Dealing with Conflict While Shepherding the Flock (Part 2)
For the first part of this three-part series, click here.
In our previous post, we identified three sources of conflict in the church—satanic attack, sinful hearts, and genuine disagreement. In this post, we will identify two of four kinds of conflict that we might face and how should we respond.
Kinds of Conflict and How to Respond to Them
Christian ministers will encounter conflicts. These arise for the reasons we have considered above. Conflicts can be quite discouraging in ministry. Conflict is consistently one of the things pastors I have spoken with list as the reason they have considered leaving the ministry. Handling conflict biblically is essential to a healthy ministry. Considering some of the biblical examples of conflict will provide us with ways to address conflicts in our own ministries so that we can glorify God in the midst of conflict. I will illustrate some of these situations with my own experience. I do not desire to be the hero in these illustrations; I only hope that by sharing some of my own experience, I can be a help to others.
#1: Conflict Due to Criminal or Legal Disputes
First, the Bible makes clear that Christians should not resort to lawsuits to resolve conflicts between one another (1 Cor 6:1–8). However, this does not mean that Christians don’t sometimes bring suits against one another. This prohibition against lawsuits does not apply to criminal matters. The Bible does not teach that it is wrong for a Christian press charges against someone for the other’s criminal actions. Many states have mandatory reporting laws that require Christians to report serious crimes, like child abuse, to the authorities.
Let us consider a passage of Scripture that describes Paul’s interaction with the authorities on legal grounds. Acts 26 details Paul’s defense before Festus, King Agrippa and Agrippa’s wife Bernice. I want to note a few of Paul’s actions that can serve as examples for us when interacting with legal authorities, or when we are involved in legal conflicts.
· First, Paul is truthful. Whether in Acts 26 or other passages where Paul interacts with the authorities, he is truthful.
· Second, Paul takes the opportunity to be a gospel witness (Acts 26:27–39 cf. Phil 1:12–14).
· Third, Paul exercises his legal rights. He sees no reason to be a martyr voluntarily, or suffer for the sake of suffering (Acts 26:32 cf. Acts 22:25).
· Finally, the Scriptures also clearly teach that as Christians, if we do suffer it should be for the sake of the gospel, and not as evil-doers (1 Peter 4:15–16).
I have been involved in civil cases related to our church as well as mandatory reporting situations. They are never something we desire. I will say that they have been some of the most difficult trials I have personally faced in ministry. Being a gospel witness in these situations is the area I wish I would have done better. It is easy to get caught up in legal protection and forget that God has given us exposure to people we may otherwise never encounter in our daily lives.
#2: Conflict with Fellow Pastors over Doctrine
There are sometimes conflicts between fellow ministers because of false teaching. It is our responsibility to proclaim the truth and warn against error. Paul was an example of this. He warned against the false teachers (Gal 1:6–9). He also called out Peter for giving support to a teaching that endangered the gospel message (Gal 2:11–14). However, on other occasions we see Christians gently teaching one another when there is a misunderstanding about biblical truth (Acts 18:24–26). We need wisdom to know how to deal with these situations. For example, calling out false teachers like Benny Hinn does not require the private meeting of Apollos in Acts 18. Benny Hinn has publicly taught false doctrine for decades. We should warn people against such false teachings as the prosperity gospel.
When dealing with a true brother who is teaching something false, it is sometimes wise to deal with them in public as Paul did with Peter. Peter’s sin was public and endangered the public representation of the gospel. Paul needed to deal with it in public so that the body of believers would clearly understand the truth. In our day, if a man puts something in print, it is often appropriate (though not demanded) to answer that man in print. This kind of public response can help protect those who have been misled by what was written.
Most situations of doctrinal disagreement between believing brothers are best dealt with in private conversations. The demagoguery of some pastors calling out men they disagree with on minor points does not help anyone. I have been publicly named in sermons by men who had private correspondence with me. That is not the biblical pattern, as I understand it. I also know of at least one situation in which I wrongly mentioned a brother in a sermon (it made for a great illustration after all), but it was not the correct way to handle the situation.
In our next post, we will consider two more kinds of conflict and how to respond to them and bring this series to a conclusion.
This post is adapted from the sermon notes of TJ Klapperich at the 2014 Conference on the Church for God’s Glory. Click here if you would like to listen to the audio of this sermon or read the notes in full.
T. J. Klapperich is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Winter Garden, FL, where he has served since 2006.
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