The Costs of Unresolved Church Conflict. Church conflict can cause great pain and loss. Our checklist will help you determine how much trouble your church is in.

Understand the Stress of

Unresolved Church Conflict

“It just kills me when people are this ugly in any community, especially the church. What happened in the nominating committee last night was bald-faced character assassination. Nobody stopped it until I finally stepped in. Even then, they just sat there. Today Joan is still at it, spreading her poisonous lies about Sheila all over the congregation. What hurts so is how the people of this congregation play dead and let her keep on. I can't believe it. At times like this, it makes me sick to be the pastor of this church.” Frustrated Pastor

The Damage Church Conflict Causes

It saps the energy of those involved

Focus on ministry is diverted

There is a breakdown in essential communication

Unilateral decisions are made resulting in greater alienation and mistrust

The unity of the church is replaced by factions

Longtime friends are transformed into antagonists

Morale among staff and members plummets

Staff and/or members are leaving the church

There is a decline in giving (or will be if the conflict doesn't come under control)

The strain of the workload increases for those who are remain in the church as they try

to cover abandoned ministry posts

Vital ministries are at risk of shutting down or being reduced

There is a loss of the church's reputation in the community

Members are no longer inviting their friends and relatives to services or programs

Vision and hope for the future has grown dim

People's faith and the way they view the church are being negatively impacted

Practical Consideration: Membership & Money

An often overlooked fact is that if just a few regularly contributing families drop their membership because they are wounded or weary, the church will lose more income than the cost of the services of a skilled peacemaker. And the conflict will still be unresolved. And the number may not stop at a few families. A word to the wise: if your church is experiencing ongoing trouble, consider bringing in a conflict resolution expert. The expenditure will likely pale in comparison to the financial, emotional, and relational costs of departing members.

The above Checklist Provides a Snapshot of the Present

Now Consider Your Situation in Light of Its Past and

The Escalating Stages

of Unresolved Church Conflict

Click Chart