@makingchurchdecisions.com we have discussed what conflict is and how to deal with it. This article examines the 12 early warning signs that conflict may be brewing in your organization.
Danger Ahead
Just like a lighthouse warns ships that they are too close to the shoreline, there are signals that warn that conflict is in your midst. These danger signs are present whenever there is tension in your organization. The more signs that are present the higher the conflict level. The higher the level the more time you will need to devote to correcting the situation. Learning these signs allows you to take appropriate steps to correct the situation before it turns into the perfect storm.
12 Warning Signs (the first 6!)
1. No clear group purpose or vision
A church or organization that does not know why it exists drifts on the tendencies of yesterday. There is little motivation to try new ways of reaching people or making disciples. Without a vision the people perish. (sound familiar?) What is the purpose or vision in your organization? Do people know it? Is it compelling enough to draw people together to accomplish it?
2. Tradition becomes primary; change avoided
Churches in conflict hold onto the past as if it is their life-preserver. Change is held at bay. Unfortunately, this does not allow you to respond to the wonderful opportunities to be in ministry with your community. When tradition rules – people often lose.
3. Major decisions are put off or always under consideration
Ever been in a meeting and had a sense deja vu? That feeling that you have been here before and faced the same issue? Churches that try to keep the peace rarely face the decisions in their midst with grace. Instead, they talk things to death hoping that everyone will eventually get on bored. I wish this helped but it doesn’t. To be sure, talking through an issue is vital for a healthy organization. It allows creative options to surface and be implemented. However, putting off major decisions is rarely a good idea. There is a time for everything.
4. Frequent leadership turnover
Look over the leadership lists of your church for the last 5 years. Has there been frequent turnover? Have you changed pastors for poor reasons or blamed your leaders for how things are going? Do people think that getting rid of “them” solves the problems in your situation?
When people quit or become inactive there is often a good reason. Perhaps someone attacked them in a meeting or outside of it. Perhaps they did not feel that their contribution was valuable. Whatever the reason, when leaders quit it is usually a report card on how the organization is dealing with matters. We simply do not have the time to waste in being unproductive. Time is valuable.
5. People are content to sit back and criticize
Ah, it’s a bad sign when the unofficial quarterbacks come out in the midst of disagreements and make offensive statements about the work and motivations of others. True, Moses faced the murmurings of the Israelites when they were in exodus from Egypt. But today’s leaders do not have to put up with it. Does your organization tolerate unjustified negative statements to be made about others or allow a spirit of criticism to reign?
6. People leave meetings (and worship) quickly
Here is another important warning sign. What happens when your meetings or worship is over? Do people run to their cars to go home quickly or is there a sense of fellowship and support that lingers? When people leave quickly it is often because they do not want to be wrapped up in the drama of opposing positions or tensions. Not even the inducement of coffee or snacks will make them remain. This warning sign often signals that people are uncomfortable with one another or the situation they face.
What to do!
Review the list of these first six warning signs of conflict and make a note of the ones that you see present in your church. Remember to look beyond the leadership group as you look for the signs. Often the fraying of good relationships starts at the edges and not in the center.
If you see some of the signs of conflict starting to show up then start to address them straight away. There are many helpful articles in the archive of makingchurchdecisions.com that can help you to develop some strategies.
Above all, do not ignore the situation hoping that it will simply go away by itself. The very well-being of your organization is at stake.