Have you ever had an incredible day take a sudden turn for the worse? In fifth grade, my older brother drove me to see a movie; we had the best time—popcorn, soda, and the works! As my brother turned onto our street on the way home, I saw our house illuminated with blue, strobing police car lights. A neighbor suffering from dementia shot multiple rounds through the front window of our home, narrowly missing my father’s right ear! The bullet hole above my father’s chair was a conversation piece in our home for several days.
Remembering the shattered glass on the kitchen floor of my home, I draw the analogy to the “windows” of church conflict. Windows or seasons of time in the church’s life make it vulnerable to conflict. Becoming aware of these windows will help your congregation pray, prepare, and address conflict situations when they occur.
Five Windows of Church Conflict
1. Church Holidays: When the church has high expectations and added pressures, the Evil One can convince believers to turn their stresses into aggression toward one another. I have witnessed church conflicts erupt during Christmas and Easter seasons. So it is no surprise that pastors tend to distribute their resumes in January (after Christmas services) and in spring (after Easter).
2. The Pastor’s Absence or Transition: More than one pastor has said something like this: “I know I have time off due, but I cannot be away right now. Too much drama is going on in the church.” During a leadership vacuum, laypersons and staff who exert authority in agenda-driven, dysfunctional ways tend to surface. This is especially true when a pastor resigns and the pulpit is vacant. During the pastor’s absence, those who trouble the waters should repent and “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (Philippians 2:3, ESV).
3. Strategic Refocusing and Staffing Changes: Changes in generational focus or organizational strategy can open a massive window for church conflict. “This isn’t why I decided to join this church! I did not sign on for this type of music, programming, leadership, etc.” People resist the new direction as necessary changes are made for future viability. When new priorities involve adding, removing, replacing, or restructuring staff, the church can become Corinthian-ized and divided to reflect allegiances to certain church leaders.
4. Budget Preparation and Stewardship Campaigns: People are funny about money! Churches fight over too little, too much, or just the right amount of money. Some congregants murmur, “We talk too much about money at this church.” Others in the same church inquire, “Why doesn’t the pastor preach more on tithing?” Our lives are bombarded with messaging about finances, and we sometimes carry these thoughts and feelings to church. As a result, church members give sacrificially to support the ministry and become passionate about the state of church finances. However, financial preferences must not divide believers! Instead, search your heart and consider all sides of the situation. As Proverbs 20:5 instructs us, “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.”
5. Completing a Major Focus or Project: Pastors are surprised to find conflict when a season in church life is complete. We underestimate how projects rally the church. When these projects end, people feel a sense of loss. Of course, Christ must always be the focus of the church. Nevertheless, believers can get caught up in church programs, emphases, and ministries. When things end, the effort and energy are often channeled in unproductive ways.
Church leaders, watch out for these windows of church conflict. Don’t be blindsided by fallen people’s sinful attitudes and actions (including ourselves). When we fail to be alert, we keep falling into the traps of flesh-driven preference seeking. Churches that open the windows to conflict devolve into infighting, blaming, and accusing. Such churches gaze inwardly and fail to see the big picture of the Great Commission. Be cautious during these windows of conflict.