Peacemaker’s Pledge
The Board of Directors of EPA recommends that all member publications adopt the following pledge. Journalism, by its nature, leads to differences of opinion, which sometimes lead to conflict, which then leads to enmity between members of the Body of Christ. The pledge is not a substitute for seeking truth nor for standing firm on biblical principles. It is simply a means for keeping the parties to a conflict reconciled while working to resolve the conflict.
As people reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we believe that we are called to respond to conflict in a way that is remarkably different from the way the world deals with conflict (Matthew 5.9; Luke 6:27-36; Galatians 5:19-26). We also believe that conflict provides opportunities to glorify God, serve other people, and grow to be like Christ (Romans 8:28-29; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; James 1:2-4). Therefore, in response to God’s love and in reliance on his grace, we commit ourselves to respond to conflict according to the following principles.
Glorify God
Instead of focusing on our own desires or dwelling on what others may do, we will seek to please and honor God — by depending on his wisdom, power, and love; by faithfully obeying his commands; and by seeking to maintain a loving, merciful, and forgiving attitude (Psalm 37:1-6; Mark 11:25; John 14:15; Romans 12:17-21; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 4:2-9; Colossians 3:1-4; James 3:17- 18; 4:1-3; 1 Peter 2:12).
Get the log out of your own eye
Instead of attacking others or dwelling on their wrongs, we will take responsibility for our own contribution to conflicts — confessing our sins, asking God to help us change any attitudes and habits that lead to conflict, and seeking to repair any harm we have caused (Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 7:3- 5; Luke 19:8; Colossians 3:5-14; 1 John 1.8-9).
Go and show your brother his fault
Instead of pretending that conflict doesn’t exist or talking about others behind their backs, we will choose to overlook minor offenses or we will talk directly and graciously with those whose offenses seem too serious to overlook. When a conflict with another Christian cannot be resolved in private, we will ask others in the body of Christ to help us settle the matter in a biblical manner (Proverbs 19:1 1; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 6.1-8; Gal. 6: 1-2; Ephesians 4:29; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; James 5:9).
Go and be reconciled
Instead of accepting premature compromise or allowing relationships to wither, we will actively pursue genuine peace and reconciliation — forgiving others as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven us, and seeking just and mutually beneficial solutions to our differences (Matthew 5:23-24; 6:12; 7:12; Ephesians 4:1-3, 32; Philippians 2:3- 4).
By God’s grace, we will apply these principles as a matter of stewardship, realizing that conflict is an assignment, not an accident. We will remember that success, in God’s eyes, is not a matter of specific results but of faithful, dependent obedience. And we will pray that our service as peacemakers brings praise to our Lord and leads others to know His infinite love (Matthew 25:14-2 1; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:18; 1 Peter 2:19; 4:19).
(Reprinted by permission of Peacemaker Ministries)
