by Peacemakers

June 2008

Ok, most of us have heard the joke about going to a fight and a hockey game breaks out. However, it really is not funny when there is conflict in your church.

Yet, because of the multitude of decisions connected with your church building program it is very easy for members to differ and then move to "intense discussions" (read that--arguments) about some aspect of design, furnishing, funding, etc.

The MasterBuild Process contains a section on biblical conflict resolution. Here is a link to an article on a great web site we recommend as a resource for conflict resolution www.peacemaker.net

Church construction is not just about building your facilities; the entire process more importantly is an opportunity to spiritually build your people.

You know conflict is going to happen unless you are building in heaven and your congregation is full of angels. So be prepared, for the glory of God and the good of your people, to handle differences biblically rather than just having people act or react on emotion.   

CCRC recommends additional resources on biblical conflict resolution:  The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide for Resolving Church Conflict by Ken Sande and Making Peace: a Guide to Overcoming Church Conflict by Jim Van Ysperen.

Our signature publication The MasterBuild Process (available from our store) will help you avoid congregational conflicts, money-wasting mistakes, and frustrating hours of meetings. These information-gathering and decision-making steps will help your building committee more effectively work with architects, builders, or church construction companies.