Conflict Resolution In Church Essay - 1736 Words

CONFLICT In 1996, I was called to serve as pastor of Pryorsburg Baptist Church, located near Mayfield, Kentucky. The Pastor Search Committee had informed me that the church was currently experiencing a time of great unity, harmony, and growth. They further told me that my call was unanimous. They said that the church had grown to the point that the last pastor had resigned, a after a three-year tenure, because he had been promoted to Dean of Students at a nearby Baptist college and could no longer serve as pastor of a church of this size. I arrived at the church ministry field on a Saturday and preached the morning and evening services on the next day. On Monday evening, a member came to my home†¦show more content†¦They also informed me that they had wanted to tell me the truth before I accepted the call, but never had the opportunity. As we talked, it became clear that the church was in a horrific spiritual warfare. The deacon and his wife told me that the church had been doing very well and had been slowly growing, when a nearby church split and its disenfranchised members came to Peyorsburg. Almost immediately upon coming to Pryorsburg, these new members began to take control of the church. The old members did not do anything, because of a suddenly they were outnumbered in the business meetings by these newer members. These newer members had also voted to throw out the Church Constitution and Bylaws in order that they might do as they please regarding the operations of the church. So, there were three basic groups in the church: those in control, those who had been forced from office, and the largest group Ââ€" those who had no idea that anything was wrong. When I arrived, three of the deacons told me that they felt that they were being wrongly accused of running the church, but they had no idea why anyone would have such conceptions. Thereupon, I requested the deacons to provide me with a list of church officers. They said that they would get me a copy. It was three months later, with me constantly badgeringShow MoreRelatedThe World Monotheistic Religions Of Islam, Christianity, And Judaism981 Words   |  4 Pagesthis imperative about loving God/Allah with all the mind, heart, soul, and strength, and love one’s neighbor as oneself, which do indeed run contrary to the adversarial processes of managing conflict in the American legal system. It is evident in a litigation situation in a courtroom or in a dispute resolution forum, may it be negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, the two parties locked in argument, debate, and discussion are not applying this principle of unconditional love required by these religiousRead MoreThe Differences Between Prejudice And Stereotyping1137 Words   |  5 PagesIn class, we had also discussed the different type of conflict styles/resolutions. 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