Managing Church Conflict [Paperback]

Hugh F. Halverstadt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1991

In this instructive book, Hugh Halverstadt advocates a Christian vision of shalom for an ethical process of conflict management. He shows how respectfulness, assertiveness, accountability, and a focus on the larger common good should all serve as Christian behavioral standards. The book is ideal for addressing ministries, church systems, and other nonprofit organizations in conflict.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hugh F. Halverstadt is Professor Emeritus of Ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of Making Ministry Covenants: Putting the Priesthood of All Believers into Practice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664251854
• ISBN-13: 978-0664251857
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,997 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Digest This Book and Strengthen Your Ministry!, February 14, 2002

By 

Dr. Carlus Gupton "www.lifeandleadership.com" (Knoxville, Tennessee United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Managing Church Conflict (Paperback)

First published in 1991, this has become a standard work on understanding church conflict. It is in a different category than Ken Sande's "The Peacemaker" (also an excellent book). Sande writes to equip individual Christians to follow Christ in resolving interpersonal conflicts. Halverstadt, however, addresses the more complex dynamics of congregational conflict. Halverstadt's vision for peaceful churches is based on God's shalom, and he integrates this theology with insights from family systems theory and organizational development. The book is organized according to an in-depth Flow Chart for Managing Church Conflict that presents almost every conceivable conflict scenario and suggests detailed procedures. This is a book of high density, but there is no substitute. It is required reading for anyone who wants to understand congregational conflict.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Standard Handbook for Managing Church Conflict, April 20, 2007

By 

Leonard Wee (Durham, UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Managing Church Conflict (Paperback)

The key strength of this book is that it adopts a systems approach in dealing with church conflict, and advocates mobilising community resources in conflict resolution. Bystanders are not passive. They should hold the parties involved accountable in working towards a win/win resolution and to "fight fair". The flow chart also provides an excellent framework, not only to deal with the conflict situation, but also to build on one's conflict management skills through other readings or training. For example, another book by Charles Cosgrove and Dennis Hatfield, entitled "Church Conflict: The Hidden Systems Behind the Fights," provides more insights into the contextual factors in the conflict that would fit neatly into Halverstadt's overall framework. The framework serves as an excellent structure for further development and learning. One weakness of the book actually lies in its theological exposition, especially in the early chapters where the biblical foundation is being explained. The underlying theological perspective does not seem to square with current evangelical theological thinking, even though the author claims to be a Presbyterian. Nevertheless, this is an indispensible book to have for those who wish to read more about this area. I use it over the last four years as a standard text in a Bible college class that I teach. The book is a product of the author's experience in dealing with denomination-wide and church-wide conflicts within the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) over the years.

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful, August 11, 2009

By 

Verla Miller (Salida, CO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Managing Church Conflict (Paperback)

I haven't completely read this yet but will find it usefull for my use as a minister.