May the church resolve conflicts biblically?

The nation was shocked when 14 pastors were sent to prison for contempt of court.  The media covered the event extensively and it was really sad to see pastors taken to police cells and later transported to Correctional Services.  I will not dwell on the case itself, as it is now in the hands of competent authority. 

Is the church immune to conflicts, I say no?  Any institution is bound to go through challenges including conflict.  This to me demonstrates that, while, believers have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they are still fallible human beings. The Holy Bible, which is Christian guide, covers issues of conflict in the church extensively.   

What may cause conflict in church?

Conflict in the church may be due to, among other things, sin, conflict with leadership, conflict between believers. For example, believers who blatantly sin pose a conflict for the church as described in 1 Corinthians 5.

The church that does not deal with sin among the members will open the door to more problems.  The church is not called to be judgmental, but is expected to confront and restore believers as reflected in 1 Corinthians 5:11.

At times, believers might not be content with the direction of church leaders.  This was the case early in the history of the church (Acts 6:1-7) – complaints about the lack of care of a certain group in the church were taken up with the leaders, to avoid gossip and factionalism to avoid gossip and factionalism. This was promptly addressed and the church grew (Acts 6:7)

Role of church umbrella bodies

With regard to the pastors who were in conflict with the law, I regard this as wake up call to the Church fraternity in the kingdom, in particular the church umbrella bodies, including the Conference of Eswatini Churches, the Council of Swaziland and the League of African Churches. These bodies need to develop mechanism to assist denominations and churches to resolve conflicts.  

In the early church, conflicts were a challenge. Hence, James 4:1 says: “What causes fights among you? Don’t they come from the desires that battle within you”. This is a clear indication that conflict in church can be attributed to our sinful nature. 

Paul addresses the conflict in Corinth very succinctly: ‘If anyone has a dispute with another, dare he take it to before ungodly for judgement instead of before the saints.  In 6:4 he says: ‘Therefore, if anyone has a dispute appoint as judges among you’. In verse 6 he says: ‘Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge disputes between believers’.    

The church umbrella bodies must not just view this as a problem confronting a denomination, this undermines the role of the church as the salt of the world.  The church is expected to offer solutions to the many challenges confronting Eswatini society.

The warring parties should remember to take care of the flock that God has entrusted to them (1 Peter 5:2). Conflicts divide the church into various camps. The church leaders should, therefore, protect the members.

How should conflicts be managed in churches?

Dr Michelle Bengitson proposes seven principles:

1. Before addressing any conflict, pause to seek God’s guidance. James 1:5 assures us, ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given to him’.
2. When we approach conflict prayerfully; we’re more likely to act with humility and discernment rather than impulsivity, pride, or anger. There is need to approach conflict with a heart of humility, which fosters mutual understanding and paves the way for possible reconciliation.
3. The Bible calls us to speak truthfully, but with love as our foundation. Ephesians 4:15 instructs: ‘Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ’. This means addressing the issue honestly, but without harshness or condemnation.
4. James 1:19 offers wise counsel: ‘Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger’. When we prioritise listening, we’re better equipped to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally. 
5. Matthew 5:23-24 emphasises the importance of mending relationships: ‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar’.
6. When conflict arises, the temptation to vent or seek validation from others can be strong. However, Proverbs 16:28 warns: “A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends”.
7. Forgive as Christ Forgave: Colossians 3:13, forgive as the Lord forgave you. ‘While forgiveness doesn’t excuse wrongdoing, it frees us from bitterness and opens the door to restoration’.