Church Conflicts

Church Conflicts.

TEXT: 1 Cor. 1:10-13.

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

There are divisions in the Church today as there were in the early Church and there is little or nothing that we can do to completely eliminate it but it might be managed to remove rancour and bitterness. It is my opinion that if we are able to know the causes of the conflicts then we can begin to proper solutions to them.

There are four main factors responsible for divisions and wrangling in the church.

1. MEMBERSHIP FACTOR

The issue of division in the Church can be traced to the members of a particular church and if care is not taken it may engulf the whole Church and destroy it. Below are some of the actions of members that could cause division;

• Formation of social class within the Church. Rom. 12:16; Ps. 131:1-2; Eph. 2:12-14; Prov. 19:4; Matt.10:23

• Gossiping. Prov. 11:13; Prov. 16:28; II Cor. 12:20; Prov. 26:20; Eccl. 10:20

• Comments that are made about the ministers’ character or style of preaching. I Cor.1:12-13.

• Comments and judgments made about other people without or with a valid proof. Matt. 7:1; Jn. 7:24; Rom. 14:4. Jas. 5:9. Isa. 11:3

• Failure to get members occupied with the Gospel. Lk. 19:13; Acts. 13:2; Eph. 4:11

• Failure to expand the church and create more avenues for service

2. MINISTERIAL FACTOR

We have seen in so many ways in which church members could be responsible for divisions within their own Church but we also want to look at the Ministerial factors responsible for division.

• Public accusation or condemnation of a minister by another minister. 2 Tim. 3:8; Gal 2:11; 1Tim. 5:9; Mk. 15:3; Acts. 6:11; Pro. 18:7

• Round-peg in a square hole minister. I Tim. 3:1-13; Deut. 32:28-29

• Struggle for leadership. Jam. 4:1-2

• Lack of managerial tactics and quietness. Ecll.3:7, Ps. 131:2, I Thess. 4:11; Isa. 30:15; II Cor.1:10; Prov. 24:3

• Too close friendship of ministers with the Church members. James. 4:4

• Failure to stand up as a national leader could make a pastor an ethnic leader, championing the cause of a particular group within the Church. Ps. 133:3; Matt. 12: 47-49; Eph. 2:9; Isa. 56:6-7.

• Failure to teach the truth and put God in His rightful place. Isa. 9:16; Matt.15:14; I Sam. 12:23; Rom. 2:21

1. SPIRITUAL FACTOR

Some other times division comes to the church through factors beyond the human. There are spiritual forces that could cause division within the Church. This could be from Satan or God Himself.

• The arrival of the truth where lies dominated. Lk. 12:51-52; Acts. 14:4 Ps. 43:3; Jn. 8:32

• God’s design to cause people to spread. Gen. 11: 4-8

• Sin against God. Deut. 4:25-27; Prov. 11:3

• God’s design to spread the Gospel. Acts. 11:19-20.

• Satan’s design to destabilize the church. Acts. 6:1; Rom. 16:17

• Satan’s design to quieting people from preaching the Gospel. Matt. 12:25 Acts 4:16-18

2. MONETARY FACTOR

Many people have said that money is the root of all evil but the Bible did not say so rather it says that the love of money is the root of all evil. There are several ways in which money can cause problems in the church:

Stealing of money by those entrusted with it. Jn.12:6; Eph. 4:28; Rom. 2:21; Zech. 5:3

• Misappropriation of fund. Matt.25:26-29

• Diversion of fund. In a situation where money meant for children toilet is used for the good women Convention.

• Delay in payment due. James.5:4.

• Too much emphasis on money against the word of God. Lk 12:29-31; 2 Kgs. 5:21-27;

• Ostentatious live style of leaders in the midst of a poverty stricken congregation. Lk.12:15; Phil. 4:5

• Lack of accountability and explanations of how funds are disbursed.

• Lack of concern for the poor in the church and members who are in dare needs. Acts. 6:1