Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict

Your friends add a lot to your life---but what do you do when things go wrong? In Peacemaking Women, Tara Barthel and Judy Dabler show you how to avoid gossip, bitterness, and spiteful actions as you look for resolutions that demonstrate Christ to believers and unbelievers alike. Filled with biblical guidance and practical advice for resolving conflicts and finding life-changing reconciliation! 352 pages, softcover, Baker.

As professional Christian conciliators, Barthel and Dabler have seen individuals struggle with addiction, friendship and sexual sin; they've seen churches on the verge of schism, looming lawsuits and businesses gone awry. Now they apply principles of reconciliation and peace specifically to women because many Christian women today are not at peace. They urge women to become true peacemakers through repentance, faith, and rightful worship of God alone. Readers will find information on resolving conflicts with God first, then others, then themselves. The authors address the areas of marriage, family and the church, as well as conflicts arising from idolatry, suffering, shame, depression and fear. They use the Bible as the authority on resolving conflict, offering broad biblical concepts in place of how-to lists and step-by-step instruction. Each chapter includes questions for reflection and a resource list, and real-life examples appear throughout, including the authors own conflicts in writing the book. It is, however, a long-winded, back-door approach to the subject that seems to struggle with what it really is: a book about conflict resolution or a book about taking that resolution one step further to become proactive, peace-making women. There is plenty of good information about conflict, and a sound biblical foundation, but not enough specifics on how women can live in peace day by day. Copyright 2005 Publishers Weekly

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Sandie Shubert (Loganville, Ga.), January 05, 2007

I bought this book because I am always trying to say and do the right thing to help others. I seen it as a good book for everyone else,( you know when you hear a message and it's always for someone else). This book has brought me to my knees alot asking for forgiveness.I have alot to learn as a peacemaker. I have shared this with my sister, she is a leader in a women's bible study and believes this would be a great study.This is a book for all people.It will make you take that second look in the mirror at yourself.I had to ask myself am I a peacemaker? Thank you Sandie

Reviewed by Connie IannelliSmith (Goose Creek, SC), January 16, 2006

Tara Barthel succeeds in showing women how peacemaking starts within ourselves, our own hearts and then flows outward into our relationships through the never ending grace of God. This book goes beyond the mere thought of Peacemaking and gives a hands-on, honest application of how we can become Peacemaking Women.

Reviewed by Alice Pendell (Magalia California), January 13, 2006

Because of the hectic world we all live in, most of us are looking for ways to find Peace. She not only clarified the variety of issues that can cause everyday conflict, she outlined necessary steps to correct it... Our choice. I appreciated the set of questions that followed each chapter, helping to guide you in your individual quest to apply the teachings to yourself. I deeply appreciated her vunerability in sharing her own personal issues. It helped me to understand that I wasn't the only one going through that particular conflict. I have been able to not only use this in my own personal life but to help other women develop these skills. It is a book to be read again and again because of its relevancy. I am reading it for the third time and have discovered new teachings. It is a book worth having in a personal library.

Reviewed by Jana Peterson (Meridian, ID), January 09, 2006

I purchased this book thinking it would be good reading, but found it to be much more. My friends want to borrow the book and I'd rather just buy them a copy of their own as I've found this to be a key resource for working through and handling the conflicts I've had with others. Strong, Biblical, gentle, wise. I highly recommend this to anyone!

