Transformative mediation seeks to empower parties during a dispute, rather than narrowly focusing only on the issues at stake. Empowering the parties enables each stakeholder to develop the means by which to seek solutions, change, and resolve the issues independently (Burgess, 1997). The benefit of transformative mediation is to change the nature of the discourse, to encourage empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. Because primary stakeholders reach the solution independently and with mutual respect, they are also more likely to perceive the results as being valid. Other core benefits to using transformative mediation include the willingness to patiently reach win-win conclusions rather than resort to unsatisfying compromises that leave resentment, misunderstanding, and other lingering issues.Naturally, the limitations of transformative mediation is that it has a long-range focus, requires a lot of time and willingness on the part of both parties to cultivate the emotional or psychological mindset for transformation. Transformative mediation may not be effective at resolving immediate crises requiring immediate resolutions.

However, transformative mediation does correspond with a Biblical worldview. The Biblical worldview encourages a humble approach to conflict resolution, whereby parties involved in the dispute subsume their will to the will of God: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9). The slow and painstaking process of transformative mediation...

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,” (James 1:19). The Bible also repeatedly underscores the importance of mutual respect, recognition, and the golden rule: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets,” (Matthew 7:12). Transformative mediation encourages an overall attitude of love and respect, which sets the stage for future conflict resolution. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves,” (Romans 12:10). The mediator is needed to initiate the process of communication, but eventually the mediator takes a back seat and empowers the party to make decisions through God’s grace. Transformative mediation may work best when both parties can be aligned to Biblical principles.
References

Bible: NIV.

Burgess, H. (1997). Transformative mediation. https://www.colorado.edu/conflict/transform/tmall.htm

Assignment 2

Discussion 1

The concept of the paradigm shift is appropriate when addressing transformative mediation. Through the process of transformative mediation, the parties involved develop additional skills they can apply to future conflicts, making this an essential skill to have in organizations or situations where conflict is inevitable. From a Biblical perspective, it is also important to remember the big picture issues of conflict resolution, because focusing too…