Conflict in the Church can be about doctrine or it can be about personalities. Hurt feelings, careless words, old wounds, bruised egos and the unwillingness to forgive.

Let’s say there is a conflict in the church that threatens to divide the entire group. Let’s say it’s over a man who has created troubles in the past. Not doctrinal but just by his lack of tact or unthoughtful actions.

If this man has made mistakes in the past and there is continued opposition, it suggest one of two things. He apologized and there are many members who aren’t willing to forgive, Mt 6:12. These people need to be reproved and reminded of Jesus’ words: “But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Leaders need people skills.”

The other possibility is that he trespassed against others and has never admitted his fault and begged forgiveness. If this is the case, the man needs to be reminded of these words by Jesus: “23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Mt 5).

The old wounds may be so deep and allowed to poison the relationships for so long that a perfect resolution is impossible to found. The man may not be a good choice.

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