Congregational Conflict is Healthy, Leaders Learn
Nov. 4, 2009
"Congregations without a healthy intensity of conflict do not have passion around their mission, purpose, and vision," says Dr. George Bullard. Strategic Coach with the Columbia Partnership, the author and church consultant joined Dr. Ed Wheeler, president of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, as a keynote speaker for a two-day seminar on conflict management, held at The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters in Fishers, Indiana. In one of his Strategies for Managing Congregational Conflict, Dr. Bullard said that churches must develop a "magnetic God-given vision" and an "appealing future story." He warned, "Congregational leaders need to learn how not to fall into the trap of escalating conflict unnecessarily."
Dr. Wheeler, an educator and former pastor, addressed Spiritual Leadership in the Midst of Congregational Conflict during the first day of the seminar and said that church conflicts are a spiritual matter. "Underneath the conflict lies the spiritual challenge of recognizing God in every situation." Sponsored by The Wesleyan Church's Board of General Superintendents, attendees included Wesleyan district and local church leaders from across North America, plus representatives from three other denominations. Dr. Bullard's book, Every Congregation Needs a Little Conflict served as a resource for the seminar. Many of the participants expressed appreciation for the principles and practical direction given for dealing with difficult situations in their ministry areas.
