Conflict Management

Part 1 – Understanding Conflict

• How do you define conflict?
• Why is the Bible the key understanding conflict?
• Conflict in the Bible
• What causes conflict among God’s people?
• Sources of Confusion in Conflict
• How can you become aware of conflict in a church?
• What are the different type of conflict?
• When is the church more likely to experience conflict?
• Uniqueness of the Church and Conflict

Part 2 – Impact of Conflict

• Why is conflict so acute among Christians?
• Why is it so often the leaders of the church are embroiled in conflict?
• How can one person involve a whole church in a conflict?
• What is the crippling effect of conflict in the church?
• Do relationships help or hinder conflict?
• What are the results of conflict?

Part 3 – Patterns of Conflict

• Are there patterns in a church’s experience with conflict?
• Can a church become entrenched in patterns of conflict?
• Does conflict in the church follow a particular cycle?
• How can you change an established pattern of conflict?

Part 4 – Communication During Conflict

• Why is clear communication essential in managing conflict?
• What are good communication strategies during conflict?
• What is communication theory and how does it impact conflict?

Part 5 – Successfully Managing Conflict

• What does it mean to “manage conflict”?
• What is needed to successfully manage conflict?
• When is a third-party needed to resolve a conflict?
• How do you handle criticism, especially from “problem” people?
• How are “power” and “change” used in conflict?
• How do you handle acute conflict in the Church?
• Is it possible for people with totally opposite views to live in harmony with one another?

Part 6 – Styles of Managing Conflict

• Steps to Successfully Manage Conflict
• Biblical Principles for Managing Conflict

Part 7 – Case Studies in Conflict Management

1. A Christian School on Church Property
2. Managers Who Will Not Work Together
3. A Committee With a Bully
4. Younger People Versus Older People
5. It’s My Church Not Yours, Pastor!

Book Analysis

• William A. Donahue and Robert Kolt’s Managing Interpersonal Conflict
• Roger Fisher and William Ury’s Getting To Yes