Someone once said, ‘Church would be a great place if it weren’t for all the people!’ They were joking, of course, mostly. The truth is, if we live with, work around, and minister to people, the occasional relational conflict is inevitable. This seminar will explore the nature of conflict in the context of ministry and examine the Bible as a guide to effective conflict resolution.
Session 1 - The Inevitability and Nature of Relational Conflict: Relational conflict in ministry is inevitable. Jesus dealt with relational conflict, and so will His followers. Though conflict may arise unexpectedly, conflict resolution is a predictable process. The better we understand that process, the more likely we are to bring resolution and growth.
Session 2 - Acknowledging the Spiritual Reality of Conflict: Relational conflict is a spiritual event that requires a spiritual approach, especially in the context of ministry. Turning to God in and through prayer is essential before engaging in conflict resolution. His wisdom will be our guide, His power the help we need.
Session 3 - Examining Ourselves First: Conflict between two people is a conflict between TWO people. Sometimes, the most difficult person we have to deal with is ourselves. Before engaging the other person, it is essential to prayerfully examine our own attitude and actions, and ensure we are ready to engage with a loving spirit.
Session 4 - Engaging Others for Effective Conflict Resolution: The first step of engagement is a thoughtful, prayerful, and intentional decision to engage. Conflict resolution is not always possible, but can bring about healing and produce growth. Jesus laid out a plan of action. Focus on the conflict between you, be generous with forgiveness, and get back on mission as soon as possible.
