Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

Volume 8 Number 2 Article 12

2014

Reconcile: Conflict rT ansformation for Ordinary Christians [review] / Lederach, John Paul

Stanley E. Patterson Andrews University, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Patterson, Stanley E. (2014) "Reconcile: Conflict rT ansformation for Ordinary Christians [review] / Lederach, John Paul," Journal of Applied Christian Leadership: Vol. 8: No. 2, 106-107. Available at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/jacl/vol8/iss2/12

This Book Review is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Applied Christian Leadership by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Patterson: Reconcile: Conflict Transformation for Ordinary Christians [revie BOOK REVIEW STANLEY E. PATTERSON

attention capability in relation to our director of the center for Justice and emotional intelligence. the common Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite theme is that the more focused we University, harrisonburg, Virginia” are, the more effective we become. By (p. 191). understanding this aspect of cognitive Lederach cites the work of James science, leaders may become more Laue (1979) and ronald Krayhill effective and successful in life and (1980) as primary influence sources work. this book can assist you in for his work. the book contains an managing your emotions, being extensive resource section that aware of others’ emotions, and devel- includes tools, books, biographies, oping your empathy to the end of and films that may contribute to read- increasing cooperation and collabora- ers’ understanding and application of tion. concepts presented, but there is no formal bibliography outside of this JOrgE PErEZ is an entrepreneur and owner of a bilin- gual hispanic newspaper in Southwest Ontario. he resource section. serves as President of the canadian Latin American the book effectively weaves the Association and is a Ph.D. student in the Andrews University Leadership Program. author’s experience and testimony, academic understanding, and actual narratives of conflict intervention and efforts at reconciliation into a finished RECONCILE: CONFLICT fabric of literature that held my atten- TRANSFORMATION FOR tion throughout. the introduction of ORDINARY CHRISTIANS his purpose for writing the book brought forth the expectation of dis- covering the spiritual foundations of By John Paul Lederach peacemaking. the practical goal was Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press (2014) presented as an effort to “see how the Paperback, 191 pages challenges of (his) work” connected with the “faith dimensions that moti- Reviewed by STANLEY E. vate and sustain (him)” (p. 15). his PATTERSON statement of task links to his purpose by again bringing the spiritual into this revised and updated edition, conversation with the practical: “We Reconcile: Conflict Transformation for face the challenge of aligning our- Ordinary Christians, was first pub- selves with the central vision of god’s lished by herald Press in 1999 under reconciling presence and work the title The Journey Toward throughout human history” (p. 16). Reconciliation. Lederach writes of con- Lederach builds his spiritual foun- flict and reconciliation out of 30 years dation for peacemaking on the footing of experience as a peace negotiator in provided by John 3:16 wherein god many of the major hotspots of war and sacrificed his Son as a means of recon- strife in the span of our planet. he ciling fallen humanity to himself. he clearly acknowledges the Anabaptist takes this as a primary principle of pacifist influence of his Mennonite peacemaking. god models peacemak- religious heritage on his work and phi- ing in his willingness to give himself losophy as a conflict mediator. he in seeking reconciliation with his ene- serves as “professor of international mies. in this model we see god doing peacebuilding and director of the Kroc more than simply talking about recon- institute for international Peace ciliation; he actually takes concrete Studies at the University of Notre steps to make it happen. this model Dame . . . and is the founding

