We will begin this course by exploring what the Bible has to say about conflict and then compare ways that church members think about conflict. You will learn how conflict progresses through phases and what conflict management styles you rely on when you respond to conflict. Lastly, you’ll learn how to adopt and apply different models as your primary and backup styles. Although the resources in this course may focus on church leaders, these same principles are commonly applied today in all kinds of business, community, and family environments. They appear in many popular books on conflict and in major counseling resources as well.
Instructor: Gaylan Mathiesen
Course Objective
Conflict has been with us ever since the Garden of Eden and will certainly show up in any relationship. Disagreements, tension, and even hostility are unavoidable wherever people live and work together. However, conflict is not necessarily bad or sinful. The Bible shows us that when handled well, conflict offers us constructive opportunities to learn and grow. This course provides you with a basic understanding of the nature and dynamics of conflict and provides you with skills and strategies you need to defuse conflict’s destructive potential and steer it toward a healthy and productive outcome.
What You Will Learn
- What conflict is and why it happens
- The kinds of issues involved in conflicts
- The four types of conflict
- How to describe the five standard conflict management styles
- How to explain the importance of knowing your dominant and backup management styles
- How to evaluate your conflict management styles and make any necessary changes
- How the story of God’s people is a story of conflict
- How to develop a theology of conflict
- How conflict handled well can help us grow as disciples of Christ
- How to describe the stages and dynamics of conflict
- How to develop a strategy for managing conflict
- How to apply some communication principles for handling conflict
Text Books
Required:
- Donald C. Palmer, Managing Conflict Creatively: A Guide for Missionaries and Christian Workers, Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, September 5, 2000, ISBN: 0-87808-231-X.
Recommended:
- Norman Shawchuck, How to Manage Conflict in the Church: Conflict Interventions and Resources, Volume I, Spiritual Growth Resources, October 10, 1983, ISBN: 978-0938180104.
- Norman Shawchuck, How to Manage Conflict in the Church: Conflict Interventions and Resources, Volume II, Spiritual Growth Resources, July 30, 1983. ISBN: 978-0938180111.
If you are working with people of another culture:
- Patty Lane, A Beginner’s Guide to Crossing Cultures: Making Friends in a Multicultural World May 8, 2002 Duane
- Elmer Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry Paperback – December 21, 1993.
Course Module Topics
- Module 1: The Nature and Dynamics of Conflict
- Module 2: Determining Your Conflict Management Style
- Module 3: Developing a Theology of Conflict
- Module 4: Developing Healthy Conflict Management Skills