Spiritual Maturity is the Answer for Church Conflict, Speaker Says
Oct. 29, 2009
Dr. Edward Wheeler, president of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, said that spiritual maturity is the answer to conflict in the church. Addressing pastors and laypersons in an October 29, 2009, conflict management seminar at The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters in Fishers, Dr. Wheeler said that church conflicts are a spiritual matter. Underneath the conflict lies "the spiritual challenge of recognizing God in every situation."
The Church's Board of General Superintendents offered a two-day seminar to give district and local church leaders additional tools to deal with interpersonal issues in their congregations. Speaking on "Spiritual Leadership in the Midst of Congregational Conflict," Dr. Wheeler, the former pastor and now seminary president and professor of church history said, "We have become so busy doing everything else we haven't had time to talk." He added that as much as he loved to preach, "Preaching is a poor substitute for teaching. Some folks who have listened to preaching for 40 years are still babes."
The seminar will conclude Friday, October 30, with a presentation by Dr. George Bullard, Strategic Leadership Coach with the Columbia Partnership. His presentation will include material from his book, "Every Church Needs a Little Conflict," and will offer strategies for managing congregational conflict.
