Conflict in our Lives & Churches

Conflict is inevitable in our lives. It happens in our families, our workplaces, and yes, even churches. As a pastor I have experienced conflict within the church and have also discovered I have a lot to learn about resolving conflict.  Conflict within the church has harmed relationships, moved pastors to leave ministry and even bring about the death of a church.  People leave over conflict, people are painfully hurt by conflict and unfortunately most conflict doesn’t get resolved in a healthy manner.

The Covenant Keepers Team went through six months of conflict training to help churches and members in the conflicts they face.  We discovered and learned much but most importantly we discovered that many of the answers need to resolve conflict are within our scriptures.

A book that I read and am re-reading again is entitled “Resolving everyday Conflict” by Ken Sande & Kevin Johnson.  I would highly recommend if you are in the midst of a conflict right now, get the book.  

“Conflict happens when you are at odds with another person over what you think, want or do.  Conflict happens among Christians because our sinful self, gladly cooperates with messages that say, “I can have whatever I want.”  Says Sande.

James 4:1-2 points out the source of conflict when he writes: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”

Next month we will talk more on ways to bring healing to conflicts.

Luke Schouten

UMV Covenant Keepers Team