Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
In this installment of the Summer Forum program, conflict mediator Chad Ford explains how genuine peacemaking requires overcoming fear, seeing the humanity of one's opponents, and breaking cycles of retaliation. Drawing on Jesus’s teachings, he shows how cycles of conflict persist when both sides wait for the other to change first, and how peace becomes possible only when someone risks going first with compassion, accountability, and openness. Citing global examples and wisdom from conflict-resolution research, Ford argues that all people share a deep need to be seen, heard, and treated fairly, and that honoring this dignity is the essential glue that makes peace achievable.
Chad Ford, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Utah State University, is an international conflict mediator who has worked extensively in global religious and political conflicts, specializing in intercultural and religious peace-building. Chad's book, 'Dangerous Love: Transforming Fear and Conflict at Home, at Work, and in the World,' has been described as the "single best book about conflict and peace for a general readership." He has made more than 50 trips to the Middle East and has worked as a mediator and facilitator on numerous other conflicts around the world.
Recorded on August 24, 2025 at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to Barbara Taylor Erickson for hosting this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Welcome – Barbara Taylor Erickson
00:45 Chalice Lighting – Jessica French
01:34 Introduction of Guest Speaker – Barbara Taylor Erickson
03:40 Presentation – Chad Ford
1:00:19 Collection – Barbara Taylor Erickson
1:00:34 Q & A with Chad Ford
1:19:50 End Credits
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends like you.
→ Donate here: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ War/Violence: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZapQ9gZMiDebHsk_vGRAS2B
In this installment of the Summer Forum program, conflict mediator Chad Ford explains how genuine peacemaking requires overcoming fear, seeing the humanity of one's opponents, and breaking cycles of retaliation. Drawing on Jesus’s teachings, he shows how cycles of conflict persist when both sides wait for the other to change first, and how peace becomes possible only when someone risks going first with compassion, accountability, and openness. Citing global examples and wisdom from conflict-resolution research, Ford argues that all people share a deep need to be seen, heard, and treated fairly, and that honoring this dignity is the essential glue that makes peace achievable.
Chad Ford, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Utah State University, is an international conflict mediator who has worked extensively in global religious and political conflicts, specializing in intercultural and religious peace-building. Chad's book, 'Dangerous Love: Transforming Fear and Conflict at Home, at Work, and in the World,' has been described as the "single best book about conflict and peace for a general readership." He has made more than 50 trips to the Middle East and has worked as a mediator and facilitator on numerous other conflicts around the world.
Recorded on August 24, 2025 at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. Special thanks to Barbara Taylor Erickson for hosting this installment of Summer Forum.
00:00 Introduction
00:22 Welcome – Barbara Taylor Erickson
00:45 Chalice Lighting – Jessica French
01:34 Introduction of Guest Speaker – Barbara Taylor Erickson
03:40 Presentation – Chad Ford
1:00:19 Collection – Barbara Taylor Erickson
1:00:34 Q & A with Chad Ford
1:19:50 End Credits
🌎 First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
→ Website: slcuu.org
→ Facebook: facebook.com/firstuuslc
→ YouTube: youtube.com/FirstUUSLC
🙏 Summer Forum and the other programs at First Unitarian Church are supported entirely by the financial contributions of members and friends like you.
→ Donate here: slcuu.org/give
🎬 Related video topics from First Unitarian Church
→ More Summer Forum presentations: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZYtna6Mor0EyGIWIA2yn1Fu
→ War/Violence: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLouELW-J6FZapQ9gZMiDebHsk_vGRAS2B
