being on a Peacemaking Team intrigues you, contact our pastor, Richard Schwartz, and he'll walk you through the next steps.

JOHN 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

MATTHEW 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."