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It's a cold, harsh reality. As much as we wish it didn't happen, churches are sometimes the perfect breeding ground for conflict. Here you'll find resources to help you through the tough times in ministry, and timely assistance to help you persevere through even the worst church conflict.
Here’s this week’s church conflict management question with Ken Newberger… Dear Ken, I have been pastor of the same church for nearly half a dozen years. Since I have been here, conflict occurs on a cyclical basis. Every six to eighteen months a small group of people complain anonymously to our elders even to the point of trying to get people to vote me out. This same antagonistic behavior dates back to at least two of my predecessors…
I HATE CONFRONTATION! With a passion. And I'm not looking forward to a phone call and meeting I need to schedule today. Confrontation stinks. And yet, many times it needs to be done. As much as I hate confronting, I hate NOT confronting even more. David Foster recently wrote on his blog about ten signs it's time to confront. David writes, "No one really likes confrontation, even those who say they do. For if you really like it, you’re a bully more than a person. But the truth is, we do have to confront. Here are 10 signs it’s time to confront the people you love, care about, work with, or are responsible for..."
Ten Signs it’s Time to Confront
Landfill Repentance
As Janet and I work through the application process to become church planters we continue to transition our lifestyle, mainly by throwing or giving things away. Our goal is to downsize radically in preparation for spending a lot of time on the road raising support (that’s how our system works) and for moving to Berkeley, where the housing makes Ikea stuff look too big...
When Push Comes To Shove… Church Antagonist Blogger is Physically Attacked?
We've talked in the past here at MMI about how blogs are now being used in several churches to actively attack the leadership of local churches, demanding change. So has been the case with several blogs actively calling for changes in leadership at Bellevue Baptist Church. Now comes the report that a yet un-named "upstanding, long-time member" of the church has physically attacked on of the antagonist bloggers. Charges have been filed. So... this just takes it to the next level. And my question to you is...
Do you have anyone in your church that is a manipulator? Maybe it’s a board member. Maybe it’s a little old lady down the street. Regardless, it can be tough to ministry to a manipulative personality. Brooks Faulkner has an article posted at LifeWay.com that helps address how you might approach your favorite manipulator. Brooks writes…
The following was posted on The Bullard Journal website. George Bullard has some good insights into a problem that many churches face… "The Wallenda Factor". Monday, March 22, 2004 was the 26th anniversary of the day Karl Wallenda, patriarch of The Flying Wallendas, fell 75 feet to his death while walking a cable strung between two hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In reflecting on the time around his death, his widow explained that during the months preceding his death Karl transitioned from a life style and attitude of confidence and courage, to one of fear and precaution. He morphed from being an aerialist who lived to fly across the wire, to a hesitant high wire actor who was concerned about the fear of falling.
Letters from Leavers
A couple of students from Fuller Seminary have started a new website called "Letters from Leavers" in which they encourage people to share their stories about why they left their church (or THE church). Some of the letters are fascinating...
Pastor Refuses to Give Up Pulpit Despite Legal Challenges
For three years, a group of deacons from the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church has tried to oust the congregation's pastor. And three times, the church leader has taken the case to the Georgia Supreme Court. Pastor Willie Bolden simply refuses to leave...
Why do pastors leave the ministry? Several common issues emerge from the research of Dean Hoge and Jacqueline Wenger: preference for another form of ministry, the need to care for children or family, conflict in the congregation, conflict with denominational leaders, burnout or discouragement, sexual misconduct, and divorce or marital problems. Of these factors, which form the basis for the central chapters of Pastors in Transition, two are especially important: conflict and a preference for specialized ministry. A close third is the experience of burnout, discouragement, stress and overwork. As the authors explore these factors, they provide significant insights into what can be done to help people stay in ministry. The bestselling author of "The Message" challenges believers to read the Scriptures on their own terms, as God's revelation, and to live them as they read them. Based on his extensive experience as coach and mentor to many thousands of Christian leaders across a broad spectrum of ministry settings, Reggie McNeal helps spiritual leaders understand that they will self-select into or out of greatness.
Pastors In Transition: Why Clergy Leave Local Church Ministry
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading
Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders
Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.
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