Conflict Transformation
Whether in the home, school, community, church, or workplace, conflict is inevitable. The ability to address conflict in a win-win manner and to bring healing to broken relationships is crucial for all, particularly for leaders in the church.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
We offer webinars, single-day workshops, and multi-day seminars on a variety of Christian peace and justice issues, including training events that help churches discover how conflict can be an opportunity for spiritual growth and reconciliation.
Mediation Training
We provide mediation services where conflict has created division within the church, clouded its vision, and derailed its mission. We can help you confront those challenges that prevent your congregation from becoming all that God intends it to be.
Who We Are
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center seeks to proclaim Christ’s good news, the gospel of peace and justice, and to be active in the sacred ministry of reconciliation, wherever and whenever we can.
What We Do
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center provides speakers and education resources for churches of all denominations on biblical peace and justice issues, as well as conflict transformation skills training and training for church leaders grounded in family systems theory. We also provide mediation and consultation services for churches, schools, and other organizations.
Get Involved
Ask us questions. Explore our website further. Register for a workshop. Encourage a friend to register also. Purchase a book. Make a donation. Suggest to your church that they sponsor one of our workshops. Healing and reconciliation can begin only when you take the next step!
New Workshop Introduction: Restorative Conversations: Storytelling, Healing and Community Building
This one-day workshop introduces church leaders to the key concepts of circle processes and ways in which circles can be used within their congregations. Restorative conversations are useful when working through difficult or polarizing topics, processing shared painful experiences, building community, and dealing with certain levels of conflict in the church setting. The workshop covers the historical roots, biblical foundations, and core values and beliefs of restorative conversations. In addition, the key elements of circle processes will be demonstrated for participants by engaging in circle processes during the workshop. The workshop will benefit all levels of leadership including pastors, lay leaders, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers. Limit of 20 participants per session.
The Wait is Over! Announcing the Peacemaker's Pilgrimage to the Holy Lands 2024
After five years, the pilgrimage through the Holy Lands led by Richard Blackburn will be open again! This pilgrimage will include:
- Jerusalem: Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, the Old City, Via Dolorosa, Yad Vashem, Sabeel:
Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center, and much more… - Bethlehem: Church of the Nativity, Shepherds’ Field, Community Peacemaker Teams in
Hebron, Diyar Consortium, the ministries founded by Rev. Mitri Raheb, Wi’am, the Palestinian
Conflict Resolution Center. - Galilee: Nazareth, Cana, Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves, Church of the Beatitudes,
Church of the Primacy of Peter, Capernaum, Mount Tabor, and other sites, including a boat
ride on the Sea of Galilee and more…
To find out more, view this flyer and this itinerary. Reach out to Richard Blackburn to make your interest known and to be one of the first people to sign up!
Introducing: A New Contracted Training Workshop, Pastoral Transitions
When a church goes through a transition of leadership, often times anxiety is felt
among staff and the whole of the congregation. An anxious church is limited in
promoting the work of the Gospel. If you and your church find yourself in the midst
of a pastoral transition, consider hiring the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center for
this two-hour workshop to help you navigate this transition well. Click here to find out more!
LMPC Events Calendar for 2023
We have a number of events from which to choose, both single-day and multi-day, both in-person and online. Make plans now to attend traditional favorites like Conflict Transformation Skills, Healthy Congregations, Mediation Skills Training Institute, Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process , and/or Advanced Clergy Clinic. We are also pleased to introduce Restorative Conversations, a new one-day workshop led by Dr. Devon Miller, Associate Director of LMPC. Multiple sessions of each workshop are available. Please consult this preliminary LMPC 2023 Calendar for events and dates.