The truth about conflict

Conflict is normal
Every church deals with conflict. Yours. Your neighbor’s. Even the New Testament church. Paul’s

“ Almost everywhere you
go, you find churches
that are struggling with
conflicts, either great or
small. All churches face
conflict. It’s how we
deal with conflict that’s
the problem.”

JIM VAN YPEREN
Director
Metanoya Ministries

writing was often directed at churches in conflict — sometimes because of sin, sometimes because of deep disagreement. The reasons for church conflict differ, but nearly everyone agrees about the reality of conflict. Conflict is inevitable
God often uses conflict to promote change and advance

spiritual growth. When we acknowledge the value of conflict, then we can prepare the church to deal with the issues in deliberate, God-honoring ways. Where two or three gather in Jesus’ name, there will be conflict.
Conflict resolution is biblical
Most churches say a hearty, “Amen,” to being safe, peacemaking places. But living out the reality is difficult. In fact, many churches are evasive when it comes to conflict, trying to minimize the problem and keep the peace. The mark of biblical community…is not an absence of conflict, but the presence of a reconciling spirit. Read what God has to say in Romans 14:19, Ephesians 2:14-18, Matthew 7:5 and Matthew 18:15-17.