New Life for Wounded Churches

Having said that, there are foundational principles that should help a church determined to find resolution in the early stages of division.

1. Instead of focusing on their differences, wise thinking people on both sides of a dispute in a church should retreat to grounds of commonality. Conflict in a church is inevitable from time to time but shouldn’t create division if it is handled correctly. To be handled correctly, it must always be addressed in light of certain agreed on absolutes – common denominators of Biblical truth and corporate consensus that all are comfortable with. In other words, every church should be built on certain pre-agreed ideals that incontrovertible and unshakeable. When these are in place there is always a point of commonality that provides the foundations of, and can be appealed to for future discussion and understanding.

2. It should reaffirm that the church belongs to Christ and not to men. Men acting in His behalf should be careful that they manifest only the fruit of the Spirit – the attitude of Jesus – in every discussion and contact. Serious conflict and division can only occur when people are walking in the flesh and not the Spirit. “And you husbands, show the same kind of love to your wives as Christ showed to the Church when he died for her” (Ephesians 5:25). “Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:5 The Living Bible).

3. It should reaffirm that all Scriptural principles call for unity in every situation in the body of Christ. Unity presupposes that there will be diversity in the body. Paul aptly illustrated diversity in 1 Corinthians 12 where he used the human body and its component parts as an illustration of the diversity of the body. There is a vast difference between diversity and division. Diversity gives people the liberty of being and thinking differently while still working in concert for the greater good of the body. Division is a product of a basic “clone mentality,” i.e., uniformity, which demands that all think and behave alike. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV).

4. All communication should be directed toward a win/win result. Most church splits are the product of polarized attitudes wherein the proponents of each side are determined to have things their way in a win/lose type scenario, i.e., with one side obtaining its goals and thus causing the other side to fail to obtain its goals. The longer strife continues, the more polarized and demanding each side will be. Godly attitudes will cause all to be compassionate and caring toward each other, working for the common good instead of selfish designs and aspirations. “Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification” (Romans 15:2).

5. Wise thinking people on each side of a conflict should refuse to let the passion of one person or group determine the attitudes of all. Paul warned that we should “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). Most conflicts are the result on one person’s discontent or contention with that person spreading his discontent like a virus to others that will listen. Paul commanded: “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things” (Romans 14:1). People who spread discontent are immature and should be seen and treated as such.

6. Refuse to let the conflict focus on personalities, whether it is the pastor or anyone else in the church. Keep the focus on issues. When the focus is on personalities, passion will rule causing a polarization of attitudes based on passion rather than the Scriptural rule and Godly wisdom. Paul counseled, “for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul,'' and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:3-4)?

7. Remember that division and strife in the church is always (ultimately if not immediately) precipitated by Satan. Strife accomplishes nothing that is good and lasting. When a church is born out of strife it will die out of strife. It will always be the product of its conception without thorough repentance by all concerned. James said, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there” (James 3:13-16).

Jesus offered the best course for all to follow with the greatest results when He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). One should rise above the noise of conflict and contention, emulating the person and presence of Jesus in every situation. Those who do that are wise and Godly people.

Jeff

• Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors • Jubilee International • P. O. Box 572 • Noblesville, IN 46061