Responding to Conflict

When there is potential conflict or actual full-blown conflict there can be a variety of ways to respond. We can make no response, which can be described as conflict avoidance or denial. The downside of avoidance and denial is that disputes, rather than being constructively managed, slowly simmer until they explode, catching us and often the rest of the congregation off guard. There are of course times when no response is required other than prayer. ‘No response’ should never be motivated by fear.

We can make an inappropriate response which is usually because of an absence of analysis or a poor analysis of the situation. This is often the case when we react emotionally.