by Christena Cleveland (Author)

Leadership Journal Book Award
Readers' Choice Awards Honorable Mention

Despite Jesus' prayer that all Christians "be one," divisions have been epidemic in the body of Christ from the beginning to the present. We cluster in theological groups, gender groups, age groups, ethnic groups, educational and economic groups. We criticize freely those who disagree with us, don't look like us, don't act like us and don't even like what we like.

Though we may think we know why this happens, Christena Cleveland says we probably don't. In this eye-opening book, learn the hidden reasons behind conflict and divisions. Learn:

• Why I think all my friends are unique but those in other groups are all the same
• Why little differences often become big sources of conflict
• Why categorizing others is often automatic and helpful but can also have sinister side effects
• Why we are so often victims of groupthink and how we can avoid it
• Why women think men are judging them more negatively than men actually are, and vice versa
• Why choices of language can actually affect unity

With a personal touch and the trained eye of a social psychologist, Cleveland brings to bear the latest studies and research on the unseen dynamics at work that tend to separate us from others. Learn why Christians who have a heart for unity have such a hard time actually uniting. The author provides real insight for ministry leaders who have attempted to build bridges across boundaries.

Here are the tools we need to understand how we can overcome the hidden forces that divide us.

Author Biography

Christena Cleveland (Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara) is a social psychologist who teaches at St. Catherine University. She is an award-winning researcher and gifted teacher who brings organizational experience to her efforts to build unity. She consults with pastors and organizational leaders on multicultural issues and speaks regularly at organizations, churches, conferences, universities and schools.