REDEEM CHURCH CONFLICT TURN CRISIS INTO COMPASSION AND CARE Source: Redeeming Church Conflicts by Tara Klena Barthel & David V. Edling Susan Buck FL 544/Educ 545: Lifespan Family Education Concordia University – Nebraska February 28,2014
To encourage Christians and their churches to redeem church conflict, turning crisis into compassion and care. To instruct Christians and their churches to use the Acts 15 Model as a biblical response to conflict. To help Christians understand the 4 G’s of peacemaking. To help Christians understand five bad reasons for leaving a church. To help Christians and their churches understand the importance of godly conflict resolution. PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES
Conflict is “a difference of opinion or purpose that frustrates someone’s goals or desires.” Not all conflict is bad. “Sometimes conflict can become destructive due to elements of sin, worldliness, and spiritual warfare.” (Barthel and Edling, 2012, p. 16) DEFINITION OF CONFLICT
Every person has a preferred response to conflict somewhere on the Slippery Slope. (Barthel and Edling, 2012, p. 16) RESPONSES TO CONFLICT
Redeeming church conflict means “intentional dependence on the humbling and heart- changing grace of Christ’s Holy Spirit by turning relational crisis in the church into compassionate care as you take every thought and deed captive to him” (Barthel and Edling, 2012, p. 17). DEFINITION OF REDEEMING CHURCH CONFLICT
1. Biblical Interpretation: Seek first to know the truth of God’s Word 2. Biblical Application: Act faithfully and consistently with God’s Word as you apply this truth to your situation. 3. Be careful and pray as you seek counsel from church leaders and members in applying knowledge gained from this presentation. (Barthel and Edling, 2012, pgs. 17 and 21) IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN REDEEMING CHURCH CONFLICTS
“In Acts 15 a serious conflict arose in the early church. God gave those involved great wisdom, and that same wisdom is available to us today” (Barthel and Edling, 2012, p. 15). The Acts 15 model for redeeming church conflict provides the structure for this presentation. THE ACTS 15 MODEL FOR REDEEMING CHURCH CONFLICTS
PERSPECTIVE 1. BIBLICAL RESPONSE 2. DISCERNMENT 3. LEADERSHIP 4. FOUR CORE PRINCIPLES IN ACTS 15
See opponents with eyes of compassion, knowing God is working in us to redeem conflict for His glory and our growth. Don’t lose perspective by taking matters as personal offenses. Keep an eternal perspective. View conflict in the context of eternity, so conflict can be viewed as an opportunity for spiritual growth. Seek to glorify God in all you do, remembering that the gospel is at the core of the redemption of church conflict. (Barthel & Edling, 2012, p. 229) PERSPECTIVE
Spend more time listening than speaking. Ask questions seeking group health versus your personal agenda in order to advance God’s interests and our holiness. Identify the problem and discern others’ heart motivations before contemplating quick solutions. Identify and consider every person and group in the conflict resolution process, focusing especially on God and His interests. Consider underlying motives between and among individuals and groups. (Barthel & Edling, 2012, p. 229-230) DISCERNMENT
Turn away from your own personal agendas and become group problem solvers. Embrace your responsibility for leadership and followership within your own sphere of influence. View yourself as a “shepherd - leader” and “faithful follower” serving among God’s flock. Be compelled by the love of Christ and use biblical truth as your standard. Remember that you suffer and serve for Christ Jesus and “demonstrate consistent servant -leadership and faithful biblical followership.” (Barthel & Edling, 2012, p. 229) LEADERSHIP
Trust Scripture remembering that Christ loves His church and He has paid more for it than we ever will. Confess your own contributions to the conflict. Practice redemptive, corrective church discipline as you hold people accountable for their sinful words and behavior. Forgive one another. Ask this question: “Will this particular answer to this specific conflict lead to final resolution or generate more conflict?” Understand that “true resolution requires clarity and finality.” BIBLICAL RESPONSE
Glorify God . How can I please and honor God in this situation? Get the log out of your eye. How can I show Jesus’s work in me by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict? Gently restore. How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict? Go and be reconciled. How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict? (Barthel and Edling, 2012, p. 171). THE FOUR GS OF PEACEMAKING
“I’m not being fed.” 1. “It’s getting too big.” 2. “I don’t agree with everything that is 3. being preached.” “My needs aren’t being met.” 4. “Unresolved conflict.” 5. Source: 5 Really Bad Reasons for Leaving a Church, Retrieved February 19, 2014, from http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2014/01/28/five-really-bad- reasons-to-leave-your-church/30623 5 BAD REASONS FOR LEAVING A CHURCH
YES! “We are comforted in knowing that Jesus understands our suffering. He knows what it’s like to be betrayed, attacked, and abandoned by his closest friends – by Christians. Jesus is with us in our church conflicts. He is sovereign over our church conflicts. We can pick up the cross of our conflicts and suffer well – God will give us the grace we need. God give us himself. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ). (Barthel and Edling, 2012, p. 226) IS THERE HOPE TO REDEEM CHURCH CONFLICTS?
“Is it possible that conflicts have grown in your church because real relationships, deep true fellowship in the Lord, have never developed? What could you do to encourage others in your circle of influence to move beyond the commonplace superficial friendships that characterize so many churches?” (Barthel and Edling, 2012, p. 206). Reflect on the 5 bad reasons for leaving a church. Have you ever left a church for a “bad reason?” Explain if you feel comfortable doing so. How has Acts 15 and our discussions brought you renewed hope for your church? REFLECTION QUESTIONS
CONCLUSION
Barthel, T. K., & Edling, D. V. (2012). Redeeming church conflicts: Turning crisis into compassion and care . Grand Rapids: Baker Books. 5 really bad reasons to leave your church. (n.d.). OnFaith . Retrieved February 19, 2014, from http://www.faithstreet.com/onfaith/2014/01/28/five- really-bad-reasons-to-leave-your-church/30623 REFERENCES
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