“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”  
  Matthew 5:9

Becoming a peacemaker is an intentional decision to learn and practice conflict resolution skills that apply Scripture and lead to deeper relational understanding of ourselves, others, and above all, God.

Peacemakers depend on the whole Word of God. The heart of peacemaking is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. All solutions are rooted in the promises and precepts in the Old and New Testament and no resolutions restore hope and faith without it.

Peacemaking is a mission field. Every human being has conflict. It is a universal incentive for finding solutions for change and, when the love of God is at the core, these solutions result in healthy transformative life changes.

Peacemaking unites a church.  A culture of peacemaking is a Philippians 2 experience of living in one accord. 

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

A “Matthew 5:9 Peacemaking Church” embraces every opportunity to understand and resolve unhealthy friction.  A peacemaking church is unafraid of conflict and counts it a privilege to speak a language of grace, confession, and forgiveness with bold lovingkindness. They understand the damage of heart idols, strongholds, and sin and offer as a replacement an opportunity for a new Christ-centered way to approach problems. They study the art of godly peacemaking and join in prayer for the family, church, and business relationships within the church and local community. They are ready and prepared to assist families and communities with questions about conflict resolution in a biblically faithful manner.

Peacemaking is God’s opportunity to be central in all relationships. We are continuously in relationship with ourselves, others, and God.  Peacemakers are trained to see how conflict can split, fracture, and ruin relationships for decades, even to the next generation.  Peacemakers can step in through coaching, mediation, and arbitration to provide the help needed to restore Christ into the center of a problem so that His power reigns, rather than the conflict.

Being a peacemaker will change you.  Your studies as a peacemaker will bring personal reflection and even a spiritual battle that will challenge you.  This is why we recommend that you not be a solo peacemaker.  We’d like you to follow through to certification and be a part of the decades-long peacemaking fellowship through the ICC. 

Consider initiating a church team— and learn biblical peacemaking together.  It is a remarkable adventure that changes us all and brings vitality to the mission of Matthew 5:9. 

Welcome!  We pray that you will become a part of the ICC and that the Lord will reveal an amazing journey ahead as you see what the Lord will do. (Galatians 5:22-23)