I agree.  To take it a little further, as a pastor in a church of 1700 the people who cause disunity the most are those who get upset because we don’t have an affinity ministry that fits their niche demographic.  They threaten with guilt that we are not meeting their specific needs.  I think in our endeavor to meet so many different percieved needs, we miss out in meeting people’s biggest need:  an affinity/unifying ministry based on all of our common need for Christ and Him crucified.

Motivations… Read James 4.  Why do we do what we do?  The irony is that most people don’t see themselves as being the problem.  It is always someone else who is creating problems.  This is not new to the church.  Many in the New Testament church had similiar issues so I think it is because of our fallen nature that we act like ‘idiots’.  The worse thing that a church leader could do is develop a ‘fighting spirit’ though.  Men and women who are in leadership within the church need to take the same approach that Christ took.  Humility… God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  When we take up the fight against ‘selfish, yuppie minded, feed me’ type of mentalities then no longer are we interested in God’s Kingdom but we are falling into the trap of becoming the ‘ladder climbing’ person who is just looking for the next opportunity to push their own agenda.  If we were truly interested in Christ’s agenda we would not feel the need to fight against each other but to reach those who are hurting and needing to experience Christ’s love.  If an unchurched person was to look at you and the way you handle controversy would they want to follow Christ?  I heard someone say, “It is impossible to do what Jesus did… but we can attempt to think like Jesus thought.” Love those who hurt your feelings… Serve those whom you are in opposition to… Most of all, acknowledge your faults and admit them… Let’s not let pride distract us from the purposes of God.  Doug Foster

I think that quote is getting at something valid: Maybe a better way to say it is that 99% of church splits are about CHARACTER and not theology. After going through several divisions/splits its clear to me that whatever legitimate doctrinal issue is raised as the battle flag, it is much more about power, control, and character flaws. Including mine…

Theology is defined by one’s relationship with the Father through His Son Jesus. If there is not a good realtionship in that area, it is impossible for one to have a relationship with others that is genuine. In serving as a church planter, my estimate, for what its worth, would be that the vast majority of church splits are caused because of poor relationships, first with the Father through Christ and with our peers within the church body. Of course once personality (carnality) creep in, this comment can get used many ways.

thnks for your good and helpful letters of conflicts .especily here in Africa where conflct is our breakfast .please tell me the roots of conflics and how we can solve them in our churches