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suggests that we experience the diversity of creation and the human “changed present reality by living race specifically. he emphasizes that according to a vision of the future” conflict is not sin. rather, it is a nor- (p. 26). Nicodemus was living a pres- mal process of resolving differences ent changed reality as he heard the of perception and opinion. it is how words, “For god so loved the world we approach conflict that reveals the . . . ,” spoken of the Messiah who was presence or absence of sin. himself a fulfillment of a better future. Reconcile is well-written and Stories are used to illustrate the demonstrates a balance of ethos, biblical principles of peacemaking— logos, and pathos that sets it apart Esau and Jacob provide a rich context from even the best “how-to” texts on that informs us of the root causes and conflict intervention and manage- the ever present reality that conflict ment. Lederach’s use of narrative lurks within us. the desire to ascend illustrated by his own rich experience and dominate enormously damaged as a peace builder establishes credibil- this family even as it damaged the ity at a high level. the message is human race, which inherited the clear and the purpose statement made tendency from the fallen Lucifer in the introduction was honored—he (isa. 14:13-14). it is in this narrative established a solid biblical basis for that we see the role of family sys- the foundations he laid for the reader tems—rebekah and Jacob, isaac and seeking to know the christian basis for Esau—in the conflicts that require rec- reconciling conflict. the most power- onciliation (dealt with in the work of ful expression was the pathos accom- cosgrove & hatfield, 1994). it is in this plished through his personal and the story that the author introduces a biblical narratives. he drew me into powerful reality inherent in reconcilia- the suffering and the pain of conflict tion—one must turn toward the at a level i do not often experience. enemy, not away from, in order for it his values, beliefs, and understand- to happen. the story concludes with ings were implicit in the stories and reconciliation as a journey wherein drew me imaginatively into the life three necessary encounters must take and ministry of which he writes. place: with self, with the other, and My criticism would lie in what was with god. omitted. the introduction gave prom- the life and ministry of Jesus reveal ise to biblical narratives that implied the “reconciling arts” he practiced in studies of several, but in reality (likely his communion with mankind. editorial and publishing limitations) Lederach reverses the three necessary only one Old testament narrative was encounters described in the narrative detailed and broad strokes were given of Esau and Jacob in unpacking the to New testament narratives. i wished issue of the practice of “presence” for more and believe that the book with god-neighbor-self (p. 48). the might have been richer with addition- reconciling arts demonstrated by Jesus al narratives and analysis similar to “requires a commitment to see the the one dealing with Esau and Jacob. face of god in others, to feel the world i recommend this book to all who from their perspective, and to place would have a deeper understanding of ourselves not in control of but along- the work of peacemaking and recon- side the human experience and condi- ciliation. i believe this volume, in tion” (p. 56). company with a methodology book Lederach suggests that creation such as Furlong’s (2005) and cosgrove itself reflects conflict by design in the and hatfield’s (1994) contribution to

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conflict and the systems that support in an increasingly complex, it, would make for an effective knowl- interdependent, and culturally diverse world, we cannot hope edge base for educating a congrega- to understand and work with tion or corporate religious community people from different occupa- in the art of peacemaking and recon- tional, professional, and nation- al cultures if we do not know ciliation. how to ask questions and build relationships that are based on References mutual respect and the recogni- cosgrove, c. h., & hatfield, D. D. (1994). Church tion that others know things conflict: The hidden systems behind the fights. that we may need to know in Nashville, tN: Abingdon Press. order to get a job done. (p. 1) Furlong, g. t. (2005). The conflict resolution toolbox: he presents leadership as a rela- Models and maps for analyzing, diagnosing, and resolving conflict. Mississauga, canada: Wiley & tional process which involves conver- Sons canada. sation as opposed to command as a

Kraybill, r. S. (1980). Repairing the breach: Ministering means to achieving the necessary in community conflict. Akron, PA: conciliation goals toward mission accomplish- Services, Mennonite central committee, U.S. ment. the gentle inquiry is a commu- Laue, J., & cormick, g. (1979). the ethics of nication technique that recognizes intervention in community disputes. in g. Bermat, the need for all people engaged in the h. Kelman, & D. Warwick (Eds.), The ethics of social intervention. Washington, Dc: halsted Press. organizational community or team to feel valued and in possession of dig- StANLEY PAttErSON serves as chair and professor nity. the collective outcome of a cul- of christian Ministry at the Seventh-day Adventist theological Seminary at Andrews University and ture habit of asking rather than holds the position of Executive Director of the telling is the formation of a commu- christian Leadership center of Andrews University. nity that is bonded in positive rela- tionships and mutual respect. it moves away from the concept of HUMBLE INQUIRY: THE employee/boss to one of participants GENTLE ART OF ASKING in an ordered community who are INSTEAD OF TELLING committed to pursuing a common purpose through a network of trusted By Edgar H. Schein relationships. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler the book is ordered in a way that (2014) introduces the art of humble inquiry Paperback, 125 pages through short case studies that pres- ent narratives which illustrate the Reviewed by STANLEY E. practice of inquiry that positively PATTERSON impacts relationships. these case studies are followed by a presenta- Edgar h. Schein brings “50 years of tion that contrasts humble inquiry work as a social scientist and organi- with other types of inquiry that mask zational psychologist” to bear on this the desire to tell rather than genuine- simply written but profoundly insight- ly inquire. this temptation is present- ful book. he presents the concept of ed as a natural condition of the cul- gently asking rather than telling as a ture of “do and tell” that marks our means of engaging another person in conditioning in the command and the context of life and particularly control models that have marked the leadership. the purpose of the book is history of leadership and manage- framed in the response to a question ment behavior. Schein poses to the reader: Another element that has powerful implications for those seeking to

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