A few weeks ago TIME magazine awarded its coveted "Man of the Year" award to four men: Nelson Mandela, F. W. DeKlerk, Yassir Arafat, and Yitzhak Rabin. The reason - they each made bold moves to promote peace where there had been long-standing conflict.

While you will probably never be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, you will have opportunities to play the role of peacemaker from time to time. When conflict occurs in your office here's what the Bible says to do:

• PLAN A PEACE CONFERENCE. Take the initiative. Don't wait for either the offended or the offender to make the first move. Conflict is always unpleasant so we naturally avoid facing it. Peacemakers break the deadlock. They know that conflict never resolves itself. It must be intentionally dealt with. "If...you remember your brother has something against you... go at once to make peace..." (Matt 5:23-24)

• EMPATHIZE WITH THEIR FEELINGS. Listen before you talk. Try to look at the situation from their viewpoint. Feelings are not right or wrong- they are just feelings. But they are important! "None of you should look only of his own affairs, but consider other people's interests also." (Phil. 2:4 Ph))

• ATTACK THE PROBLEM, NOT THE PERSON. Insults, accusations, and placing blame only make people defensive. You never get your point across by being cross. "A gentle answer quiets anger but a harsh one stirs it up." (Pr.15:1)

• COOPERATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Look for common areas you can agree on. Be willing to admit your mistakes. Be gracious with other's faults. "Do everything possible, on your part, to live at peace with all men." (Rom. 12:18)

• EMPHASIZE RECONCILIATION, NOT RESOLUTION. Some differences will never be resolved. But there can be honest disagreements without two parties being disagreeable. Resolution deals with issues. Reconciliation deals with relationships. "God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Cor. 5:18)

Until next week...

FOL#61