{"id":2236,"date":"2019-03-14T14:46:37","date_gmt":"2019-03-14T14:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/?p=2236"},"modified":"2019-03-13T15:42:16","modified_gmt":"2019-03-13T15:42:16","slug":"conflict-in-the-congregation-roadblocks-that-lead-to-redirection-and-renewal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missions.nalcnetwork.com\/conflict-in-the-congregation-roadblocks-that-lead-to-redirection-and-renewal\/","title":{"rendered":"Conflict in the Congregation: Roadblocks that Lead to Redirection and Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cMay the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of<\/strong>\u00a0unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart<\/strong>\u00a0and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d \u00a0<\/strong>-Romans 15:5-6<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the greatest challenges in congregational life and mission is that of conflict. A study of 14,000+ congregations in 2000 indicated 75% experienced some level of conflict. In 2008, another study found that 74% of congregations were in conflict over leadership, money or finances. While a stable percentage, it is troubling to consider that at any given time, three- fourths of congregations are conflicted.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the 2000 study, the top reasons for conflict were member behavior, use and abuse of funds, worship, leadership styles, and decision-making. A study conducted in 2004 of Christian pastors by Christianity Today indicated top sources of conflict were control issues, vision\/direction, leadership changes, pastor\u2019s style, and finance. The good news is conflict over theology and doctrine was rather low\u2014the bad news is that conflict within the church, as within any human organization, is a part of life most of the time.<\/p>\n

In spite of the rampant conflict, however, pastors and congregations most often refuse to acknowledge conflict, deal with it openly and creatively, and fail to see it as an opportunity for redirection and renewal. Conflict in the church is not the roadblock, but the unwillingness to approach and address conflict positively is the real challenge, hindering mission and ministry. As in all human relationships, the key is to deal with conflict openly and creatively.<\/p>\n

The pathway forward in dealing with conflict in this way is honesty, clarity, good communication and a commitment to resolution for the sake of the whole. The goal is to develop a congregational climate in which conflict is embraced, when present, as a necessary means for redirecting life, ministry and behavior in positive ways so that renewal happens and mission and ministry are unhindered.<\/p>\n

Assessment Questions:<\/h4>\n