Conflict Resolution
First some good news statistics before we get into D12:
As of October 2022, Barna data shows:
Three out of four U.S. adults (74%) say they want to grow spiritually.
Additionally, the same proportion (77%) say they believe in a higher power.
Nearly half (44%) say they are more open to God today than before the pandemic.
Now some bad news:
52% of U.S. Adults & Teens Have Experienced Religious Doubts in the Past Few Years
Over one-quarter (27%) says their cause for doubt comes from past experiences with a religious institution.
The “hypocrisy of religious people” is the top driver of doubt.
We don’t need a new study to know the church isn’t perfect. But it highlights a few things for us to pay attention to, the first, most people don’t leave church because of God, they leave church because of people.
How we treat each other matters. It matters so much that God highlights them in Proverbs 6:
There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
prideful eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family
All of the scriptures in bold have to do with how we treat others. The only one remaining is a heart condition.
How can we be successful Christians and treat people so poorly?
How we stay in church matters just as much as why.
Conflict is inevitable in any community, but how we handle it speaks volumes about our commitment to Christ and His teachings. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus provides a clear framework for resolving conflicts within the church, emphasizing the importance of addressing issues directly, with humility and a spirit of reconciliation.
As leaders, it's our responsibility to create an environment where conflicts are addressed promptly and with love, seeking restoration and healing rather than division. This requires active listening, empathy, and a willingness to extend grace to one another, even in the midst of disagreement.
I’m going to give two points on where we’re going from here:
Handle Conflicts Quickly
Separate Yourself from False Witnesses
It is not worth your time to prolong conflicts, this leads to resentment, bitterness and anger. I’ve heard it said like this, “holding onto offense is like holding onto the blade of a knife. It only hurts you and the more you hold it the deadlier it gets.”
I’m calling on every active leader of Segadores and SYA to acknowledge the word of God, we MUST be willing to resolve conflicts with a leader or witness.
Do it quickly, do it now. You are causing more damage to yourself and the church by holding onto that offense. Separate yourself from:
a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord
Biblically speaking, God hates what that person is doing, He doesn’t hate the person. But causing division via gossip, fabricating lies and narratives are not common mistakes. Separate yourself from these people.
A false witness is one who stands up and swears before others that something untrue is true, especially with the intention of hurting someone else or ruining his reputation.
As leaders, we must prioritize opportunities for fellowship within our ministry, creating spaces where people feel welcomed, accepted, and valued. This means intentionally reaching out to newcomers, and providing avenues for meaningful connection, relationship-building and visits to home groups.