Corps Conflict
A few days ago, I referred to corps conflict in my blog "Corps Team." One of the comments was seeking more information on SA Corps conflict, which I do not have. I would be interested in any one who knows of such material that we might refer to.
What I do know is that a Christian Group known as Metanoia Ministries does have such information related to church conflict and resolution.
Book Title: Making Peace - A Guide to Overcoming Church Conflict
Author: Jim Van Yperen
Website: www.changeyourmind.net
I admit to only being familiar with this book and Metanoia Ministries through the advice of a reliable friend whose church is happily using their services. I hope this is helpful.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
What I do know is that a Christian Group known as Metanoia Ministries does have such information related to church conflict and resolution.
Book Title: Making Peace - A Guide to Overcoming Church Conflict
Author: Jim Van Yperen
Website: www.changeyourmind.net
I admit to only being familiar with this book and Metanoia Ministries through the advice of a reliable friend whose church is happily using their services. I hope this is helpful.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
posted by Jim Knaggs | 8:02 AM
7 Comments:
Great read!
I read this book upon a friend’s recommendation and applied many of the techniques outlined. It is such a motivating and life changing book. I believe many followers of Christ would benefit significantly from reading this book.
Highly effective! Thank you for this!
I’m a believer!
Thank you. I'll have to read it when I get back to the office.
Many thanks! I recommend the work of the Mennonites, who have great expertise in this area. I have recently been on a course taught by Alastair McKay of the London Mennonite Centre and David Brubaker, who is researching in this area. His bio details are on http://www.emu.edu/ctp/ctp-all.html and I commend him to you as a teacher and ongoing inspiration in this area! He introduced himself to us as someone who had spent many years 'in clergy sexual misconduct'. While we all recovered, he went to explain he had been working extensively with churches in crisis situations of this and other causes. Through the London Mennonite Centre, http://www.menno.org.uk/ I have been able to obtain some seriously good reading lists and books on this area - though they import most of them from the US so you would be able to obtain them more directly. I understand through the LMC our cadets here in the UK are now receiving training in handling church conflict, and it is being integrated into ongoing professional training for officers. All very encouraging. It brings to mind the statistic which is very relevant in a UK context, 40 per cent of UK population is 'de-churched', having been in church but left at some point. A college chaplain I spoke to recently said that everywhere she talks to Christian students she finds young people who have somehow been hurt, alienated or disappointed by their experience of church. Through reflecting on this I have been coming to appreciate how much creating emotionally healthy congregations, with a deep and affirming experience of community, is mission in itself. The real acid-test definition of community for me is that the people in the group have a commitment to work through conflict rather than disassociating themselves from the group.
Pax et bonum
How about the Bible as a resource for conflict management...Cor 12 for starters among many others. Oh the grief that such a thing even exists within the body of Christ. The fist punching itself in the eye, bringing blindness so that we can't see the enemy approaching...sigh...
Thanks to Lana and Tara. Both of you get it.
I was a member of a church that used the Peacemaker Ministry (www.hispeace.org) to head off a brewing conflict. It's a great program and was very successful -- it definitely headed off what would have been a very troubled time.
Not to stray too far off topic, but I do want to share one thing. I've been worshipping at the Salvation Army for a little over a year now and, as I learn more about it and start beginning the process of becoming a soldier, I've noticed something on a more broad scale. In general, it's been my experience that many church members tend to be short-sighted and even myopic. I think we all, individually, have our own vision of what the universal church should be and many people tend to focus on conforming their home church to their vision -- from what I've been through, this is where much conflict originates. The conflict seems to almost always starts with something minor -- the color of the new carpet, giving a certain person responsibility for something, the style of the pews, buying/selling an organ, etc and, before you know it, there's talk of booting the pastor or a mass of people leaving the church. I've been absolutely amazed at how The Salvation Army cultivates a broader view of hand to man, heart to God -- I've never felt so welcomed, so warmy embraced and so accepted at face value as I have at the Army. I have never been to a church that takes their responsibilities to their communities more seriously and really makes a significant difference in Christ's name. Sure, the Army isn't perfect -- it's made up of people and people certainly aren't perfect.
To those who are adherents, soldiers and officers who look at the Army and see a seriously flawed organization, I'd encourage you to take a broad view of the universal church and, more importantly, at what the bible says about churches -- look hard at what the Army is doing and how it conforms to what Christ commands. I doubt you'll find another church that does a better job of striving to live up to the Great Commission.
(Jumping off my soap box now!)
Thanks, Scott. Your experience and recommendatios are very helpful.
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