Conflict is inevitable in your church staff or ministry teams. Sometimes it can be a good thing and bring folks closer together, yet other times it can be very detrimental. How do you navigate that?
As I continue my reading of Whole Church, by Mel Lawrenz, he takes a chapter to cover conflict in the church. Lawrenz says in regards to conflict, “The holiness of the church does not derive from the holiness of its members [and staff], but from the holiness of its God and the holiness of the calling it has received from God.”
At the end of the chapter Lawrenz provides 25 ways to deal with conflict in your church. I’ve derived four ways to share with you. Hopefully these will help as we deal with conflict in our teams.
What works for you?
1. Who are you surrounding yourself with?
“As a leader, surround yourself with other mature people who are not contentious by nature and who place a high value on peace.”
2. What needs to be confronted?
“Think of one situation that you know has needed to be confronted for a long time, and take the next step.” (Titus 3:10)
3. Are you bringing it home?
“Watch out for bringing conflict in the church into your home and family. If there is reason to believe you are taking your frustrations out on your family, admit that to your family and come up with strategies to avoid this fatal pattern.”
4. Culture of idleness?
“Lead your congregation [and staff] into a culture of service (Phil. 2). Idleness leads to crankiness. Work leads to joy.”
*Photo taken from “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
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