Word for the day: “Leaders managing conflict resolution.”
Acts 15: 37-39 (GNT): “Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.”
GOOD MORNING, LEADERS,
Having difficult conversations is an integral aspect of being a leader. When leaders are unable to effectively navigate the gift of communication in conversation, they have failed in their responsibility as leaders.
THERE ARE TIMES IN MOMENTS OF CONFLICT WE MUST LEARN HOW TO AGREE TO DISAGREE RESPECTFULLY.
Often, differences and conflicts just cannot be resolved. This doesn’t mean that one person or the other is evil or corrupt. It just means that the difference of opinion or personality clash does not have a resolution at the present time. We are unique and different in our composition; sometimes, we must agree to disagree. We see an example of this in the relationship between Paul and Barnabas, two partners in Christian ministry who had a sharp disagreement regarding a young man named John Mark.
In (Acts 15), we see that Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on a missionary journey. However, Paul disagreed and refused this request. Paul’s refusal was based on how John Mark had disappointed him once before, and Paul didn’t want to give him another chance, or at least not at this time. In the end, Paul and Barnabas agreed to disagree and to part company. Paul went one way; Barnabas and John Mark went another. Sometimes, that’s the only solution to a disagreement.
WE MUST BE OPEN TO HAVING A CHANGE OF HEART IN TIMES OF CONFLICT, AND THIS IS A SURE SIGN OF MATURITY.
There’s a postscript to this story: In (II Timothy 4:11), Paul writes from his prison cell in Rome and tells Timothy, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” Sometime after the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, John Mark redeemed himself and became a valued partner in Paul’s ministry. In fact, as Paul faced execution in Rome, he wanted his friend John Mark at his side. Conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among those involved.
The conflict may be personal, financial, political, or emotional. I’d like you to consider that conflict is transforming because some conflict can help create a productive and creative ministry, business, family, and even relationships. When there is no conflict, no one is being pushed to have new ideas or to work in new ways. In today’s world, progressive businesses must constantly change and improve themselves.
It is complicated for a business or any organization to succeed by simply continuing to do what it has always done. In the above passage with Paul and Mark, we see this truth shared and highlighted in scripture. We don’t know all that happened, but we see how Paul valued Mark so much that he called on him for support and love in his most crucial moments of life. There is so much to be said for Paul and Mark that I had to share with each of you today.
POINT TO PONDER
Whenever there is disagreement, make sure you maintain the support of the person at the same time you disagree with their position. Avoid personal attacks and implying wrong motives behind someone else’s position. This will allow you to disagree and still maintain a relationship. I am incredibly grateful to see the conflict between Paul and Mark in the Bible, among other challenges. Most importantly, we see that, somehow, this conflict was resolved and ended in a mature and transformational experience for all involved.
Although it is often assumed that people avoid conflict, many people actually enjoy conflict to a certain degree because it can be the impetus for new thinking. Considering a different point of view, which in certain cases represents conflict, can open new possibilities and help to foster new ideas that might otherwise have not been considered.
Finally, I realize that some circumstances are much more intense with wrong motives, ill will, and selfish intentions. Today’s message provides some progressive considerations for salvageable relationships, families, businesses, and ministries. I've discovered not every story will have a transformational ending as we see here in today’s message, some of our stories will end in trauma and regret.
How do you handle conflict?
Is it time to learn the best practices of conflict resolution?
Who are you having conflict with in this season of your life?
What can you learn from today’s message?
Can conflict be leveraged to a healthy resolution?
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Kingdom Blessings,