Small Wars: An Insider's Guide to Resolving Faith Community Conflicts

Small Wars presents a conflict interventionist’s insights gained from fifty years of experience working with internal organizational and faith community disputes. Dr. Darrell Puls takes readers into the heart of these conflicts as he has encountered them across the United States, offering practical strategies to analyze their roots and implement tailored interventions. Recognizing the intricate nature of faith community conflicts, Small Wars explores how minor tensions can rapidly escalate into full-blown crises. Rather than viewing these disputes as mere problems, Puls approaches them as learning opportunities, emphasizing that those involved often already hold the solutions—they just need guidance in articulating them. Challenging conventional conflict resolution methods, Puls contends that traditional settlement agreements fall short of true resolution, merely pausing conflicts rather than resolving them. While such agreements may temporarily suppress tensions, unresolved issues tend to resurface more intensely. The only lasting, scriptural solution, he argues, is the intentional rebuilding of relationships damaged by conflict. Through accessible techniques that anyone can learn, Small Wars empowers readers to become effective peacemakers without requiring extensive formal training. Read more