Overcoming Church Conflicts Essay Example for Free

Overcoming Church Conflicts Essay It may come as a surprise for some yet Christian churches are not exempt from political problems and conflicts. Pastors, church workers, leaders, and other church members may become involved in bitter bickering and quarreling. Factions may be created, petty issues magnified, and problems blown out of proportion. As a result, the fellowship and the harmony in the Church, which is the Body of Christ, are replaced with discord, disunity, and recurring conflict. If conflict and quarrels go on unchecked, the overall health of the Church deteriorates and before long, it might simply self-destruct leading to split and broken relationships. Firestorm: A Book on Church Conflict Ron Susek’s book â€Å"Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts† deals with this important issue. He takes a look at church problems and conflicts, and the dynamics that a church undergoes as it self-destructs. The author does not only present theory and principles, he presents real-life scenarios and conflicts. In doing so, he presents what he called the church firestorm. Susek does not cringe in presenting the true situation in churches. A lot of Christians and church members tend to have a high regard for the church. In the sense that a church, since it is the Body of Christ, should have love and caring and not conflict or even any hint of discord and conflict. Yet, we are also aware that as humans, we do have our imperfections and we sin. Since the church is diverse and the people hold different opinions, if this scenario is coupled by sin, then the church may undergo a firestorm. Susek’s use of Firestorm as a metaphor is an apt description of church conflict left by itself without any attempt at healing and reconciliation. It devours with such force as a forest wildfire, which leaves a trail of ruin, loss, broken hearts and relationships. Conflict is a part of human life, and since humans are essentially involved in the church, then it would be wise for us to manage conflict and prevent it from destroying the church completely. Negative Traits and Problems Discussed by Susek A number of negative traits and sources of problems were discussed by Susek. These problems are present in most churches. These sources of conflict may be categorized under cultural problems, factions and leadership problems. There might be crash of cultures within the church brought about by impatient and misplaced idealism. If individuals are used as means to an end, then conflict also ensues. The church may also be wracked by factions and blind loyalties to various individuals in the church. This leads to an immature manner of handling differences in points of view and opinion. When people start pressing others to join their side, then conflict is magnified further. Some people inside the church may also think that their point of view is the only valid one and that all others are completely wrong. In these instances, the focus is no longer on spiritual behavior and brotherly love. Rather, it becomes one of politics, pride, and party. In this case, the interest of the church is compromised in favor of one’s own agenda. The issue of church leadership may also be an important factor in church conflicts. The leadership of the church—the pastors, the lay leaders, deacons, and other members of the leadership team play an important role in the escalation or prevention of church conflict. If these leaders then have other ambitions and agenda, or if they use their position to get what they want, then conflict becomes inevitable. Stubbornness and insubordination, on the other hand, also contributes to the problem. Leaders should also display maturity by recognizing their weaknesses, otherwise, conflict becomes greater. When some people in the church feels that things are no longer acceptable, then they may simply cry out and before long, a firestorm has ignited. Satan then exploits this situation to initiate the destruction of the church. Susek presented examples to bolster his arguments in the book. Some examples he cited are simply shocking and led to the bankruptcy and eventual closing of the church. Dealing with the Damage The Body of Christ is beloved by Christ, himself. As believers who love Christ, all means should be found out in order to prevent the complete destruction of the church. In this regard, Susek presented a number of great ideas on how to manage conflict within the church. He also discussed solid suggestions on how to implement Matthew 18. He boldly gives advice to elders of the church who are dealing with difficult situations in the church. If the conflict is truly difficult to manage, then the church may consider getting an ad hoc or temporary leader. This way, the leader who may be perceived to have vested interest may inhibit himself from the conflict. Leaders tend to be at the center of church conflicts. So when an interim leader is brought in, he can help deal with the issues. Since he also bring an outsider’s perspective, he may also be more objective. He also encourages congregation to deal with the problem and not dwell on who wins or loses. The minister can then use the pulpit in developing this kind of attitude among the members of the congregation. If conflict is still budding and about to explode, it would be wise for the leaders to start doing steps to mitigate the conflict. This way, greater damage would be prevented. Impact on a Minister’s Life Quite naturally, a minister would be at the forefront of some of the problems and conflicts inside the church. Most of the time ministers are at a loss on how to deal with conflicts, especially if they perceive that their job and their very self is on the line. The rigors of ministry, the combative attitude of various leaders in the church, the problems in leadership and an escalating conflict could take away the morale of the minister. Susek’s book, however, is a veritable guide for ministers in dealing with church conflict. The practical suggestions that Susek presented including the dynamics of firestorm and the stages he outlined are all helpful information for ministers to monitor the situation of their churches. When they see conflict escalating, then the minister can use the pulpit in preaching about the godly way of dealing with conflicts and avoid lambasting anyone. In cases of conflict, a minister’s family is also dragged into the process. When church conflicts escalate, the family, particularly the wife, tends to become the shock absorbers. In this regard, Susek’s book can also help a ministers’ family deal with the stress of the conflict and provide emotional support and encouragement.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee :: essays research papers

