When you hear the words “church conflict”, what comes to
mind?
Is conflict inherently wrong or bad?
In a survey of over 14,300 congregations, 75% had had some
level of conflict in the last five years prior, and 25% reported experiencing
serious levels of conflict.
What do people in churches fight about most often?
According to a 2000 survey
conducted by the Hartford Institute for Religious Research, Churches most often
reported experiencing conflict because of “member’s behavior” (44%), and
“money” (42%), “worship” (41%), “leadership style” (40%), “decision making”
(39%), “program priorities” (30%), and “theology” (26%). Christianity Today surveyed pastors and
reported in 2004 that sources of conflict were “control issues” (85%),
“vision/direction” 64%, “leadership changes” (43%), “financial” (33%),
“theological/doctrinal” (23%), and cultural/social differences (22%).
Churches typically
experience conflict at some times more than others: Easter (or other busy
times), stewardship campaigns, addition of new staff, change in leadership
style, pastor’s vacation or temporary leadership absences, changes in pastor’s
family, changes in age demographics, completion of new buildings, loss of
resources (people or money), and increases in congregational membership leading
to culture change.
Indicators of
conflict
- Long drawn out, unfulfilling meetings, consensus breakdown, every issue becomes part of a bigger struggle
- Increasing use of voting to make decisions
- Voting patterns indicate opposition to leadership
- Sharply increased attendance at certain meetings
- Incongruity between what is said publicly and privately
- Triangulation – talking to each other through third parties
- Withdrawal of support by key members
- Loss of money and members
- Increased discussion about goals
- Conspiracies, real or imagined
- Changes in friendship patterns
- Polarization of opinions
- Escalation of emotions
- Feelings of fear
- Increased pressure on pastor and staff
- Exaggerated behavior
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