Church Conflict
Conflict is not something immune to the church. The first church commonly experienced the cultural pressures of conflict. Saint Luke, cites one of the first cultural conflicts between the Hebraic and Hellenistic Jews. Moreover, as a result of the global pandemic in 2020, church mergers are becoming extremely more common.
“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” (Acts 6:1, New American Standard Bible).
The apostle Paul warned the church to strive for unity. “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 10:1, New American Standard Bible).
A more recent split that made news in 2020 involves the United Methodist Church (UMC). The UMC has proposed to split in order to resolve an impasse between two factions within the church that have not been able to agree on gay marriage and clergy (McNamara, 2020).
With over 45,000 different Christian denominations in America, it’s unreasonable to expect complete harmony (International Bulletin of Missionary Research, 2015).
According to Christianity Today (2012), churches don’t split suddenly and without warning. There are usually signs of impending disaster. The challenge is to recognize these warning signs, or storm conditions, early and then act with godly wisdom before a storm hits with devastating force.

Church Consulting
Resolving Church Conflict
As the apostle Paul suggests, it is incumbent upon the church to resolve its conflicts within Christ’s body. “Does anyone of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints?” (1 Corinthians 6:1, New American Standard Bible).
Florida Mediation Firm will assess your specific conflict and advise you regarding the best options to consider as you move forward, providing an impartial and confidential process of conflict resolution and addressing the interests of each party with the intention to resolve conflict and establish a written agreement.
Read More Info On Church Consulting
Reference
International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol 39, No. 1 Christianity 2015: Religious
Diversity and Personal Contact
McNamara, A. (2020, January 4). United Methodist Church Proposes Split Over LGBTQ
Impasse. CBS News
New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1995 by Lockman Foundation
Ron Marinari
Florida Mediation Firm
https://www.floridamediationfirm.com/
15275 Collier Blvd, Suite 201-357
Naples, FL. 34119
#Churchconsulting #Churchconflict #Resolvingchurchconflict #Churchconflictresolution
FLORIDA MEDIATION FIRM BLOG