I’ve been reading a fascinating book about a little community in Alabama called To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book portrays lessons about life and the importance of telling the truth. One of the best lessons taught in this book is that doing the right thing isn’t always rewarded. There are three characters in this story that I’d like to tell how they play a part in this small community of Maycomb. These characters are Boo Radley, Scout, and Atticus. First let me talk about Boo Radley, also known as Arthur. Boo is the object of fascination for Jem, Scout, and Dill. He is a recluse who has remained in the house down the street from the Finch house for years. When he was younger he got into some trouble when he became involved with a group of rowdy kids from Old Sarum. One night they resisted arrest by Maycomb County’s beadle and locked him in the courthouse outhouse. After that, Arthur’s father, Mr. Radley, took him home and he wasn’t seen again for fifteen years. But it was said that one day Boo Radley stabbed his father in the leg with a pair of scissors while cutting newspaper clippings for his scrapbook. For this he was locked in the courthouse basement for many years before he came home again. From these stories learned from gossiping neighbors, Jem, Scout, and Dill made ghost stories of Boo Radley, and the other children in town were afraid of him as well. They said that he only came out at night to eat cats and squirrels, and he was the local spook. Boo, however, begins to win Scout and Jem over by leaving gifts for them in the knothole of an oak tree until his brother, Nathan, cements the knothole. Boo even covers Scout with a blanket on a cold night she and Jem spent in front of the Radley house while Miss Maudie’s house burned down. Boo was so quiet that Scout never even realized he’d covered her shoulders with the blanket until after the fact. After all the children’s attempts to drag Boo Radley from his house, he ends up saving them from Bob Ewell. Now let me talk about Scout. Originally named Jean Louise Finch, scout is the narrator. In the story she is looking back as an adult to the two years of her life when she learned courage and kindness and the importance of doing the right thing.

Anthony Case 1-2 & Anthony Case 2-3 Essay

Anthony Case 1-2: Kim Fuller 1. In order for Kim Fuller’s plastic bottle grinding business to get off the ground she will need to manage the business with non-accounting and accounting information. The following information to run the business is non-accounting information, as it is not owned by the company did not occur through a monetary transaction: 2 grind machine workers, 1 truck drive, 1 accountant, and the 2 contracts with bottling companies. The remaining information is categorized as accounting information, as it is owned by the company, may provide future economic resource, and occurred through a transaction: 1 used truck, 2 trailers, 1 used grinding machine, 1 new grinding machine, 1 new computer, 1 warehouse, 3 investors’ deposits, 1 mortgage loan, and the owner’s initial investment into the company. 2. Below is the beginning balance sheet for Kim Fuller’s Business. a.) [pic]b.) To address the question of how Fuller should go about putting a value on the company’s assets, she must utilize the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) regarding the worth of her assets. Specifically through these principles, Fuller will be able to determine the fair value or cost of each asset – as a transaction occurred for each purchased item of equipment. Additionally, she will be able to add the value of the Warehouse based on the value at the time of her purchase. Through associating a cost with each, Fuller can easily determine the company’s assets. c.) Based on the balance sheet at the onset of the business, the Owners’ Equity is valued at $165,000. 3. Once Fuller begins to make her sales she will need to determine her revenues and expenses, as she will acquire inventory and the sell the goods for monetary value, which generates revenue. In order for Fuller to stay on top of her accounting for these revenues and expenses, which are also known as â€Å"profits and loss†, the business should utilize an income statement. This will allow the business to determine the net income of the business, which filters in to the balance sheet through the retained earnings – underneath owners’ equity. It is advisable for Fuller to begin with an income statement weekly  until she grasps the concept of accounting. Later on she can move it out to bi-weekly updates, and eventually even out to monthly – if the revenue stream is slower. Anthony Case 2-3: Lone Pine Cafà © 1. Balance sheet for Loan Pine Cafà © as of November 2, 2005. [pic]2. Balance sheet for Loan Pine Cafà © as of March 30, 2006. [pic]3. I believe that the partners would not have been able to receive their proportional share of the Owners’ Equity, as they would forfeit their rights to the business with the theft of assets (cash register and contents). Therefore, the entire Owners’ Equity to be earned would fall upon Mrs. Antoine, the lone remaining partner of the business.

