Navigating Church Staff Conflict: A Four-Step Playbook
Conflict is an inevitable part of any organization, including churches. How we address these conflicts can significantly influence the trust, morale, culture, and overall church staff health. The manner in which we handle these situations tells the real story. Today, we'll walk through a practical approach to managing staff conflict, beneficial whether you are a lead pastor, an executive pastor, or a team member.
Normalize Conflict
The first step in handling conflict, especially within a church context, is to realize that it's normal. Conflict isn't necessarily a crisis, but rather an almost guaranteed occurrence with a group of passionate, gifted, and opinionated individuals. The important aspect is how we choose to respond when conflicts arise.
Four-Step Conflict Playbook
To avoid letting conflict spiral out of control or erode team morale, here is a practical playbook for conflict management on your church staff:
1. Observe: The first step is observation. Watch for patterns. Identify whether this is a recurring issue or just a one-time situation. Addressing it early prevents the situation from reaching toxic levels.
2. Name it: Once you've observed the situation, it's critical to name it. Address it privately and humbly. Open a dialogue about what you're seeing and express a desire to understand the root cause of the conflict.
3. Navigate: The third step involves bringing all parties together to discuss the behaviors causing this conflict, not personalities. The goal is seeking to restore trust and solve the issue at hand.
4. Coach: Lastly, provide tools for any future situations. This may include communication guides or expectations. The goal isn't just to resolve the conflict but to promote development through the process.
Leverage Conflict for Growth
Conflict, when handled well, can actually foster trust and help church staff teams learn how to direct disputes toward a common goal. Healthy church teams are not those that never fight. They are the teams that learn how to fight for one another, not against each other.
Conclusion
Remember, avoidance of conflict is a much bigger issue than the conflict itself. Conflict can promote growth and unity when managed correctly.
For more on navigating conflict within a church staff context, listen to today's Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode. Learn how to use conflict as a tool to foster trust, communication, and a healthier working environment.
