CONFLICT DEFINED

The popular definitions of conflict include a competitive or opposing action of incompatibles; mental struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, wishes or external or internal demands; the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama or fiction.¹

Look closely at the last definition: the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to dramatic action. That is the nature of conflict. If left unchecked, conflict causes drama in the ministry. What is drama? Drama is a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces.²

Take a few moments to consider your life and connections. Is there drama in any relationship or area of your life? In your ministry? If so, it most likely can be traced back to conflict. Regardless of size or scope, conflict is powerful and can damage and devastate God’s people. Conflict is often fueled by spoken words—James 3:5 summarizes the tongue’s role in conflict: Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! (AMP)

SIX MAJOR CAUSES OF CONFLICT

We will address six major causes of conflict in ministry: subcultures and abusive systems, lack of integrity in money matters, moral problems, lack of an exit strategy, jealousy among gifted people, and neglect of social needs.

Subcultures

Subcultures form when pastors allow leaders to develop their own departments or ministries with little supervision. Without pastoral oversight, cliques may emerge. What begins as a teambuilding tea or dinner morphs into secret societies and exclusive relationships. It is possible for pastors to identify subcultures early. Once identified, it is important that the subculture be defused, dismantled and rearranged into the corporate overall vision of the ministry. No leadership style in ministry is exempt from the possibilities of “sub-cultures” developing. Any progressive ministry within itself possesses the capabilities to raise up competent dynamic leaders. The danger is that these leaders in turn may create a “sub-culture” where they build people, ideas, and concepts around themselves and not around the “Set Leader” and the vision of the house.

Abusive Systems

Abusive systems are not just harsh or oppressive systems, but antagonistic environments that tend to abuse, exploit, misuse, manipulate or oppress people. According to Dr. Samuel Chand, a person can have a perfectly good anointing or gift but be located in a toxic environment. This toxic environment has within in it the possibilities of abuse, misconduct, and inappropriate behaviors, structures and systems. There are four components that contribute to abusive systems.

First, there is the lack of personal development within the leader. When the leader refuses to deal with personal issues, establish personal discipline, or better himself / herself, an abusive system can be created. As a result the leader will possibly mistreat members of the leadership and congregation. The weaknesses and incompetence’s of the leader are then imposed on the ministry, thus creating conflict.

Second, there are problems with appointed leaders. Frontline, handpicked pastoral team members may have personal issues that cause conflict among the congregation.

Third, there is lack of communication among the leaders or to the congregation, due to insufficient direction or vision conveyed from the pastor.

Fourth, there are unresolved theological and cultural belief systems; then the belief is imposed on a church, or ministry without discussion, or thought of immediate consequence. Some “cultural beliefs” can become abusive as they pertain to dictatorial, demagogue style force, causing conflict due to the unbalanced beliefs.

Lack of Integrity in Money Matters

There are innumerable church conflicts that stem from money issues. Whether the problem is theft, mismanagement, or misappropriation, the solution is accountability. There must be transparency in the ministry’s finances, so that the leaders are unable to “skim off the top.” In addition, the financial requirements imposed on ministers and churches must not be unreasonable, or this too can cause conflict.

Values Differences

A church should be built on strong, clearly defined Biblical values. These values should be succinctly expressed and should be in writing. Having specified values within the congregation births family and spiritual standards that influence society. Entrepreneurs, politicians and leaders representing every sector in society can spring from the church, so it is essential that the church has core character strengths that are clearly defined. When the church has clearly defined its values, there is no question on its position.

Value issues also take into account doctrinal, cultural, racial, and political differences. Various people groupings around the world, in individual nations tribally, and in communities racially (blacks and whites) act and think differently. Americans and those from other countries believe differently. Pastors must use wisdom when multi-cultural factors are present. Remain apolitical. It may prove beneficial to conduct a doctrinal audit so that everyone in the ministry can be on the same page about specific methods the church employs. Topics may range from baptismal methods to the administration of the sacraments.

Lack of an Exit Strategy

There is always someone in the ministry who believes they can do it better—planning, singing, preaching, etc. For this reason it is imperative that churches have an exit strategy. This is a simple set of procedures to help gifted people transition into starting their own works while still preserving the unity of the church.

Though some people leave a church without anger or malice, unnecessary conflict is created when they leave, or attempt to leave because an exit strategy does not exist. Following are various scenarios of why people leave a church / ministry: 1) People leave because employment, or relocate because of accommodation within the same city another city or another country etc; 2) people in good standing who feel / sense they need to change churches for some reason (and there are a variety of reasons) 3) people not in good standing who wish to change churches and/or ministries 4) members or employees in good standing that need to change departments or ministries and 5) problematic people that need to move on. An exit strategy needs to be written documentation that describes the exact procedure used to deal with common situations. Having an exit strategy in place is essential to starting a church or ministry.

Jealousy Among Gifted People

If your church has fifty-three gifted ministers within the assembly, it will be difficult for any one of them to get the necessary training and exposure they need to be fully productive. Even if each minister preached one week out of the year, you would still come up one week short! Senior pastors must make a concentrated effort to train, mentor and create opportunities for the gifted people in the ministry. Do not ignore gifts and talents, cultivate them. Recognizing gifts and callings and creating a nurturing environment for them will prevent people from competing for positions in the spotlight and help avoid conflict.

Neglect of Social Needs

People within the church are given to different passions and feel strongly about certain organizations and charities. Some will focus on the poor or the homeless; others will champion a different cause. If a church fails to demonstrate the same level of passion that some do for their cause, this can be a source of conflict. Have a plan in place that demonstrates the churches commitment to its community.

TWO: TYPES OF CONFLICT

“I encourage leaders to locate all potential areas of conflict and close those doors. Then look for the conflicts you have no control over.”

Bishop Tudor Bismark

But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God’s consecrated people). Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].

Ephesians 5:3–4 (AMP)