Conflict Management!
This has been probably one of the most valuable things I've ever learned. Serving in ministry for over 17 years now, I have come in contact with many different personalities, types and my fair share of conflict. This has helped me manage conflict in a healthy manner.
There are basically 3 levels of conflict.
1.Methods
2.Goals.
3.Values
Methods: are the most common arena of conflict.
(songs we sing, Use click track or no click track, carpet colors, News letter layout, Part Cd’s,..should they be sung or plunked out with a piano, the way we handle a situation, etc.)
I'll add PROCESSES.
Goals: are less common, but the battles can be more intense.
(what type of out-reach we do. Ministry structures, Leadership structure, Orchestra growth, Choir growth, Youth choir, children’s choir,)
Values: are the most intense levels of conflict.
(doctrine, Integrity issues, character etc.)The “higher” the level of conflict, the more difficult to resolve.
Method disagreements are more of a pain as they are more common, but in many cases people can get through it….. but if God has called you to a place where you are in agreement with the “Values” of the leader God is placing you under, you need to work to understand and support that leader. You may differ on goals. There may be some intense method issues you disagree with. But you MUST leave those conflicts at the method or goal level.
Hope this helps!!!