Fate Vs Fate Essay - 1649 Words

Fate can be thought about as life being predetermined for the entirety of your days. From the early writings from Homer, specifically in the poem, The Iliad, there is a clear representation of whether it is free will or fate after all. Although we may never know whether there is a predetermined path or rather just free, it can only make one wonder. For most Greek Mythology, it is been evident that most of people’s decisions were not free will but rather fate itself. While people think they have free will, it may just be fate after all. Fate or free will is evident in the poem The Iliad. In the Iliad, there are endless struggle between the ideas of fate against free will, throughout the whole poem. More specifically, in Books 6 and 22, it†¦show more content†¦Do it. But don’t expect us all to approve.†(Book 22, Lines 202-204) In this scene, Zeus, is discomforted by the fact that he cannot prevent Hectors death, or his fate. As he tries to intervene, Zeus speaks out loud to Athena. She quickly reminds him that things happen in life but not everything have a justification at the time for it. This is a reminder to the reader that even though the Gods wish to control every outcome maybe some things are just life meeting its fate. Taking a step back to analyze this situation helps put the idea of free will versus fate. Hector in battle took one of Achilles best friend’s life, Patroclus. Prior to his friends death, Achilles refused to continue and fight Agamemnon’s battle. Patroclus’s free will he takes matters into his own hands and goes into battle with Achilles armor. In doing so his life is cut short by Hector, who thinks he has slain the great warrior Achilles. This scene helps reinforce that things may happen to help fate be pushed on or perhaps some are acting on free will which make things twist. Further saying, that before Achilles good friend was slain, he was ready to return his homeland and live a life without glory. Instead, like the god’s had portrayed, his fate was to meet his death in Troy dying like a hero like his mother had envi sioned. In the book 22, we see the pursuit of Hector trying to escape hisShow MoreRelatedFate Vs Fate Essay1401 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Odyssey propose interesting insights into the role of fate and choice in the human experience. Neither the Odyssey nor The Epic of Gilgamesh gives a black or white answer to the question of human autonomy versus divine control. Instead, this paper will argue that both epics suggest that human life has important elements of both divine control and human autonomy. Once an individual is able to accept the more general parts of their fate that lay beyond their control such as their identity and theirRead MoreFate Vs Fate Essay1437 Words   |  6 Pagesthe Odyssey propose interesting insights into the role of fate and choice in the human experience. Neither the Odyssey nor The Epic of Gilgamesh gives a black or white answer to the question of human autonomy versus divine control. Instead, this paper will argue that both epics suggest that human life has important elements of both divine control and human autonomy. Once an individual is able to accept the more general parts of their fate that lay beyond their control such as their identity and theirRead MoreFate Vs Fate Essay1781 Words   |  8 PagesFate can be thought as life being predetermined for the entirety of your days. From the early writings of Homer, specifically in the poem, The Iliad, there is a clear representation of whether it is free will or fate after all. Although we may never know whether there is a predetermined path or rather just free, it can only make one wonder. For most Greek Mythology, it is been evident that most of people’s decisions were not free will but rather fate itself. 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The characters struggle through confusion and conflicts to be with the one they love. Although the course of their love did not go well, love ultimately triumphs over all at the end of the play. The chaos reaches a climax causing great disruption among the lovers. However, the turmoil is eventually resolved by PuckRead MoreFree Will vs. Fate in The Winters Tale Essay1645 Words   |  7 Pagesagainst Nature. She represents what was meant to be, what has been divinely decided. Even though they are father and daughter, they are complete opposites. Leontes represents our human ability to exercise free will, and Perdita represents the power of Fate over our lives. Early in the play, Leontes shows his own fallible nature. He reveals himself to be a jealous, self-doubting tyrant. He brings about the his own demise, curses his family and dooms his own child to death. Though these characteristicsRead MoreOedipus the King: Fate Vs Free Will Essay639 Words   |  3 Pages Oedipus the King, was written by Sophocles between C.A.496-406B.C. In this play, Oedipus is a great example of Sophocles’ belief that fate will control a man’s life no matter how much free will exists. Oedipus is a man of unflagging determination and perseverance, but one who must learn through the working out of a terrible prophecy that there are forces beyond any man’s conceptualization or control. Oedipus’ actions were determined before his birth, yet Oedipus’ actions are entirely determined