Leading with Courage: Lessons in Confrontation from Apostle Paul

As leaders in a church staff, there will be times when we need to address issues or behaviors that can affect the health and growth of our ministry. It's in these moments that Apostle Paul serves as an exceptional guidepost. Known for robustly confronting complacency, error, or hypocrisy, even when met with opposition, Paul offers compelling insights into navigating these murky situations in church leadership.

Embrace the Challenge of Confrontation

Not everyone is wired like Paul, comfortable with confrontation. However, it is an instrumental aspect of leadership. Paul’s letters to the Corinthians testify to his clarity and directness while addressing issues of division, immorality, and spiritual immaturity. However, his confrontations weren’t intended to shame or condemn but rather to restore and reconcile. This motive, we see, is critical in all confrontations taking place in the church realm.

Principles for Healthy Confrontation

Below are a few principles from Apostle Paul’s example that can aid us in creating a healthy confrontation environment:

Speak the truth in love: It's crucial to remain motivated by love, seeking to restore or reconcile, than to assert our power and win an argument.
Be courageous: Challenging the status quo or addressing sensitive issues requires courage. As leaders, we are called to exhibit courage, just as Paul did.
Choose your battles wisely: Every issue doesn’t warrant a confrontation. Discern what concerns are essential to address and what's minor.
Focus on restoration: The goal of confrontation should always be restoration and reconciliation. Aim to build bridges, not burn them.
Pray for wisdom: Seek the Lord’s guidance before entering any confrontation. Ask for wisdom, discernment, and the right words to speak.

Conclusion

Paul's example serves as a reminder that, when executed with love and wisdom, confrontation can be a powerful tool for growth and transformation. If there is a challenging situation that needs to be addressed this week, pray for guidance, gather your courage, and speak the truth in love with the goal of restoration and reconciliation in mind.

Unearth more about Apostle Paul and the practices we can incorporate into our own leadership by listening to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode today.