In Preaching Articles: "Church Conflict"

Courageous Conversations - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 4, 2023

Here is my track record. Hundreds of times I have talked myself out of having a courageous conversation. EVERY time I have finally had the courageous conversation, I walked away wishing I had done it sooner.

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: conflict, Courageous, church conflict, speaking truth

6 Things To Do When Someone Insults You

By Josh Reich on Apr 13, 2023

You know the conversation. Someone in your church asks to meet with you, or you set up the meeting because you know they are angry at you, the church or a decision that was made.

Tags: Hurt, church conflict, Dealing with Conflicts, Leadership Listening

3 Keys To Making Change Stick In Your Church

By Charles Stone on Jul 12, 2023

Change is inevitable. And unless a church creates healthy change in itself, it will soon become obsolete.

Tags: leadership, Change, church conflict, Leadership Listening, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

In Times Of Conflict—preach Joy!

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 15, 2025

Regardless of your church's climate, one thing remains true: The preacher's task is to preach with joy, whether the conditions are desirable or undesirable.

Tags: Holy Spirit, Communication, Joy, Preaching, conflict, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Resolve Most Relational Conflict

By Jon Bloom on Nov 4, 2022

"Few things sap more of our joy, are as emotionally demanding and mentally distracting, as relational conflict. And few things wreak as much havoc and destruction on lives as relational conflict. And so much of it is avoidable."

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-36, James 4:1, Matthew 18:21-35, 1 Peter 5:6, Philippians 2:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Peace, Humility, conflict, resolving conflict, Love Others, Dealing with Conflicts, selfish ambition, Humility and Pride  (view more)  (view less)

The Top Ten Sources Of Discouragement For Pastors

By Thom Rainer on May 19, 2024

“Is this valley I am going through normal for pastors?”

Tags: Criticism, Discouragement, church conflict, pastoral leadership, Financial Management, family dynamics, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, criticism  (view more)  (view less)

When Church Members Insist On Their Rights.

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 23, 2022

“Consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest you also grow weary and lose heart,” (Hebrews 12:3).

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-44, Matthew 26:53, Hebrews 12:3, 1 Corinthians 6:7, Psalm 103:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, conflict, Pastoral Ministry, Example of Christ

One Hard Truth Of Leadership

By Ron Edmondson on Sep 2, 2022

There is one truth about leadership every leader must understand, but is difficult to receive by some leaders. The probability is good you won’t like this truth either.

Tags: leadership, church conflict, fear of man, People pleasing, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, good leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Team-Killers In Church Leadership

By Matt Steen on Jul 8, 2020

Healthy church teams don’t fail overnight. These five leadership behaviors quietly erode trust, unity, and effectiveness long before visible conflict appears.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, Proverbs 11:14, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:1-4, Romans 12:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Community, unity, Teamwork, team building, church leadership, community, Unity, Church Leadership, Team Building  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Deadly Statements Of Church Members

By Thom Rainer on Oct 12, 2022

"Words have meaning. And if church members start articulating words consistently, those words begin to reflect the priorities and passions of the church."

Tags: conflict, relationships, Church worship, pastoral leadership, church membership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

Every Church Staff Team Needs A Little Bit Of Friction

By Brandon Cox on Nov 19, 2023

"Eliminate friction!!" That’s the goal most of us have when it comes to leading a team, or a church, or a company. But what if friction is actually the key to getting things moving in the right direction?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: leadership, strategy, conflict, Teamwork, Tension, pastoral leadership, Friction, Team Dynamics, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How To Stay At One Church For 40+ Years

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 16, 2026

Discover timeless wisdom on staying rooted in one church for 40 years. Learn key habits, mindset shifts, and relational tools that sustain long-term ministry.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Conflict Resolution, how to stay, preaching, Church Leadership, Ministry Longevity  (view more)  (view less)

Those Frustrating Times With Church Members

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2023

"Any pastor can tell you about it. Even when you do your best to serve God by ministering to His people, some church members are not going to forgive you. You didn’t do it their way, weren’t there when they called, didn’t jump at their bark." So how do you handle these kinds of situations?

Tags: conflict, pastoral leadership, church membership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, ministry struggles, Difficult People, Love like Christ  (view more)  (view less)

5 Pastoral Emergencies That Aren’t Emergencies

By Carey Nieuwhof on May 17, 2024

"If you’ve been in ministry for any length of time, you know the challenge of trying to move the mission forward and handle the pastoral needs of a congregation at the same time. One of the most perplexing problems pastors and church leaders face is how to handle ‘pastoral emergencies’—the crises that come up in the lives of people that they look to you to help solve."

Tags: resolving conflict, Time Management, crisis response, conflict management, pastoral leadership, questions, Pastoral Ministry, avoiding burnout  (view more)  (view less)

3 Myths About Contentment

By Peter Walters on May 22, 2022

The school of hard knocks taught Paul that you learn, not earn, contentment.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:10, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:10-14, James 3:16, Ephesians 4:32  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Contentment, Discontentment, Dealing with Conflicts, Myths