The Peace Pursuit Model

A clear, practical, and accessible model of biblical peacemaking

One reason many sincere Christians don’t resolve their relational problems is that they don’t know how to begin.  The Peace Pursuit ModelTM provides biblical and user-friendly tools to help Christians take clear steps toward appropriate confession and forgiveness between two people.

  • The Peace Pursuit Model is built on numerous Bible passages and the biblical values summarized in the Five Pillars of Peace Pursuit and the P.E.A.C.E. Principles.
  • Peace Pursuit prepares you to have conversations rather than confrontations.
  • The roles and stages of Peace Pursuit help you reach peace by involving only as many people and as much emotional energy as necessary.
  • You only proceed from one Peace Pursuit stage to another if appropriate.

For practical tools, guidance, and answers to dozens of Frequently Asked Questions, check out the Peace Pursuit Handbook.

The earlier, the better:  Stages 1 and 2

The Peace Pursuit Model is designed so that you reach relational reconciliation at the lowest possible stage.  The great majority of people who use the Peace Pursuit Model resolve their conflicts at Stage 1 or 2.

If you are a party in a relational problem, or if you want to help two other people resolve their conflict, you can take these steps forward:

  • Choose your appropriate role in the Peace Pursuit QUICK START GUIDE.  The QUICK START GUIDE covers the four most common roles and the first two stages of the Peace Pursuit Model.
  • Follow your role icon and meet with God at Stage 1.  This may take you some time, and spending time with God is always good.
  • Decide if it is appropriate for you to have a Stage 2 conversation.  This depends on your role and your time with God at Stage 1.
  • If appropriate, meet with the other person for confession and forgiveness.  “Meet with the other person” means to converse or communicate in the way, place, and time which will create the most effective environment for each person to humbly and honestly reach appropriate confession and forgiveness.  How this environment is created can depend on cultural norms and various circumstances.

Our experience shows that if both parties in a conflict prayerfully, thoughtfully, and sincerely complete Stages 1 and 2 in the Quick Start Guide, they will reach appropriate confession and forgiveness in the great majority of situations.

When you need help:  Stage 3

Occasionally two people need to go beyond Stage 2 to resolve their conflict.  That doesn’t mean they are bad people; they just need some help. They can ask someone to fill the Peace Pursuit role of witness or mediator at Stage 3.

If both parties and the witness or mediator fulfill their Peace Pursuit roles at Stage 3, they will almost always reach appropriate confession and forgiveness.

For extraordinary situations:  Stages 4, 5, and 6

These stages are only for those rare occasions when a person has not understood or accepted wisdom from godly and loving sisters and brothers who have appropriately processed Peace Pursuit Stages 1 through 3.  These stages demonstrate a special commitment of love, patience, and an investment of valuable resources for that person by his or her community to reconcile him or her to God and others.