The Peacemaking Pastor

I began to read a new book this past weekend. It is The Peacemaking Pastor, by Alfred Poirier. Alfred is the Chairman of the Board for Peacemaker Ministries as well as the Senior Pastor of the Rocky Mountain Community Church in Billings, Montana.

In his Introduction, Alfred provides an excellent overview of conflict. He cites a study which revealed that 75% of congregations reported some type of conflict in the last five years. Another study identifies conflict and the stress it causes as the leading cause for pastors leaving local church ministry. In addition, pastors listed conflict management as the most needed training they lacked in their seminary or Bible College studies.

The first chapter of this book is aptly titled "Hope for a Heretic." Alfred calls himself a closet heretic and he confesses that he is guilty of Docetism. Docetism is the belief that Christ did not live in the flesh, or that He only appeared to be, or seemed to be, fully man. Please note that his heresy, as he calls it, is not theological but practical.

Alfred observes that we often confess that Christ came as a man and was fully human. He writes: "Consequently, when conflicts arise, we act as if Christ's person and work have little relevancy or hope to offer. We act as if Christ cannot relate or, perhaps, that our parishoners cannot relate to Christ" (Pg. 19 - 20).

In a similar manner, when we begin to feel the heat of conflict, we get caught up in the details and often act as described in this book. We forget that Jesus experienced the heat of conflict, knew its devastating power and can guide us through the steps of reconciliation. Thus, I believe we too act like closet heretics.

I still have much to read and process in this excellent resource, but I highly recommend it and believe it will be helpful to those who truly desire to shepherd people who experience conflict on a daily basis. It is helpful to be reminded that the faith we believe and affirm has relevance to the issues of life. And I appreciate leaders like Alfred who are not afraid to admit their struggles so that others can learn from them.

~ Jim