Peace Resources

The following are some of the resources available at the Lancaster Conference Congregational Resource Center:

Aschliman, Kathryn. Growing Toward Peace. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1993.

Stories from teachers and parents about real children learning to live peacefully, offering inspiring illustrations of peace development. The stories support parents in the family setting; they also stimulate teachers who want children to make friends instead of enemies. Adults can learn how to provide the young with islands of peace and sanity in a world of fear, war, brokenness; and how to counter violence appearing in real life and in books, games, toys, music, videos, and television.

Bartel, Barry C. Let's Talk: Communication skills and conflict transformation. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1999.

A tool to get Christians thinking, talking, and living out effective skills in interpersonal communication, transforming conflict into growth. As a workbook for group study, Let's Talk includes a personal inventory on our conflict management styles, discussion guides, personal reflection exercises, role plays for active listening and appropriate speaking, and much more. A leader's guide is also included at the back.

Brown, Dale W. Biblical Pacifism: A peace church perspective. Elgin: Brethren Press, 1986.

Dale Brown surveys how the Church of the Brethren has responded to the nonresistant command of Christ to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . .(Matthew 5:44)." This book surveys an Anabaptist view of nonresistance, describes various contemporary pacifist positions, and analyzes numerous philosophical, ethical, and political questions which impact the peace witness of all churches. Also included are illustrations of Biblically based strategies for peacemaking.

Change of Command. Video. Mennonite Central Committee, 1999.

Presents the stories of military veterans whose inner voice clashed with their military duties. For all, a deepening commitment to Christ's way of peace changed the course of their lives. Courage, coupled with God's grace, brought healing and vision for the future. This video challenges youth and adults alike to examine their faith as it relates to violence, war, and peace. Includes a study guide.

Conchies: an American story of commitment and courage. Video. Sisters & Brothers, Inc., 1993.

During World War II, while 40,000,000 men engaged in violent conflict, a small army of 12,000 made a significant stand for peace as participants in Civilian Public Service. These conscientious objectors influenced significantly the quality of mental health care and awakened a national conscience. This video honors COs' stories and the impact of their service. Their firm stance that it was wrong to participate in the military and in war left a legacy for peace for their children and their children's children.

Gwyn, Douglas, et al. A Declaration on Peace. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1991.

This text contends that peacemaking is essential to Christian discipleship. It is the vocation of the church as a whole. Moving beyond the traditional debate around "pacifism," this statement seeks dialogue concerning a renewed vision of the entire purpose of God in the world. In A Declaration on Peace, Brethren, Friends, Mennonites, and the Fellowship of Reconciliation seek conversation with Christians everywhere on peace, war, militarism, and justice. The book offers an ecumenical dialogue on the morality of war grounded in a biblical vision common to all Christian communions.

Hall, Eddy. Decide for Peace. Newton: Faith and Life Press, 1996.

Designed for individual or group study, Decide for Peace guides youth and young adults in exploring key Bible passages to consider such timeless questions as the causes of war, whether war can be just, and whether Christians should always obey their governments. Through a process involving Bible study, prayer, and journaling, individuals can work through this book in four or eight sessions.

Landis, Susan Mark. But Why Don't We Go To War?: Finding Jesus' path to peace. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1993.

This book leads upper elementary children and their parents to understand Jesus' path to peace and to take the next steps on it. Both generations can learn together, with sessions around these themes: Jesus came to bring peace; God's children love enemies; We trust God alone; Peace is God's vision; God created all peoples; and We make peace. Each session includes dialogues, stories about peacemakers, biblical dramas, and help for parents.

Larson, Jeanne and Madge Micheels-Cyrus, compilers. Seeds of Peace. Philadelphia: New Society Publishers, 1987.

Contains more than 1700 quotations on war and peace, nonviolence and the need for justice. Well organized, Seeds of Peace covers patriotism, the challenge to make peace, peace conversion, visions of peace, humor, bumper stickers and more. The book is an invaluable resource for speech makers, sermon writers and newsletter editors.

Lederach, John Paul. The Journey Toward Reconciliation. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1999.

The author shares insight from years of work in international mediation and deep spiritual reflection on the task of reconciliation. From personal experiences and the Bible story, he finds God seeking reconciliation throughout history. Lederach accompanies people divided by hatred on their journey to encounter themselves, each other, and God. Here is help for conflicted families, communities, and nations.

Rhythms of Peace. Video. Mennonite Media Productions, 1996.

Conflict-solving ideas are presented in four stories and songs for children ages 8-11. In the first setting, wacky Mr. Fredd introduces each story and its theme. Stories without Mr. Fredd allow for ease in stopping the video to teach four separate lessons about revenge, prejudice, war toys, or the power of love. Includes a study guide.

Rhythms of Peace 2. Video. Mennonite Media Productions, 1999.

Stories for children ages 8-11 that teach: When faced with escalating conflict, trusted friends can help; We grow stronger when we work together; We sometimes reject what we don't understand; Winning friends sometimes requires perseverance; and Heroes can help us learn how to make personal choices. Includes a study guide.

Stassen, Glen, editor. Just Peacemaking: Ten practices for abolishing war. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 1998.

Mapping a course for individuals, grassroots groups, voluntary associations, and religious organizations, this bold new book challenges pacifists to be peacemakers and just war theorists to spell out the resorts that should be tried before the last. It explores our intentions to restore a just and enduring peace - and what we must do to live up to those intentions. The book is a product of twenty-three scholars who have collaborated annually since 1992 to specify the practical steps and develop the undergirding principles of this critical approach.

Steiner, Susan Clemmer. Joining The Army That Sheds No Blood. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1991.

This book looks at what is wrong with the world as it is, explores how Jesus shows the way of peace, and makes connections between Jesus and ourselves as members of the army that sheds no blood (a great company of Christian peacemakers). It also looks at arguments against Christian peacemaking and summarizes what Christian peacemakers do and the beliefs which undergird our actions. Each chapter includes questions for review and reflection as well as helpful bibliographies.

Volf, Miroslav. Exclusion & Embrace: A theological exploration of identity, otherness, and reconciliation. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.

Increasingly we see that exclusion has become the primary sin, skewing our perceptions of reality and causing us to react out of fear and anger to all those who are not within our circle. In light of this, Christians must learn that salvation comes, not only as we are reconciled to God, and not only as we "learn to live with one another," but as we take the dangerous and costly step of opening ourselves to the other, of enfolding him or her in the same embrace with which we have been enfolded by God.

Wink, Walter. The Powers That Be: Theology for a new millennium. New York: Doubleday, 1998.

Walter Wink helps us reformulate our ancient religious concepts - such as God and Satan, angels and demons, principalities and powers. The Powers That Be is a book that will change the way you think about the world, your faith, and the connections between the two. This is not a book of doom, but of wondrous hope.

Yoder, Elwood. Life in the Kingdom. Harrisonburg: Plowshares Publications, 1997.

A workbook designed for use with youth and adults in youth group, congregational, and classroom settings. Life in the Kingdom is a beginning point for the study of the biblical basis for peace and nonresistance. Questions are designed to allow readers to reflect on the material and to invite them to state their own opinions. The workbook includes stories of young peacemakers from seven countries.

Yoder, Perry B. Shalom: The Bible's Word for Salvation, Justice, and Peace. Newton: Faith and Life, 1987.

The biblical challenge of shalom is one which ought to draw all Christians together in a common struggle so that God's will might be done and God's kingdom might come on earth as it is in heaven. The shalom maker, as a result, is involved in a mission of conversion - converting people to a new understanding and way of life. This conversion, based on God's love for them in Jesus, frees them from old patterns of thought.