It is ironic and at times disheartening to consider the motives behind conflicts that arise within religious settings. Congregational conflict can be very troublesome and cause extreme amounts of tension for the overseeing Pastor.

As it pertains to the church model, Jesus came to earth as the Prince of Peace saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.” Jesus of Nazareth taught His disciples to endure the enemy’s affliction and turn the other cheek. This is what makes church bred conflict so disillusioning as one would expect to find peace in the Lord’s house. Scripture states emphatically that God is the author of peace not confusion.

People however bring into the church all of their emotional baggage - wounds, pain and dissension. These are the elements that come together to breed strife. Where there is strife there is also every evil work. Unresolved strife can bury a congregation that God is trying to bless.

Sadly many seminaries do not train ministers adequately in conflict resolution before releasing them into the people business where they will oversee congregations full of people with numerous personal complexities. Though the church is to be a place where people can find a refuge for their souls, it sometimes becomes a place where people push their personal agendas and weary the Pastor.

If the Pastor himself is not a strong and discerning leader he can easily be swayed by big givers, loud mouths and pushy people. The great mistake of many Pastors is to try to please everybody. This will never be obtainable. It is the Creator we are to worship and serve before the congregation. The focus must be regained and the purpose of the church reestablished.

When ideas as to what the purpose of the church really is so greatly varies, it opens up people to a wide array of emotions and expectations. This can become quite a struggle for a Pastor to properly and delicately communicate, while still assuring each individual of his love for them as God’s representative.

Peacemaking and conflict resolution are most needed in situations such as these when certain church members get offended and decide to leave the congregation. Once bitterness and anger lodges itself within one’s heart, it tends to spread as the disgruntled church member becomes increasingly vocal as to the offense. A kingdom divided (spiritual included) shall not stand.

Mediators and conflict resolution specialists can be a great help to Pastors and church leadership. Training is very much needed as is mediation in sticky situations where an objective outsider is essential to sort through strife and facilitate reconciliation.

Among the many denominations wherein I have ministered throughout the world, Pastors always show great appreciation for my ability to impact their people in a positive way to pursue peace. There is so much charitable and humanitarian work to be done among the world’s most needy people that there really should not be time to fight one another within the church. Such bickering and dissension should not be tolerated. Yet until we heal the bruised and emotionally wounded within the church, it is unlikely that the spiritual family will ever become a unified army to effect society at large outside the church.

This remains to be the future of Pastors and conflict resolution specialists. A partnership is paramount to secure the serenity of the shepherd presiding over the spiritual flock as well as to ensure the peace of the people that comprise the congregation. Such an alliance once forged and formed will both revolutionize leadership and laity.

Paul Davis is a minister, life coach, mediator and fitness trainer that has traveled extensively throughout the world helping build the whole individual – spirit, soul and body. For more information about Paul please visit his web site – www.CreativeCommunications.TV. Paul also may be reached at 4601 Larado Place, Orlando, FL 32812; RevivingNations@yahoo.com; 407-929-4847.

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