A Language of Healing for a Polarized Nation: Creating safe environments for conversations about race, politics, sexuality, and religion

by Wayne Jacobsen, Arnita Willis Taylor, Robert "Bob" L. Prater

Overview

Are you tired of all the animosity and vitriol that fill our society at every mention of politics or religion dividing us into two hostile camps on every possible side?  
So are we! We’re looking for others who want to change the dialogue from the rhetoric of polarizing animosity that is destroying the social fabric of our nation to a language of healing, where honest differences don’t have to destroy friendships. Then we can seek a broader common ground through mutual respect and compassion.
The Language of Healing will help you learn how to . . .
 

• See disagreement as an opportunity for growth and discovery.
• Change the temper of a hostile engagement or walk away.
• Share mutual respect even beyond our deepest differences.
• Become a peacemaker in your network of friends and family.

The book is divided into three main sections:

• An Opportune Moment. Why is this a particularly propitious moment to elevate the conversation, at least for the vast majority of Americans who are tired of those who manipulate them through fear and anger?
• Five Practices of a Peacemaker. What kind of conversation can lower the heat and increase the level of communication, especially where we hold significantly different views?
• Operating in Shared Space. Our deeply held views do not have to be subjugated to cooperate with others; we only have to endeavor to make as much space for their views as we want for ours.

The end of each chapter includes three practical suggestions readers can use to practice the language of healing in their own day-to-day interactions.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781734015300
Publisher:	Blue Sheep Media
Publication date:	11/19/2019
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.37(w) x 8.37(h) x (d)

About the Author

Wayne Jacobsen is a best-selling author (He Loves Me, Finding Church ,and co-author/publisher of The Shack). A former pastor, Wayne now hosts Lifestream.org, which provides resources for spiritual growth and a podcast at TheGodJourney.com both of which have inspired countless people to a more vibrant faith and a greater understanding of living in the church Jesus is building in the world. For over twenty-five years Wayne’s insight and humor have opened doors around the world whether it means resolving religious-liberty conflicts in public education, helping starving tribes in Kenya build a viable economy, or encouraging people to live more freely in the love and grace of God. He lives in Southern California with Sara, his wife of 44 years, where they both enjoy their adult children and grandchildren.


Arnita Willis Taylor is the founder of EIGHT Leadership Development Group, where she serves leaders by assisting individuals, teams, and organizations. She is a passionate communicator to enrich and empower others, and because she intentionally places herself in diversified settings she regularly teaches across racial, denominational, and gender lines. Arnita has a graduate degree in Leadership Development from Walden University. At home in Keller, Texas, she is the wife of 31 years to Michael and the proud and grateful mother of two sons, Evan and Nolan.


Robert L. “Bob” Prater is a former pastor and entertainment developer, as well as a lover of God and a lover of - and advocate for - people. With a background in business, media and ministry, he co-hosts the podcast, A Christian & A Muslim Walk into a Studio alongside American-Muslim leader, Emad Meerza.  Bob spends most of his time ministering among the poor, the LGBTQ community, Muslims, and others who are often marginalized in our culture. Bob and his wife, Danette, have three daughters, three sons-in-law and ten grandchildren and reside in Bakersfield, California.

 

Table of Contents

Section 1 An Opportune Moment

1 A Fork in the Road 25

2 What's in It for Me? 38

3 Pardon Me, Your Tribe Is Showing 49

4 The Symphony of Different 64

5 Staking Out the Common Ground 72

Section 2 Five Practices of a Peacemaker

6 Being Comfortable in Your Own Skin 89

7 Cultivating Compassion 100

8 Listen Up! 111

9 From My Good to Our Good 121

10 Willing to Be Disruptive 133

Section 3 Operating in Shared Space

11 Disarming the Binary Bomb 147

12 Bust Up Your Bias 158

13 Sharing the Table 170

14 Friendly Fire 180

15 Custodians of a Common Good 190

Editorial Reviews

The conversation taking place in A Language of Healingfor a Polarized Nation is one that needs to take place in coffee shops, board rooms, living rooms, around fire pits and water coolers, and in the office—especially if it’s an oval one. This book is a roadmap to compassion, understanding, and empathy at a time in which we seem to have lost the directions.” - Ernie Johnson, Jr., Sportscaster-TNT/TBS, Author of Unscripted
 

“A Language of Healing for a Polarized Nation is the book we need at this critical moment in our history. At a time when many Americans are reduced to shouting past one another, the authors of this volume – three thoughtful, compassionate citizens – give us a roadmap to restore civility and respect across even our deepest differences. Filled with honest dialogue, inspiring stories and practical advice, this compelling volume should be required reading for every American committed to seeking a common vision for the common good.” - Dr. Charles C. Haynes, Founding Director, Religious Freedom Center of The Freedom Forum Institute
 

“Making space to hear, to know, and to care for people “not in our tribe” may be one of the most urgent and transformative things we could be doing. In this bitterly divided era in American society and politics, may we, who seek to be Jesus-followers, live out our vocation as reconcilers and peacemakers with love and justice. A Language of Healing could be just the right practical help for our next steps at this important time.” - Mark Labberton, President, Fuller Theological Seminary

 
“In A Language of Healing, authors Wayne Jacobsen, Arnita Taylor and Bob Prater absorb the reader in compelling conversations around challenging topics often held as unapproachable in polite company: namely race, politics, sexuality, and religion. People today find it increasingly difficult to hold civil conversations around such hot topics, especially with those of a different “tribe.” The richness in this book is found in the authors’ divergence and consensus on finding “shared space” in the midst of tough topics and an increasingly uncivil society. While each writer brings differing backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to the table, all seem to find a rich common ground surrounding the most divisive problems in our culture today. This is a must-read for anyone who cares about healing the rifts in our world today.” -Dr. Jim J. Adams, President Emeritus, Life Pacific University 
 

“Somehow, in each stage of a nation's life, a special book always seems to come along that is perfectly matched for its times. Most often such a book comes from a most unlikely source. At this deeply troubled time when our nation is tearing itself apart with hateful rancor, a wise and winsome source of help and healing has arisen out of a providential friendship between these three people. Bottom line: Our basic humanity will knit us all together in reasonable and workable harmony if we will dare to give friendship a chance.” - Don Clark, Former CBS News Anchor and current host of Open Up Live 

 

From the Publisher