24 research outputs found
Conflict resolution and reconciliation within congregations
‘Being church’ in today’s world is frought with challenges to traditional practice and contemporaneous opportunities. These challenges, differences, dilemmas and paradoxes, when not handled effectively, have the propensity to escalate into and along a conflict continuum. Conflict can arise at any time within a congregation and needs to be understood and handled theologically. This article addresses some areas within congregations that attract or incubate conflict and provides an overview of related theory of conflict. The research explores current perceptions, understandings and behavioural responses to conflict, personal and corporate experiences and observed outcomes of conflict within congregations. The exploratory study reveals certain disconnects between individual and corporate practice. Congregations in general are biased towards conflict avoidance, peacekeeping and reconciliatory measures – frequently at the expense of long-term resolution. Attaining both resolution and reconciliation appears to be a luxury and not the natural outcome one may expect within Christian fellowship. The perception, understanding and views of most congregants are not aligned to good theological principles and practice. The resultant behaviour mostly observed within congregations does not lead to reconciliation and to a lesser extent resolution. Despite the seemingly high presence of conflict within congregations, no specified education on the understanding, appreciation and handling of conflict in commonly used discipleship resources or dedicated programme was found. The article concludes with a view towards a future praxis of discipleship and leadership, which incorporates the theological understanding and handling of conflict. Broader means of assisting congregations in or post conflict to recovery are also presented
Conflict resolution and reconciliation within congregations
‘Being church’ in today’s world is frought with challenges to traditional practice and contemporaneous opportunities. These challenges, differences, dilemmas and paradoxes, when not handled effectively, have the propensity to escalate into and along a conflict continuum. Conflict can arise at any time within a congregation and needs to be understood and handled theologically. This article addresses some areas within congregations that attract or incubate conflict and provides an overview of related theory of conflict. The research explores current perceptions, understandings and behavioural responses to conflict, personal and corporate experiences and observed outcomes of conflict within congregations. The exploratory study reveals certain disconnects between individual and corporate practice. Congregations in general are biased towards conflict avoidance, peacekeeping and reconciliatory measures – frequently at the expense of long-term resolution. Attaining both resolution and reconciliation appears to be a luxury and not the natural outcome one may expect within Christian fellowship. The perception, understanding and views of most congregants are not aligned to good theological principles and practice. The resultant behaviour mostly observed within congregations does not lead to reconciliation and to a lesser extent resolution. Despite the seemingly high presence of conflict within congregations, no specified education on the understanding, appreciation and handling of conflict in commonly used discipleship resources or dedicated programme was found. The article concludes with a view towards a future praxis of discipleship and leadership, which incorporates the theological understanding and handling of conflict. Broader means of assisting congregations in or post conflict to recovery are also presented
Conflict resolution and reconciliation within congregations
The foundational hypothesis to this study is that congregations which have a healthy
perception and a greater understanding of conflict will develop more effective responses
to conflict that will translate into more effective conflict resolution and reconciliation.
The process and sustainability of the development of a missional church, the context of
the study, is pregnant with potential conflict. Untamed conflict has the propensity to
retard, jeopardise or even destroy the development of a missional church. When
conflict arises, it must be understood and dealt with theologically. The inherent problem
is that conflict appears to be neither understood nor appreciated sociologically and
theologically. This knowledge and praxis vacuum has the potential for conflict to
translate into inappropriate or ineffective responses that do not always make for
effective resolution and reconciliation. The research focuses mainly on an empirical study based on the four practical
theological questions of Osmer (2008). Participants for this study were randomly
selected from specific sectors of Methodist congregations in the wider Pretoria area.
The research explores congregants’ perceptions, understanding and views of conflict;
their responses to conflict; and some felt and observed outcomes of conflict. The
presupposition is that the development of the local missional church would be more
effective and efficient when the management and process of conflict resolution and
reconciliation are well led and well managed. This study confirmed that conflict, despite its normalcy and necessity, carries a negative
undertone and is mostly avoided in congregations. This is compounded by the
evidence that there is little, if any, theological or scriptural understanding of conflict.
There is also no indication that churches intentionally and purposefully educate their
members to appreciate and understand conflict. In so doing, churches are harming
their innate calling as the glory and manifestation of God’s divine grace through faith
communities for the transformation of all peoples. Yet, the church understands the
dangers of unhealthy conflict, and on occasion even expects conflict to arise, although
deeming it inappropriate. Practical theological discernment is sought as to why this
may be so and remedial action is proposed to address the problem of conflict within
congregations.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017.Practical TheologyPhDUnrestricte
Conflict resolution and reconciliation within congregations
‘Being church’ in today’s world is frought with challenges to traditional practice and
contemporaneous opportunities. These challenges, differences, dilemmas and paradoxes, when
not handled effectively, have the propensity to escalate into and along a conflict continuum.
Conflict can arise at any time within a congregation and needs to be understood and handled
theologically. This article addresses some areas within congregations that attract or incubate
conflict and provides an overview of related theory of conflict. The research explores current
perceptions, understandings and behavioural responses to conflict, personal and corporate
experiences and observed outcomes of conflict within congregations. The exploratory study
reveals certain disconnects between individual and corporate practice. Congregations in general
are biased towards conflict avoidance, peacekeeping and reconciliatory measures – frequently
at the expense of long-term resolution. Attaining both resolution and reconciliation appears to
be a luxury and not the natural outcome one may expect within Christian fellowship. The
perception, understanding and views of most congregants are not aligned to good theological
principles and practice. The resultant behaviour mostly observed within congregations does not
lead to reconciliation and to a lesser extent resolution. Despite the seemingly high presence of
conflict within congregations, no specified education on the understanding, appreciation and
handling of conflict in commonly used discipleship resources or dedicated programme was
found. The article concludes with a view towards a future praxis of discipleship and leadership,
which incorporates the theological understanding and handling of conflict. Broader means of
assisting congregations in or post conflict to recovery are also presented.This research is part of the
research project,
‘Congregational Studies’
directed by Prof. Malan Nel,
Department Practical
Theology, Faculty of Theology
and Religion, University of
Pretoria.http://www.hts.org.zaam2019Practical TheologyStatistic