Have you noticed there’s been a little tension in our country lately? Just a hint of consternation and conflict?
I’m teasing, of course. There’s been so much acrimony and division it’s turned social media into a battlefield and family gatherings into war zones. Anger is literally pouring out onto the streets. Some are warning of a civil war. And it’s not confined to secular circles; the church has been affected too. Sometimes conflicts are worthwhile, but often we add to the rancor by prioritizing being right rather than seeking to understand.
I was reminded of this truth when I read “Is Being Right Always the Right Thing?” In the article, Jeff Peabody writes, “Church history is pockmarked with righteous thinking gone awry. Each of us can develop myopia around the issues we identify as nonnegotiable, while trampling over other vital Christian values.” Ouch! I needed to read that. While we’re on the subject, check out our Handling Conflict assessment pack. It contains 6 assessment tools to help your team prevent conflict when possible—and deal with in in a healthy way when you can’t.