July 22, 2014
David Roadcup, James Estep, and Gary Johnson have helped thousands of elders and ministers work together more productively. Their advice to resolve elder/staff conflict: “The first step is to admit you’re broken.” Click here to see their interview with CHRISTIAN STANDARD Editor Mark Taylor.
July 19, 2014
By Matt Proctor (From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I”ve Ever Received.”) I worked for a time at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and in a talk with church staff, senior minister Bob Russell once described the inevitability of conflict, “We”re not always going to get along. Someone said, “˜Where two or three are gathered in my name . . . there”s going to be an argument.”” He then pointed out the human tendency, in the midst of conflict, to suspect the worst about the other person. We assume their motives are malicious, or at least less-than-trustworthy.
December 28, 2013
By LeRoy Lawson X Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen, and Roger Fischer New York: Penguin Books, 1999 You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You”re Deluding Yourself David McRaney New York: Gotham, 2012 The Years of Lyndon Johnson: The Passage of Power Robert A. Caro New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012 “Pride goeth before a fall.” “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” “Just who do you think you are, anyway?” “Blessed are the meek,
June 17, 2013
By Eddie Lowen When staff members demonstrate these qualities, hang on to them. “Would you hire him again?” The question was asked by the lead pastor of a faraway church who was deep into the process of hiring away one of our ministers. After I answered, there was an awkward pause, and then he asked, “Are you serious?” Hiring staff is an intimidating responsibility for senior leaders of churches. While there aren”t many horrible people in ministry, there are plenty you don”t want. They survive by knowing how to talk a good game. So, be afraid””be very afraid””afraid enough, at
April 12, 2013
By Jim Dalrymple It has been said, “Wherever two or more are gathered, there will be conflict.” In today”s digital world, conflict speaks a new language. Yet text tapped out on a screen comes with limitations and liabilities. Let”s face it””e-mails do not convey vocal inflection, and text messages do not allow for body language. It is too easy to fire off e-mails like cannonballs from a ship. All too often such exchanges between two people also bring others into the battle. In my experience with conflict, it is hard to e-mail your way through Matthew 18. In Matthew 18:15-20,
April 7, 2013
By Tom Lawson So, how do you keep church conflict from impacting your home life? The short answer is you can”t. If you”re in church leadership, serious church conflict will, in various ways, impact your family life. Church leaders, however, are not alone in this. Nearly all employed adults in America experience tensions and conflicts in their workplace that, at times, spill over to impact their home life. Church conflicts have characteristics of both workplace conflicts and family feuds. They can be conflicts over power, programs, strategic direction, allocation of resources, and dysfunctional patterns of corporate communication. And some church
March 2, 2012
By Rick Chromey Leadership happens when we move people toward desired insights, attitudes, and behaviors. We all lead somebody, but in the church our skill to enact change, instill confidence, and reduce conflict often spells the difference between success or failure, promotion or termination, trust or skepticism. Naturally, the real question is how will you lead and flex your leadership style? Tom enjoys the spotlight. His winsome charisma captures his congregation”s heart. He enjoys risks, but Tom”s hasty decisions betray trust and create insecurity. His lack of discipline keeps Tom unfocused and unproductive. Rob also enjoys risk and change, but
August 16, 2010
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 22) is written by Thomas May who serves as discipleship minister with Eastside Christian Church, Jeffersonville, Indiana. Growing in Joy and Peace (Philippians 4:1-14) By Thomas May I recently moved into an office in a just-completed wing of the church building. If you visit, you will find two walls lined with scads of books collected over years of ministry and education. My desk is situated in the midst of the shelves so that when I prepare lessons and sermons, many of the books literally are at my fingertips. But in the
By Paul Alexander I”ve heard hundreds of sermons on marriage and family living. But one stands above the rest. Thirteen years ago the pastor of the largest Christian church in our area came to Hope International University and spoke at our chapel service. He had been asked to speak on the most important thing he could think of to prepare people to go out and serve the church and impact the world for Christ. He told us he had considered talking about ministry, trials, devotion to God, and other topics. But ultimately, he said, the most important thing he could
December 23, 2008
By Mark A. Taylor “Thanks, CHRISTIAN STANDARD, for being there,” one reader responded to our Year of the Elder survey published September 24. His comment was one of hundreds to support the conclusion in my first report on this survey two weeks ago: one year of articles for elders is not enough. About 400 of 600 respondents took time to give their specific answer to the question “What would help our elders do a better job?” Their replies indicate several ongoing needs among elders in our churches. Elders are facing””and sometimes failing to handle””conflict. Some replies show how disharmony is
November 16, 2008
By Darrel Rowland Does this sound like where your church is today? “I”ve never felt hindered by any of the elder teams I”ve served with.““”Greg Marksberry, 24-year veteran of the ministry now with his third church, Heritage Christian in suburban Atlanta “There is peace, joy, and happiness in the (elders) meetings and in the church.”“”Robin Hart, minister for almost 25 years with Northside Christian near Akron, Ohio “Just as children with two mutually supportive parents gain an extra measure of confidence and security, a church with mutually supportive elders and ministers has a sense of well-being that cannot be fostered
January 30, 2008
A Time survey said clergy are America’s happiest workers. Mark A. Taylor reflects on ministry’s pressures and why lasting joy often comes from serving others and offering hope in Jesus’ name.
September 30, 2007
Change can feel like progress to some and disruption to others. Learn how one rural congregation navigated rapid transitions, differing mind-sets, and unintended consequences while working to prevent and resolve conflict.
September 30, 2007
If we want to avoid conflict, our first question should be, “What does God want us to do?” Seeking God’s guidance begins in prayer. Involving the entire congregation in praying for God’s guidance makes conflict less likely.
September 30, 2007
Joe L. Cope shares practical resources for peacemakers seeking reconciliation: three influential books on self-deception, personal choice, and forgiveness, plus two believer-friendly manuals that offer clear, usable methods for mediation and conflict resolution.
September 10, 2006
Abilene Christian University has formed a Department of Conflict Resolution and launched a master’s degree in conflict resolution and reconciliation, building on its longstanding Center for Conflict Resolution and graduate certificate program.
September 10, 2006
A curated list of practical books for resolving personal conflict and navigating church conflict. These recommendations highlight biblical peacemaking, effective dialogue in high-stakes moments, and leadership tools for healthier congregations.
June 11, 2006
After decades in the same congregation, Nancy Karpenske weighs the risks of getting too comfortable against the rewards of credibility, perseverance, and long-term spiritual fruit—learning again and again to depend on God, not experience.
January 18, 2006
Debbie Roeger describes leaving a successful legal career to pursue a deeper relationship with God and how that journey led her into Ohio prison ministry through mediation and creative conflict resolution.
When a minister leaves—especially after conflict—churches can rush into another painful transition. Learn how an intentional interim minister helps congregations grieve well, resolve conflict, and prepare for a healthy new beginning.
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