HEALTHY CHURCH CONFLICT
The focus of this interchange with the congregation is how Christians can be involved in healthy conflict.
Remind them that the issue we are exploring is not whether to have conflict in this community of humans known as the church, but how to engage in conflict in a healthy manner that builds up the church rather than divides it.
Invite them to read how conflict arose among Jesus’ first disciples as recorded in Luke 22:24-27 and other places in the Gospels. Note that in this passage, Jesus saw the dispute as reflecting the way the world engages in power struggles. Encourage them to continue to read Paul in 2 Corinthians 18-19 speak of conflict in a church serving a healthy benefit. “It is no bad thing, either, that there should be differing groups among you so that those who are to be trusted among you can be clearly recognised.” (NJB)
DIVISION IS THE ISSUE
The issue is not conflict but division in the church. Paul speaks to this in 1 Corinthians 1: 10-13 “Now I encourage you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: agree with each other and don’t be divided into rival groups. Instead be restored with the same mind and the same purpose. 11 My brothers and sisters, Chloe’s people gave me some information about you, that you’re fighting with each other. 12 What I mean is this: that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” “I belong to Apollos,” “I belong to Cephas,” “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in Paul’s name?” (CEB)
Healthy conflict enables us to clearly face the issues before us but to do so in a manner that benefits the whole church. As we explore this as a church, you are invited to consider how any church discusses their differences and seeks the truth in a healthy manner. Paul gave some guidelines when he said, “Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God. 2 Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love, 3 and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together. 4 You are one body and one spirit just as God also called you in one hope. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father of all who is over all, through all, and in all. (Eph 4:1 CEB)
YOUR GUIDELINES
Consider the witness we could make in our society if we could demonstrate to people who are very familiar with ideological splitting and fighting that there is a better way. As a first step, is to ask you to write down four guidelines that you would suggest for our church when we want to discuss a difficult issue.
If you will send me your suggested guidelines, I will work with a task force from our session to compose a framework to guide us. When that has been developed, I will send it back out to everyone for their comments. We are not looking for a set of rules but a vision of how we can be faithful as we tackle significant issues both in our church and our society.
ONE BODY DIFFERENT IDEAS
As you think about it, consider these comments from Ephesians:
We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. (Eph 4:14 NRS)
YOUR INVITATION
Thank you for participating in this online experience. I have two final questions:
- Was this a good experience that you would enjoy participating in again on other subjects?
- Would you like to conclude such experiences with a class or church supper where we could share our experiences?