Reviewed by L Johnson (Greenville, SC), December 20, 2005

As Christians we are to be a reflection of Jesus…a community of grace living out the purpose and personality of Jesus in our world. It is in relationships that others see Christ. But how do we do this in a world filled with strife and conflict…conflict in our marriages, our friendships, our churches…conflicts with God and conflicts within (shame, depression, fear)? Tara Barthel and Judy Dabler do an incredible job of showing us that we are called to be peacemaking women and “we become true peacemakers through repentance, faith and rightful worship of God alone.” This book does not give A-B-C’s to becoming a happy and peaceful woman. The authors are quick to admit that the journey to becoming a peacemaking woman is not an easy one, but it is possible. The book is full of scripture, scripture-based prayers and an extensive list of resources for further study. The discussion questions are not like the typical “fluff” that you find in many books…they encourage you to dig deep. Tara and Judy are more transparent than most authors and have already encouraged me to be more transparent myself. These ladies have worked through some tough conflicts themselves and are quick to share the lessons they have learned. The chapter on Female Leaders with Strong Personalities was perhaps the best I have read on the subject. This is not a book you read once and then put it on your shelf. Even though I had a hard time putting it down, I found myself needing to stop and reflect on an illustration, statement or Biblical reference. This is a book that I will turn to again and again and will share with others. I have already given it to several friends and am planning discussion groups around it in our church. I wish it had been around 20 years ago! Thank you for sharing your hearts, Tara and Judy!

Reviewed by Jerry & Ann (Paradise, Ca.), August 24, 2005

This book was so influential that several ladies are going through it together as a study trying to put the biblical ways into practice.

Reviewed by Lilly of the Valley (colorado Springs), July 27, 2005

I found the author and co-author to be candid,funny, and full of wisdom in providing for women a path out of confict not only internally but in their relationships. It contains some very thought-provoking and soul-searching questions at the end of each chapter so can be used for personal study as well and for small groups. Read it, apply it, it works!

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Author: Tara Klena Barthel
Located in: Billings, Montana
Submitted: July 09, 2005

    Tell us a little about yourself.  Tara Klena Barthel formerly served as the Director of the Institute for Christian Conciliation, a division of Peacemaker Ministries. As such, she oversaw the delivery of all conciliation services and advanced conciliator training. Currently, she serves her family as a homemaker while regularly mediating, speaking, and writing on biblical peacemaking. Baker Book House Co. published her first book in June 2005: Peacemaking Women—Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict. Prior to joining the staff of Peacemaker Ministries, Tara worked as an attorney and business consultant in Chicago. Tara, Fred, and their daughter Sophia Grace are members of Rocky Mountain Community Church (PCA). Judy Dabler is the executive director of the Center for Biblical Counseling & Education a ministry of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church (PCA) in St. Louis, and is a mentor and Certified Christian Conciliator™ with the Institute for Christian Conciliation™, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries. Dabler also serves as visiting professor in practical theology at Covenant Theological Seminary. A licensed professional counselor and a national certified counselor, Dabler is pursuing her Ph.D. in educational studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and holds an M.A. in theological studies and an M.A. in counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  We wrote it for Christian women who are lonely, hurting, and not at peace. Peacemaking Women offers practical and biblical hope because it systematically applies the peacemaking passages of the Bible to hundreds of real-life conflicts in order to give its readers the help they need to experience real peace with God, others, and within.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  We pray that women will learn how to turn any conflict into an opportunity to build deeper and closer relationships. And we pray that instead of trying to "work harder" in their own strength, women will rest more fully and confidently in the redeeming work of Christ.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  “This book tells the truth. The authors know the struggles of women and they offer hope rooted in God's Word to transform conflict into grace in lives, families, churches, and communities.” Charles W. Colson Prison Fellowship “If I could put one book in the hands of every Christian woman, in addition to the Bible, it would be this one. The book is marked by courage, vulnerability, integrity, respect, variety, and scholarship. It is a delight to read and a joy to ponder. Reading it has been beneficial to me as I am sure it will be to many.” Dr. Laura Mae Gardner Past Vice-President, Wycliffe International “Peacemaking Women is not just for women and is not just about peacemaking.” Bryan Chapell Covenant Seminary “This bold and compelling book by two wise Christian mediators and peacemakers is a tour de force in offering a pathway for rebuilding broken relationships.” Dan B. Allender Ph.D President, Mars Hill Graduate School Author, The Wounded Heart and To Be Told

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  Peacemaking Women is unique because it combines rigorously biblical, scripturally sound counsel with practical and engaging illustrations in order to make the principles clear and applicable to real-life. Questions for reflection, scriptural prayers, and recommended resources at the end of each chapter help you to actually apply the material and make the book ideal for personal reflection and use in a small- group study.

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