The local church ought to be a place where people can bring the deepest issues of their lives. Too often, fear of controversy prevents this, undermines both pastoral and prophetic ministry, and robs the congregation of vital energies. How can controversial public issues be engaged in ways that enhance congregational life? Here are some approaches that may help congregations deal with public issues—specifically war, peace, and terrorism—in a post 9/11 context.

Leaders in mainline denominations have often spoken out against war, but can local congregations wrestle with the mandate of reconciliation when congregational members may have loved ones facing combat? Can messages of hope, love, and forgiveness be heard without partisan overtones when we are at war? Can people express concerns about terrorism without creating enemies? Can the congregation be a community where fear for the future is named without retreat into "security concerns" or a simplistic reassurance that God (or right, or history) is on our side?

Twenty years ago we experimented with a workshop design called "Peacemaking Without Division." Our purpose was to explore approaches for dealing with "peacemaking" issues in congregational life. The workshops were used in both denominational and ecumenical settings with both clergy and lay participation. The format was based on an explicit model of human development. We have found that the basic theoretical model can be used to discuss many controversial issues. However, the book, "Peacemaking Without Division," went out of print because nuclear disarmament—the issue used to illustrate the method—became "dated" after the end of the Cold War. Here we present a modified version of that material in a readily accessible format to help congregations deal with 21st century issues of terrorism, war, and peace.