Every church leader needs to learn how to diffuse conflict. It’s one of the most important ministry skills you can develop and rarely taught in seminaries and Bible schools.
Unresolved conflict will damage your ministry. You can’t be in harmony with God if you’re out of harmony with other people. 1 John 4:20 tells us, “If people say, ‘I love God,’ but hate their brothers or sisters, they are liars” (NCV).
The next time you find yourself in the middle of conflict—whether at home or at church—try these seven steps to resolve it.
1. Take the initiative.
Don’t wait for the other person to come to you, and don’t deny the conflict. Be the peacemaker God has called you to be.
I was terrible at this when Kay and I first married. When Kay would bring up issues, I became good at dodging them.
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