Phelps provides a guide to reasoned discussion of such volatile Christian issues as homosexuality and the ordination of women. He begins by describing the elements involved in productive dialog and how it can be beneficial for both sides. As a Baptist pastor and community leader, Phelps brings real experience of such church conflicts to his writing, and as a weekly columnist he knows how to deliver his message in readable, persuasive prose. Phelps understands that these issues are important to Christians and that both sides are worthy of consideration. He is most interested in facilitating articulate, civil discussion so that points of difference can become sources of growth. He demonstrates how dialog can be promoted through the use of nonthreatening discussion techniques and gives examples of successful dialogs in various churches. Annotated lists of organizations and publications that facilitate dialog are included. A useful guide; recommended for public libraries.?C. Robert Nixon, MLS, Lafayette, IN
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"More Light, Less Heat shows us how to put concepts like faith, trust, and love into action through dialogue." —Annette Simmons, author of Territorial Games: Understanding and Ending Turf Wars at Work and president of Group Process Consulting
"So often the call to ?dialogue' masks a requirement that we set aside our deepest convictions on important questions. Joe Phelps cuts through that kind of superficiality with a wisdom and clarity that sheds much light on a difficult subject. This book should be required reading for everyone who is about to enter into a potentially divisive debate." —Richard Mouw, president, Fuller Theological Seminary
"As controversial issues continue to painfully divide the church, Joe Phelps has done a real service with this extraordinarily helpful guide to dialogue. More Light, Less Heat is just what most of us are looking for, and this book provides a road map for how to get there. I highly recommAnd it to all who are searching for ways to transform conflict into growth." —Jim Wallis, editor-in-chief, Sojourners
"In an era of intense political and religious polarization, this work offers grounds for and guidance toward honest, open conversation. It is an important resource for confronting the divisive issues that surround today's church." —Bill J. Leonard, dean, Divinity School, Wake Forest University
"I've rarely seen a better compilation of ideas, theories, working designs, and tools for working with the conflicts that separate us in churches and society. This book witnesses the growth?in just the past generation?of how God is leading us toward new, more constructive ways of living together." —Loren B. Mead, founding president, Alban Institute
"This conflict-experienced pastor writes with clarity and practicality, undergirded by broad scholarship, about the vital but woefully under used skills of dialogue in our churches. Just as two eyes provide depth to seeing, he suggests, so there is hope for growth and surprising new insight through our apparently intractable, inevitable basic conflicts--a perspective that encourages all of us fractious Christians to continue to stick together!" —Peggy L. Shriver, staff, National Council of Churches of Christ, U.S.A. and Donald W. Shriver, Jr., president emeritus, Union Theological Seminary
"Joe Phelps' excellent book cannot force any of us to And our mean-spirited debates around contentious issues, but it creates enormous thirst for the nourishing and healing water of genuine dialogue." —Carolyn Schrock-Shenk, director, Mennonite Conciliation Service
". . . shows how dialogue about a contested issue can be a conduit for God's spirit. All Christians who crave unity with people of differing viewpoints should read this much needed book." —Christian Bookselling Association Marketplace
