Managing Conflict Creatively (30th Anniversary Edition)
Donald C. Palmer served with Avant (previously called Gospel Missionary Union) for thirteen years as a missionary and a successful multi-generation church planter in Columbia. He also served on the GMU administrative staff for twenty-one years and as the general director for InFaith. He contributed to several publications and authored Explosion of People Evangelism.
What does the Bible say about conflict resolution?
Nobody likes conflict, especially when both parties are “part of the same team.” Unresolved conflict can lead to missionary attrition, but healthy conflict-resolution can be a wonderful growth opportunity, leading to problem-solving and team-building.
In Managing Conflict Creatively, Dr. Palmer first introduces the dynamics of conflict and the common styles of conflict management. After providing a Biblical background, he then identifies types of conflict and how to develop conflict management skills, specifically in cross-cultural situations. Lose your fear of conflict as you walk through case studies, engage in discussion questions, and learn to:
- Identify the stages of conflict and steps of healthy problem solving
- Encourage healthy conflict resolution in its early stages
- Identify your personal conflict style and the characteristics of an effective moderator
- Overreact less amid conflict
- Consciously choose a conflict-resolution style tailored to each situation
- Disagree well and resolve conflicts and misunderstandings without harming your witness
- Manage conflict in positive ways that foster growth and collaboration
This manual is intended to serve as a teaching tool and a study guide for cross-cultural conflict management courses in Bible colleges, mission organizations, and churches. Thirty years after its original publication, this practical, Bible-centered approach to the dynamics of conflict and conflict management in cross-cultural situations remains relevant, both abroad and in today’s hybrid cities.
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Palmer’s book evidences abundant understandings of cross-cultural conflict problems. No neophyte in missions, the author has mastered conflict management literature and subjected it to the realities of the extensive personal struggles existing both at home and overseas. This is a rich compendium of Biblical guidelines, styles of conflict management and their development, and the emergent cross-cultural factors that create a unique ethos in each context.
— Warren S. Benson, PhD
Foreword
Author’s Preface
Publisher’s Preface
Section I: The Dynamics of Conflict
Definition of Conflict
The Inevitability of Conflict
The Underlying Causes of Conflict
The Issues Involved in Conflict
The Four Types of Conflict
The Potential in Conflict
Conclusion
Section II: Styles of Conflict Management
The Five Styles of Conflict Management
Important Principles Regarding Styles
Conclusion
Section III: The Bible and Conflict
Types of Conflict in the Bible
Seven Biblical Passages on Conflict
Conclusion
Section IV: Development of Conflict Management Skills
Learn the Stages in the Conflict Cycle
Manage Conflict in Its First Stages
Develop an Effective Conflict Management Strategy
The Qualities and Role of a Referee
Case Study #1
Section V: Cross-Cultural Factors
Styles of Leadership
The Negotiation Process
Time Orientation
Direct Versus Indirect Approach
Decision-Making Process
Planning
Ten Recommendations
Case Study #2
Case Study #3
References
Author
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Donald C. Palmer
Donald C. Palmer
Donald C. Palmer served with Avant (previously called Gospel Missionary Union) for thirteen years as a missionary and a successful multi-generation church planter in Columbia. He also served on the GMU administrative staff for twenty-one years and as the general director for InFaith. He contributed to several publications and authored Explosion of People Evangelism.
- Pages: 126
- Publisher:
William Carey Publishing
William Carey Publishing
- Binding: paperback
- Publish Year: 2020
- Vendor: William Carey Publishing
