Peacebuilding is Not an Option; it's the Essence of the Christian Calling
by Bryan Carey
“Peacebuilding is not an elective that you can choose from your church’s course offerings; it is the essence of our calling as Christians and the motivator for all we do.”
That feedback was one of many incredible responses we got from our last 6-week online small group: “Introduction to Christian Peacebuilding.” We had about 18-20 people consistently come from all around the world: Australia, Canada, Congo, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Sarajevo, Serbia, South Korea, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United States. This incredible group interacted with an incredible level of mutual care, vulnerability, and commitment to learn and apply peacebuilding theology, frameworks, and skills in their lives. These groups are such a source of inspiration, support, and encouragement to us!
Here are a few quotes that participants shared after we finished the small group:
“It was powerful to hear God’s heart for shalom and reconciliation in the world because it is such GOOD NEWS! This small group uses a range of engaging videos and articles to get Christians thinking and talking about the shalom of God.”
“So much to grapple with! This group has confirmed my personal sense of peacebuilding as vocation. I love the comprehensiveness of shalom theology – that it ‘brings together all that we are and do.’ It moves peacebuilding and development out of silos. It connects inner and outer peace/transformation.”
“I learned a lot through the course, but I think the most significant thing I learned was how central peacebuilding is to our calling as Christians – it’s not like an elective that you can choose from your church’s “course offerings” like children’s ministry or homeless ministry or women’s luncheons. It’s the essence of our calling as Christians and is the motivator behind children’s ministry, homeless ministry, and everything else. It’s the foundation of the gospel that we share.”
“It’s been challenging and immensely comforting to learn I’m not alone. There are others who have similar feelings about what’s happening in the world. Peacebuilders and shalom seekers have actionable ideas for how to experience - and spread - the transformation of anger and hatred into acceptance, mercy, compassion, and love.”
“If you find yourself wondering how your Church or faith community should respond to a world of division and widening polarization, I think this group will be encouraging and empowering for you. If you ever wondered what Jesus meant by the phrase, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ you will enjoy diving into this study and connecting with others during this small group.”
Personally, my greatest takeaway from the small group was about how accessible and inspirational this material is for those who are not Christians. We were honored to be joined by one peace activist who has taken the last few years to study one religious community per year and the resources that they have to contribute to peacebuilding. This year, he was looking at Christianity and the life of Jesus.
Not only did this peace activist have such incredible peacebuilding insights to share with our group each week, but time and time again, he was the most vocal, even evangelical (not in the political sense!), about how the content of this small group is such good news! Shalom — a theological lens for holistic just peace and flourishing relationships — brings such a coherence to the inner and outer work for holistic flourishing, both in our personal lives and our communities. To cultivate a community of praxis where we learn about peace-oriented theology and the interiority of peacebuilding while also grappling with peacebuilding frameworks and learning peacebuilding skills – this kind of group is needed everywhere.
If you missed our last Introduction to Christian Peacebuilding small group, you’re in luck, because we’ve got another one coming up in September. We meet online once a week for an hour and a half, and participation is free, so join us and invite anyone you think would be interested!
