Our congregation felt the strain of the pandemic. There were the logistical challenges of jumping into livestreaming and the restrictions of the lockdowns. But those paled in comparison to the interpersonal conflict we experienced. Some people felt our church should have never stopped meeting, even for a time. They strenuously objected to wearing masks in the sanctuary, insisting we were acquiescing to the government and putting the fear of man before the fear of God. Others bristled because they believed we weren’t taking the pandemic seriously enough. If we loved our neighbor, shouldn’t we all continue wearing masks even after restrictions had eased?
I know we’re not alone. Every pastor I talked to reported conflict over the pandemic. Some churches were torn apart by it. Considering all the acrimony that transpired, this challenge is desperately needed: It’s Time to Forgive Each Other Our Pandemic Sins. In the article, Paul D. Miller points out how confusing the pandemic was for the churches and
for government and calls on Christians to lead the world into a spirit of amnesty.
The pandemic won’t be the last issue that roils the church. Conflict is inevitable. Our resource on the topic will help you deal with it well. Handling Conflict includes how-to articles, assessments, case studies, and devotionals from a variety of respected leaders that will prepare you for the next conflict your church experiences.
