Not Peace, But a Sword March 10, 2009
Posted by Dan R. Dick in Congregational Life, Research.Tags: Church membership
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Next week I want to publish an article on bad behavior in congregations, but I thought it would be interesting to get your views in advance. Take a moment to answer this question:
All of the listed issues certainly create havoc and destruction. However, my experience shows that many of these divisive behaviors exist because of a larger apathy within churches. It is very easy for church members to become inward focused on “us,” but more often on “me.” Attitudes such as, “I don’t want to get involved,” or “it’s not my problem” when others engage in destructive behaviors enables a few to make llife untenable for the rest. We seem to have lost the concept of Christian accountability and the ‘care-frontational’ ability to hold each other accountable when harm is being done. These powerful, empowering, and healing traits almost always have to be learned.
WE SPENT 3 TO 4 YEARS DEALING WITH A CONTROL ISSUE WITHIN OUR MIDST. GOD WANTS TO BE THE LEADER AND IN CONTROL.
WE DECIDED TO RESOLVE THIS CONFLICT. TAKES TIME AND MUCH PRAYER AND WE TOOK A SPIRITUAL BEATING BUT GOD WAS FOR US AND WHO CAN BE AGAINST US.
I would have checked both “power struggle” and “conflict” because the two are linked. For the best part of three years and half years, I dealt with an on-going power struggle which, now, thank God, is over. For much of that time, it manifested itself as a series of unending complaints by a small group of people. When one complaint was resolved, another was always forthcoming. The people involved were set on getting their own way and were not going to abide by SPRC decisions. It eventually came to a head as a divisive conflict. The antagonists took the matter to the District. The DS sought to facilitate reconciliation and resolution, but the people chose to leave the church instead.