LATEST POSTS

THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

Building Solidarity and Being Neighbors (the Jesus Way)

If I could boil down my desire for our churches and communities into one word, I think it would be solidarity. Sometimes God teaches us how to build solidarity with one another by following his call for solidarity with the “other” - the wounded, oppressed, marginalized, widow, orphan, and even enemy. In the end, as we embark on a spiritual journey of solidarity with our neighbor, we will also find deeper solidarity with God, because we’re joining him in the work he’s already about and agreeing to meet him where he calls us.


Read More
THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

The God Who Weeps

This summer at the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference in Palestine, I heard so many stories full of so much pain. But the thing is, I didn’t experience any of the events told in the stories. And when this happens, there are two possible responses. One response is to say, “well that didn’t happen to me, so why should I care?” Another response is to feel the pain as if it were my own and weep.

Read More
THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

Blessed are the Peacemakers: How does the Sermon on the Mount Invite Peacemakers to Live?

True peace is not just an absence of conflict or violence; it means that relationships have been restored both individually and collectively, both personally and in society. Tragically, this lack of true peace does not just exist outside of churches. This also exists within churches and other institutions of the Christian faith, even though these entities are supposed to be places of safety, healing and restoration, and reflections of God’s Kingdom found in what the Sermon on the Mount describes - a deeply profound, “Good News” Kingdom.

Read More
HUMAN RIGHTS, THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson HUMAN RIGHTS, THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

Reflections from Christ at the Checkpoint: What side of history will we be on?

Christ at the Checkpoint was by far the most impactful conference I’ve ever attended. Nothing can compare to hearing from Palestinian Christians themselves at this particular moment of crisis. Even while these Palestinian Christian leaders affirmed their love for Jewish people and the depth of solidarity they feel from Jewish allies around the world, they spoke with authority and clarity to call western Christians to confront our own anti-Palestinian racism and the underlying Christian Zionism that results in harmful theological and political positions. So what can we do? Here are some resources.

Read More
THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

Peacebuilding: A More Christlike Witness

A few questions that we keep getting have to do with the relationship between peacebuilding and Christian witness. Is peacebuilding supposed to lead to witness? Does Christian witness simply not matter in light of so much division and conflict? What is Christian witness? Is it mainly about expressing religious convictions through our words? Or is it about serving as a living example of one’s faith? Read on to see our answers.

Read More
THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

Peacebuilding is Not an Option; it's the Essence of the Christian Calling

“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,” and we have another group coming up in September. Read what others are saying about it, and join us for the next one!

Read More
THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

Courageous Dialogue

We all encounter circumstances, people, and conversations that scare us. It is natural for our defenses to automatically kick into gear, preparing us to fight or escape at any cost. This is why I am amazed whenever I meet people who instead manage to pause their defense reactions long enough to engage their curiosity and seek to better understand their partner in conflict. This kind of dialogue is truly courageous.

Read More
THEOLOGY, TRAININGS Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY, TRAININGS Nicole Gibson

Christian Peacebuilding: Accessible on Both Sides of Theological & Political Aisles?

Over four weeks in the States while visiting family and friends, I was invited to preach or speak at a different church each weekend, in addition to speaking at several Christian small groups. The biggest takeaway that I have is how much American Christians are longing to hear about peacebuilding, and regardless of high levels of skepticism about how peacebuilding functions or whether it can be successful, Christians are interested to learn more and eager to put peacebuilding insights and skills into practice.

Read More
THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson THEOLOGY Nicole Gibson

Why Your Church Should Start Training for Peacebuilding Now

Although it’s best to train for peacebuilding before conflict arrives, conflicts are already present in our personal lives, churches, and society. The time to begin training for peacebuilding is now. It’s time to get started centering peace-oriented theology and peacebuilding skills training in our churches and Christian formation so that we can learn to partner as peacebuilders to bless and heal our communities.

Read More