Injustice and oppression on either the personal or social level are contrary to the vision of shalom. We believe that diversity in creation and humankind is a gift from God to challenge and to enrich us. Celebrating our common vision and our diversity, we are called into community. Community is the crucible in which we learn to dialogue, to embrace diversity, and to seek to define the ethic of an active love. We believe that conflict is a normal part of life and is, in fact, necessary for personal and social development.
Conflict is a spiritual issue.
When it is addressed constructively, conflict can provide opportunities for growth, new understanding and transformation. We believe that harm and violation are contrary to God's will. Often this means not a return to the status quo but an improvement that addresses existing injustices and promotes growth, new understanding and transformation. We believe that we are called to look to God's action in Christ as normative. Through covenant renewal and grace, God moves beyond wrath to the restoration of relationships.