The meeting of Grace Christian Church. We meet in person and stream services every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST in Manalapan, New Jersey.
Chapter Ten: Christ-Centered Conflict Resolution, Chapter Eleven: Practical Application Of Christ-Centered Ministry Principles, and Chapter Twelve: What Does A Church That Christ Builds Look Like? (from a grace-based Christian teaching resource, likely tied to njgrace.org or similar emphasis on Christ as life/source, abiding, and dependence on the Spirit over flesh).Chapter Ten: Christ-Centered Conflict ResolutionA. Sources of Church Conflict
- The Flesh (primary source of all conflict)
- Definition: Man's desire to live independently of God, with self as source ("It's about me" — control, meeting own needs/wants/expectations, self-success, being one's own god).
- Biblical basis: Romans 7:14, 18 — nothing good dwells in the flesh; sold into bondage to sin.
- Overflow: Fleshly behaviors/toxic deeds (Galatians 5:19-21 — immorality, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, dissensions, factions, envy, etc.).
- Result: Mind set on flesh leads to "death" (Romans 8:6) — including conflict, division; mind set on Spirit brings life and peace.
- Especially insidious: Self-righteous flesh — pride, arrogance, manipulation/control (often in leadership to push agendas).
- Ways flesh creates conflict: Insisting on personal plans/ideas, forcing "rightness," members demanding changes to suit themselves, manipulation, leaders controlling others.
- Analogy: Flesh as soul cancer — can be mild (Stage 1) or destructive (Stage 4), ruining leaders/churches.
- Question for reflection: Examples of flesh-caused conflict seen/experienced.
- Satan/Demons (secondary, works through flesh)
- Strategy: Steal, kill, destroy the church (John 10:10); greatest fear is God's truth taught/lived out.
- Method: Tempt church/leadership to minister from flesh instead of Spirit → puts church in his grip.
- Tactics: Rely on own IQ/ability/power independent of God; control congregation; deceive members into conflict over unmet needs; persuade no need for Christ to build church.
- Uses anyone/anything to create division.
B. Resolving Church Conflict in Christ
- God's Truth Concerning Conflict
- Ultimate purpose: Unity in the church (John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3) — seek unity without compromising truth; shepherd conflicters to truth.
- God wants Christians to grow up spiritually (Ephesians 4:15) — immature "babies" create ongoing conflict.
- God transforms believers into Christ's likeness (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18) → overflow is unity.
- Only God changes hearts (1 Thessalonians 3:12; Psalm 33:15) — leaders can't force it.
- Two Key Truths for Resolution
- View all conflict through a Christ-centered lens (God's truth): Heart for unity; rely on Christ's wisdom/discernment (not own); Holy Spirit alone changes hearts.
- Deal with conflict with Christ-like attitudes (produced by Holy Spirit dependence): Love, humility, discernment, wisdom, grace, patience, forgiveness, boldness, etc.
- Love: Correct/exhort in love; love despite fleshly behavior (Jesus loved Pharisees and children equally, expressed differently).
- Humility: Value others, listen objectively, care about concerns, seek Christ-centered solutions.
- Discernment/Wisdom: Draw on Christ's (not finite human) insight; listen to Spirit while hearing person.
- Grace: Extend to unreasonable or immature people; shepherd to Christ.
- Patience: Christ's patience can't be robbed by others' anger.
- Exercise: Choose 3 attitudes and describe application to conflict.
Chapter Eleven: Practical Application of Christ-Centered Ministry Principles
- Present every idea/plan/agenda to God for revelation (is it from Him?).
- Minister with continual seeking/dependence on Lord.
- Pray with others for confirmation of God's plans.
- Maintain spiritual vigilance against Satan's fostering of dead works/conflict.
- Die to non-God plans/agendas/expectations.
- Do all with dependence on God's life/ability/power.
- Be content without knowing every step; let God surprise.
- Participate with God's power (not self).
- Stay sensitive to Spirit's direction/changes.
- Willing to adjust course as God leads.
- Exercise: Apply truths to co-ministering with team.
Chapter Twelve: What Does a Church That Christ Builds Look Like?
- Totally dependent on Christ as source (John 15:5 — abide or do nothing).
- Looks like Christ — transformed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).
- Supernatural transformation — renewed mind, not conformed to world (Romans 12:2).
- Spiritually attractive — draws Christians/non-Christians (2 Corinthians 2:14; John 12:32 — lift up Jesus).
- Ministers from overflow of Christ's life/power (2 Corinthians 4:6-7; John 7:38 — rivers of living water).
- Unconditionally loves — draws through God's love (2 Corinthians 8:24).
- Glorifies God (Romans 11:36 — from/through/to Him).
Where Do I Go From Here?
- Recommendation: Check website for "Growing Up – Growing Out – Growing Deep" discipleship series (Book 1: Growing to Become Like Christ) — covers spiritual maturity, living "THE" Christian life vs. "A" life, hindrances to growth, transformation in all areas.
This material aligns with grace-focused teachings (Christ as life, flesh vs. Spirit, abiding/dependence over self-effort), emphasizing resolution through Christ-centered lens, Holy Spirit dependence, and unity/transformation over fleshly control or conflict.
