Many people have the false assumption that being involved with ministry is easy, fun and totally without conflict. It doesn't take much time as a tech director involved with church-work to realize that nothing could be farther from the truth. Certainly there are things that are fun and exciting, and nothing brings the long-term rewards like ministry does, but conflict is inevitable.
Maybe it's a conflict between you and a co-worker or fellow ministry leader. Or perhaps it is a conflict between two other people and you are simply a spectator. Conflict isn't always bad, in fact, sometimes it is necessary. It simply means that two people have differing views and they are passionate about them. It is very difficult to make any real progress for the Kingdom of God without conflict.
However, conflict that goes unresolved for any length of time can soon turn into bitterness and anger. These things are not healthy for any organization, especially a church.
Jesus has called us to be peacemakers. He wants us to work hard to bring peace in our own lives as well as in the lives of those around us.
Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
It is very difficult to make any real progress for the Kingdom of God without conflict.
Here are three things to consider as you work to bring peace in your ministry and church:
Remove the Log
Jesus exhorted us to remove the log out of our own eye before trying to help someone remove the speck of sand from their's. Before you pursue any peacemaking efforts make sure that you take the time to do a self-examination and confess things to God, and to others, that may be out of line.
It is easy to go into a peacemaking effort with a critical and negative attitude. This needs to be repented before any hope of peace can come. You attitude should be the same love and humility that Jesus himself displayed.
Confront in Love
If confrontation is needed, it is wise to consider how you would like to be confronted or restored if the situation was reversed. If you try to treat the other party as you would like to be treated, you will be well on your way to bringing lasting peace to the situation.
Scripturally you should first go to the person alone and then if you are not able to work things out then to bring one or two spiritually mature people along with you. Nowhere does Scripture say that it is acceptable to gossip about the situation with others or post it on Facebook.
Help Bring Restoration
The goal of making peace with other is not to prove that you, or someone else, is in the right. The goal is to bring peace. Likely you will have to take the first step in owning up to your actions. You should not be trying to prove a point but trying to bring restoration and wholeness to the relationship.
All throughout Scripture we see that God specializes in bringing restoration. And in Matthew 5 we see that God reserves a special blessing when you work to bring peace to others.
