How can you become aware of conflict in a church?
What could be more obvious than a description of the indicators of conflict in the Church? On the surface this does seem to be a rather trivial exercise. Conflict is indicated whenever people are fighting with one another. This is an indicator of manifest conflict, conflict that is out in the open and confrontational. Conflict in the Church certainly can be manifest and marked with much divisiveness and anger. But prior to actual “down in the gutter” brawling, there are many indicators in a congregation that conflict is brewing. Since it is not the general perception, inside the body of Christ or outside, that a Church should ever engage in conflict of any kind, these indicators are crucial in recognizing latent conflict, understanding the issues and causes, and resolving the conflict before it escalates further. Let us examine some of the key indicators of conflict within the local church fellowship.
Sudden Change in Giving Practices
It has been said that a believer’s monetary giving to the cause of Christ is an “outward indicator of spiritual commitment.” Certainly, money is the final distillation of a believer’s time, talent, and energy. Giving the firstfruits of our monetary rewards shows a heart that loves the LORD and trusts the One who owns it all anyway. When the Church experiences a sharp drop in giving, it usually means that some latent conflict has begun. Similarly, the Church may experience a drop in giving after a divisive conflict devastes the congregation. Conflict may also cause an increase in “directed giving” where church members specify all their normal offerings be sent to foreign missions or a particular ministry of the church. The nature of the conflict really does not matter -- it may be about the pastor’s last sermon, the direction of a ministry or program, the new color of the walls in the church sanctuary. The change in giving practices merely reflect the inward struggle of the membership over the conflict.
Formation of Private Groups
Groups form within a church on a regular basis. Members with common interests naturally gravitate toward one another. This is a good and natural outgrowth of fellowship so long as the groups are always inclusive of potential new members. During times of conflict or as conflict develops, members tend to band together on sides of the issue. Cliques form with an “us versus them” attitude. Private meetings may be held to discuss the issues at hand. Decisions are usually made at these meetings that result in further confrontation of the church staff and membership. The fact that they are private and not part of the known committee structure makes them difficult to combat. While processes may exist to deal with a particular issue, the private meetings of various factions in the Church override these formal processes. Ultimately, cliques undermine the ministry of the Church. Left unchecked, cliques damage the fellowship and growth of the congregation.
Evangelism Stops
A compelling and tragic indicator of conflict brewing can be the absence of evangelistic activity by the congregation. It bears close scrutiny; certainly, it may be a lack of Biblically-based teaching on evangelism or emphasis by the leadership in the Church. Often, though, evangelism suffers because conflict is developing within the congregation. No one wants to bring new members/converts into a church where conflict is evident. It is hard to proselytise when one is not committed to the church fellowship. Likewise, no one wants to join a new church fellowship and be required to immediately take sides in a dispute.
Conspiracy Abounds
Some people seem to thrive on conflict. As a result, these individuals look for a conspiracy in every decision by the church leadership. Why was person A selected for the personnel committee and not person B? What was the point of that example in the pastor’s sermon last week -- did it not relate to the controversy in the budget meeting the day before? The youth minister has been spending a lot of time in private counseling with our children, hasn’t he? These and other questions are raised as people search for a conspiracy among the leadership or groups of members. Members, even long-time friends in the Church, are seen or treated as “the enemy.” Real or perceived, a conspiratorial attitude can spread like wildfire in a congregation. Many businesses and organizations are affected by conspiracy theories. But church congregations seem to be particularly susceptible to them because of the supernatural, spiritual side to the fellowship of believers.
Authority and Decisions Questioned
Another key indicator of conflict, often related to conspiracy theories, would be the questioning of leadership decisions by the congregation. Phone calls, letters and cards begin to traverse through the congregation. Soon, votes are requested on practically every decision that is made. Questions are raised as to how much authority the pastor has or should have, whether the personnel committee can “fire” the pastor on its own or with a membership vote, and how much money the Church should spend on the Christmas pageant. All of these things show a general breakdown in the level of trust in and among the church leadership. Also, they may reflect a confusion over the goals of the ministry or breakdown in consensus over those goals.
Sad/Bitter mood in the Church, fellowship suffering
I have experienced first-hand the obviously bitter mood of a congregation in conflict. A ministry of the Church, purportedly run separately from our church, was terminated. At least, the facilities used by the ministry were taken away with the result being a termination of the relationship between the ministry and the Church. Many members had given time, money and various skills to this vital ministry. The effect of this decision was that fellowship in the Church suffered tremendously. An almost tangible pallor enveloped the congregation regardless of which position was taken regarding the decision. A Church should be a place of warmth, encouragment, and utter joy in the salvation provided to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. Any change in the temperament of fellowship is a serious indicator of conflict.
Decreasing Membership
The membership of a Church can decline for many reasons. It may reflect the changing demographics of the area in which it ministers. It may reflect an aging trend of individuals in the congregation (too many old, too many young, lack of diversity). The decline in attendance and later transfers of membership may be an indicator of unresolved conflict in the Church. Members have access to too many other churches in their area and choose to switch rather than fight. Declining membership should always be evaluated by the church leadership. Of particular interest is whether any latent conflict or unresolved conflict is at the root of the problem.
Frequent Changes in Leadership Positions
When a Church experiences frequent resignations of ministry leaders, the Church is almost certainly undergoing conflict. The Church in general would rather shoot its wounded than minister grace, forgiveness, and restoration. Perhaps the latter just takes too long to resolve the conflict. Perhaps Christians today are less mature spiritually and, as a result, unable to forgive and reconcile with their brother or sister who has offended them. A frequent attitude in Church conflicts is that “if so-and-so would just leave the Church, everything would be back to normal.” There is no attitude less Biblical than this and yet it is prevalent in the Church. The propensity is to “fire the manager” whether the individuals are on the paid staff or in lay positions.There is no end to the list of things which indicate or could indicate conflict in the Church. Some of them have been discussed here. Many of these indicators reveal conflict as well as a spiritually immature response by members to the many factors that impact church ministry. Perhaps a stronger discipleship of the body of Christ is needed, one that emphasizes the outworking of God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness toward us in our relationships with one another.
Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.ComCopyright 5/23/2001, Randy Lariscy.
