The pandemic was rough for churches. They were required to limit in-person gatherings for a time and adopt a variety of protocols when they did meet. But according to most pastors I’ve talked to, the bigger challenges came from within. The politicization of the pandemic created a lot of angry parishioners who became embroiled in bitter battles with each other and church leadership. In too many cases, whole churches split over these fights.

I joked to a friend that I miss the good old days when Christians fought over theology and not politics. It’s sad to see and it underscores the importance of reestablishing unity in our churches. It also reminded me of our resource on Avoiding All Out Church War. Sadly, it’s a needed resource right now. It teaches leaders common reactions people have in an argument, tips for running productive mediation sessions, and guidelines for restoring peace to your church.

I also want to encourage you to read Philip Yancey’s recent piece on Ukraine’s tragic history. It will help you better understand the situation unfolding now and encourage you to pray them during this brutal invasion.