Conflict in the Church

Conflict

A competitive or opposing action of incompatibles.

What is for dinner?

Ta’Molly’s vs. Demo’s

We can go to TaMolly’s or we can go to Demo’s or we can go somewhere else, or we can not go anywhere.

More serious conflict arise where we are emotionally tied to one idea or another. When who we are is wrapped up into one position.

I believe that Jesus was a real person, that He performed miracles, that He claimed to be one with God, that He died on a Roman Cross for the payment of the sins of the world, and that he really raised from the dead on the third day.

With that, I cannot compromise.

I also believe this is a building that we gather in. It is not some Holy Place on consecrated ground. It’s an old Gas Station and the only thing that make it Holy is the purpose in which we use it and have no problem with someone doing a burnout in the building.

That said, if we as a group decided that we shouldn’t do that any longer....I would be ok with that. I could compromise on that.

The problem with churches today is this:

1. They either hide the fact that conflict’s occur. Superficial and fake.

2. They avoid any conflict at all costs. They compromise on the Gospel.

3. They emotionally connect with every decision they make. constant state of turmoil.

Stupid arguments:

Argument over the appropriate length of the worship pastor’s beard

Dispute over weather or not to install restroom stall dividers in the women’s bathroom.

An argument and vote to decide if a clock in the worship center should be removed.

A fight over which picture of Jesus to put in the foyer.

An argument on whether the church should allow deviled eggs at the church meal.

A disagreement over using the term “potluck” instead of “pot blessing”.

One church split occured because a church member hid the vacuum cleaner from other members.

Well that’s stupid. And I agree with you the reason for these conflicts was stupid, but not resolving even stupid conflict, has very serious consequences.

Conflict in the early church:

Acts 6:1 NASB95

1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.

Hellenistic Jews: Greek speaking.

Hebrews: traditional

Their widows were being overlooked.

There is an accusation of partiality. So, they would want it to stop, but the temptation would be to hold a grudge because it ever happened at all.

Acts 6:2 NASB95

2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

They gathered the church.

It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.

Matthew 28:18–20 NASB95

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Solution:

Acts 6:3–4 NASB95

3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Full of the Spirit and of wisdom.

Acts 6:5 NASB95

5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

Acts 6:6 NASB95

6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

The result:

Acts 6:7 NASB95

7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Edgar Allen Poe said, “Believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see.”

I believe half of what you say, but all of what you do.