Commentary: Equipping Christians and their churches to be sowers of peace

Stephen E. Garner

A key goal of the conference is to provide churches with practical training and resources that make it easier for their members to share the gospel with friends, neighbors and coworkers and draw them into church fellowship.”

In James 3:18, God makes a marvelous promise: “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

This “sow to reap” metaphor reminds us that the more diligently we teach and nurture God’s relational principles, especially the gospel itself, the more we will see a harvest of peace, unity and godly relationships in our families, churches, ministries, schools, and businesses.

As relationships thrive, the weeds of conflict have less room to grow, which reduces strife and division in the church and opens the way for stronger families, more fruitful ministry and church growth, improved work performance, and, most importantly, a more compelling witness as Christians live out the gospel of peace in their families, workplaces and communities. Relational Wisdom 360 (RW360) is emotional intelligence, infused with Biblical wisdom and peacemaking principles which can help prevent conflicts, resolve conflicts when they do occur, and restore relationships.  

RW360’s 2024 Southern Regional Conference, scheduled for April 18-20 at Midway Church in Villa Rica, Georgia, will provide an inspirational vision for building relationships that display the transforming power of Jesus and his gospel. Five keynotes and 25 workshops will provide practical training on how to live out relational wisdom (enhanced emotional intelligence) and biblical peacemaking in daily life and especially in church leadership.  Thomas Hammond, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, will be presenting the Friday evening keynote address.

A key goal of the conference is to provide churches with practical training and resources that make it easier for their members to share the gospel with friends, neighbors and coworkers and draw them into church fellowship.

The conference will also provide training and resources that enable your church to establish a Peace Sower Team that provides ongoing teaching, coaching and conciliation services to your congregation and community. Such services have been proven to promote peace and unity, prevent divorces, promote evangelism and reduce the counseling and peacemaking burden on pastors.

In my role as an attorney and mediator, my whole view of conflict changed 25 years ago when I was first introduced to biblical peacemaking in the book The Peacemaker,  written by Ken Sande, the founder of RW360, who will also be speaking at this conference. When I read, “Every conflict is an opportunity to glorify God,” I was hooked.  I have been both teaching and utilizing the material which will be shared at this conference for many years, and this is what I can tell you with no hesitation: it works; it changes lives; and it promotes peace and unity. I am so excited about the opportunity we will have to introduce many more people to the life-changing effect of relational wisdom in this conference.

Midway co-pastor Todd Wright said he is aware of no greater threat to the gospel and the North American church than internal conflict.

“The trauma of a single conflict is often passed down two additional generations,” Wright said. “Sadly, for many people, their most vivid church memories center around conflict, instead of the transformational power of Jesus. Every church should be a bridge, connecting people to the gospel of Jesus. However, churches in conflict become the wall keeping people away from the gospel, rather than the bridge connecting them. Come learn with us, how to minimize conflict, lead through future changes effectively, and put the pieces back together from previous conflicts."

Midway’s other co-pastor, Kevin Rivers, said, “Conflict frequently becomes an opportunity for distraction, disruption, and destruction in the church. What if conflict became an opportunity for the advancement of the Gospel instead?  Navigating conflict is an inevitable part of every leader’s legacy. Shifting the approach from peacekeeping to peace-making will help ensure your navigation is on course.

“You’re invited to come learn with us how conflict can go from something to be avoided to something that can be addressed in such a way that opens the door to Kingdom progress.”

Please join us in taking hold of Jesus' marvelous promise, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
___

Stephen E. Garner is a Georgia attorney who leads Peace Like a River Mediation Services.