Conflict Resolution In Church

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 and informed me

that the Pastor Search Committee had lied to me on several accounts. He said that my call was

not unanimous, and that he had voted against me because he "did not like it that that Pastor

Search Committee had rammed me down the throats of the church, and not given them time to

ask questions or pray about the matter." He then stated that the last pastor had not resigned – he

had been forced out by "them," (a group of people who had taken over the church). He further

informed me that I was the third pastor in less than two years. He finished by telling me that my

call had been very strong, and that if I would preach the Word of God faithfully, and if I would

serve as pastor of all the people of the church, I would not find him behind me when the going

got rough – I would find him at my side helping to hold up my arms.

I prayed to ask God to direct me to those who would be honest with me concerning the church

and its past. He led me ...

... middle of paper ...

...good that they did not return. All this was

the result of much prayer, and the church continues to be a family of "prayer warriors."

What suggestions might I offer to improve the resolution? Well, after much prayer and

consideration, I believe that the results were as good as could be hoped for, since the control

group chose not to repent, but to rebel. We tried to communicate with the control group the

evening they decided to leave, but they were not of an attitude that would allow productive

discussion. We attempted to bridge the gap a little later on, but they were unwilling to discuss

any resolution that would permit me to stay as pastor of the church. I prayed for God to allow

me to leave many times, but He told me to "stand in the gap." So I did, until He informed me

that it was time to resign and minister elsewhere.