In the last two issues we have considered the issue of conflict in church. My perspective on this problem has changed significantly over the past 30 years in ministry.
In the last two issues we have considered the issue of conflict in church. My perspective on this problem has changed significantly over the past 30 years in ministry.
Some of my former perspective was summarized in five myths about church conflict (July 9).
Then, in the last issue (July 23), we started considering biblical examples of church conflict.
The first one was conflict between church members. Now, let’s consider a second example of conflict in the Bible: Conflict between church leaders.
Peter and Paul are two titans of the New Testament. They stand above everyone else as preachers, writers, and leaders. They are the pre-eminent leaders of the early church, more responsible than any other leaders for the advance of the church in the first generation after Jesus’ ascension.
It may surprise you to learn they had an intense, open, public conflict.
Paul told the story in Galatians 2:11-14. In summary, Paul heard Peter was contradicting the gospel by his behavior among the Gentiles. Peter had stopped eating with Gentiles, thus withdrawing Christian fellowship from them. Peter, at least in Paul’s mind, had become a Judaizer – insisting Gentiles become Jews as part of their conversion to Jesus.
Peter’s actions were also troubling because he had influenced Barnabas to join him.
Paul uses strong language to describe his conclusion about Peter’s actions. Peter acted “because he feared those from the circumcision party.” Those Peter influenced had “joined his hypocrisy.”
Paul felt Peter was “deviating from the truth of the gospel.” Being controlled by fear, being a hypocrite, and compromising the gospel are strong accusations. Paul minced no words in describing his conclusions about Peter’s actions.
Paul felt so strongly about this situation he “opposed [Peter] to his face” and confronted Peter “in front of everyone.” Wow! What a church meeting that must have been!
Paul confronted Peter to his face in front of the church, accused him of being controlled by the fear of men, of being a hypocrite, and of compromising the gospel. This makes conflicts between church leaders today seem quite tame.
Paul and Peter had a major confrontation, a public showdown recorded for posterity in the Bible.
What can we learn from this story?
First, church leaders have conflict. Conflict is not reserved for immature, carnal believers or only for the casually involved. Sometimes, the most spiritually mature, committed, dynamic leaders will have conflict.
Second, conflict is necessary when it relates to important doctrinal matters like the nature of the gospel. Don’t be misled by the issue of Peter not eating with Gentiles. The underlying issue in this conflict is the nature of the gospel.
The gospel can’t be compromised and leaders are responsible to stand for the gospel, no matter if conflict is the result.
Third, some conflict can be public and intense. Christians don’t like to fight, much less fight in public. We want to present ourselves as a unified, gentle, loving people. While this should usually be our goal, when the stakes are high (like the nature of the gospel) our quest for truth trumps other goals.
What does this mean for you? If you are a church leader, it means you may have some conflict with other church leaders.
Just make sure the conflict matters. Make sure the conflict is over something as important as the nature of the gospel.
We lessen the respect our followers and unbelievers have for us when we diminish our leadership offices with trivial conflict.
If you are a church leader, you may also be involved in public conflict. That is the proverbial heat you have to stand if you stay in the kitchen.
Assuming a Christian leadership role almost guarantees you will have some conflict – particularly if you stand for the gospel.