Church Conflict: An Annotated Selected Bibliography

Conflict-Related Titles

	*Making Peace with Conflict* edited by Carolyn Schrock-Shenk and Lawrence Ressler, Herald Press, 1999 An excellent primer on conflict in different settings including the church, wiritten mainly by Mennonite mediators and practitioners, and aimed at a church readership.
	*How to Learn Through Conflict: A Handbook for Leaders in Local Churches* by Colin Patterson, Grove Books, 2003 A great introduction for church leaders and members.
	*The Journey Toward Reconciliation* by John Paul Lederach, Herald Press, 1999 A highly readable and inspiring book by a leading mediator and trainer, incorporating stories from his experience, and some of his reflections on conflict in the church.
	*Let’s Talk: Communication Skills and Conflict Transformation* by Barry Bartel, Faith and Life Press, 1999 An excellent workbook for use in groups, with plenty of practical exercises and great cartoons!
	*The New Freedom of Forgiveness, by David Augsburger*, Moody, 2000 Now in its third edition, a very readable book on forgiveness.
	*Promise and Peril: Understanding and Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations, by David Brubaker*, Alban Institute, 2009 Excellent examination of handling change in churches, based on empirical research.

Family Systems Theory and Leadership

	How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems by Peter Steinke, Alban Institute, 1993 A useful introduction to family systems theory (or Bowen Theory) as applied to the church: helpful in understanding the emotional dynamics within a congregation.
	Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue by Edwin Friedman, Guildford Press, 1985 A seminal but heavy book applying family systems theory to the church.
	Never Call Them Jerks: Healthy Responses to Difficult Behaviour by Arthur Paul Boers, Alban Institute, 2000 An excellent and readable book from a Mennonite pastor that invites church leaders to a mature approach in dealing with people labelled “difficult” or worse!
	Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family Systems Theory and the Pastor’s Own Family by Ronald Richardson, Fortress Press, 2005 An important application of family systems theory to the church leader’s own family.

Leadership

A Theology of Church Leadership in Focus on Leadership: Papers, Commentary and Reflection on a Seminar Launching the Foundation for Church Leadership by Steven Croft, Foundation for Church Leadership, 2005

A helpful and concise theological exposition drawing widely on current leadership writing.

In The Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri Nouwen, Darton, Longman and Todd, 1989

A short but outstanding book on leadership.

Relational Leadership: A Biblical Model for<br />
Leadership Service by Walter Wright<

Relational Leadership: A Biblical Model for
Leadership Service by Walter Wright, Paternoster Press, 2000.

A comprehensive book that draws from the best of current leadership writing.

Mediation, Group Facilitation and Process

Mediation in Context, edited by Marian Liebmann, Jessica Kingsley, 2000

A helpful review of mediation in the UK – although no mention of mediation in the church.

The Skilled Facilitator, by Roger Schwarz, Jossey-Bass, 2002 (revised edition)

One of the best books written on facilitation, and useful for those working with groups

Meetings that Work, by Catherine Widdicombe, Lutterworth Press, 2000

A British book offering very helpful and thorough insights into making meetings work.

Cross-Cultural Conflict

Conflict Mediation Across Cultures: Pathways and Patterns by David Augsburger, Westminster/JKP, 1992.

An inspiring look at cross-cultural dimensions of conflict, packed with great stories.

Working with Conflict: Skills and Strategies for Action, edited by Simon Fisher et al, Zed Books / Responding to Conflict, 2000

A rich resource book for people working in areas affected by violent conflict.

Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot- and Cold-Climate Cultures, by Sarah Lanier, McDougal Publishing, 2000

Short, helpful and accessible.

Theology for Conflict Transformation

	The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics, by Stanley Hauerwas, Notre Dame, 1983 A ground-breaking book on ethics arguing for non-violent discipleship.
	The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation; A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics, by Richard B Hays, HarperCollins, 1996 A brilliant theological work, offering a profound insight into reading the New Testament, and applying this to contemporary ethical challenges.
	A Culture of Peace: God’s Vision for the Church, by Alan Kreider, Eleanor Kreider and Paulus Widjaja, Good Books, 2005 An inspiring book on the church as a culture of peace – a must-read!
	Covenant of Peace: The Missing Peace in New Testament Theology and Ethics, by Willard M Swartley, Eerdmans, 2006 A definitive work on the theology of peace in the New Testament.
	Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian Community Before the Watching World, by John Howard Yoder, Herald Press, 2001 A short but outstanding theological exploration that covers conflict and decision-making.
	The Politics of Jesus: Vicit Agnus Noster, by John Howard Yoder, Eerdmans, 2nd ed, 1994. A second edition of Yoder’s ground breaking book on the non-violent politics of Jesus.