USA (MNN) — Peacemaker Ministries and Saddleback Church will host a Peacemaker Seminar next month to teach people how to reconcile relationships biblically. That has far-reaching implications in a community.
Saddleback Church's Pastor Dave Greene says, "The first step in becoming a peacemaker is to learn how to respond to conflict in our own lives in a biblical and reconciling way. If we aren't doing that personally, then how are we going to influence others?"
It's the concept of living what you preach. Greene notes, "One of the biggest criticisms of the church is that we're all a bunch of hypocrites. This is a good way to attack that argument, by demonstrating in our lives the ability to resolve a conflict." Attendees will learn to respond to conflicts with grace in a way that glorifies God and serves other people. While many people tend to avoid or deny conflict, the Peacemaker Seminar's clear biblical teaching will enable attendees to face conflict with calm confidence in God and to encourage others who are in difficult conflicts."
Is there a difference between a peaceMAKER and a peaceKEEPER? Greene says they'll teach the difference at the seminar. That, in turn, will help believers live the Gospel as they strive toward healthy relationships. "A peacemaker is going to be more on the resolving part of things, rather than just keeping the parties separate like a peacekeeper would do. A peacemaker is going to help them reconcile the relationship."
The Peacemaker Seminar, co-sponsored by the California Southern Baptist Convention, will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 4, in Saddleback's worship center and end at 9 p.m. It will resume on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by noon. For more details, click here.
