Are You Oil or Sand? Resolving Conflict in Christian Global Healthcare

• Main Author: David L. Stevens
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Health for All Nations 2015-01-01
• Series: Christian Journal for Global Health
• Subjects: conflict; conflict resolution; peace making; forgiveness; medical missions
• Online Access: http://journal.cjgh.org/index.php/cjgh/article/view/64/197

Drawing from his experience as a cross-cultural health worker in Africa and his roll in training others for similar missionary service, the author discusses common sources of conflict at a local level inside a larger pressure chamber of political differences, economic tensions, religious extremism, corruption, crime and even armed conflict. Almost all Christians serving in global healthcare are providing care in the midst of some level of conflict. Conflict at the interpersonal level ultimately impacts the effectiveness of teams, organizations, institutions, governments and nations. He gives practical wisdom on handling conflict toward productive, cooperative and sustainable work leading to widespread healing impact.