ENTER Conference: Handling Conflict

DON’T READ THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE POST ON TRUST!  It will help you out.  The lack of trust could be the source of your conflict.

Acts 15 is a story on conflict among believers.  The issue was this:  Is salvation possible with or without circumcision?  Now, as a male, I’m going to say no.  But, this was a big issue in its day.  It would be like someone saying you can’t be a Christian and have a tattoo.  Count me out.  Got one back in September in San Antonio, Texas.  I got inked.  Back to the issue……..

In handling conflict on the team, here are some thoughts that will hopefully equip you to lead.

1.  Seperate people from the problem.
- Don’t make it personal.
2.  Focus on INTERESTS rather than POSITIONS.
- Find out what the other person is interested in accomplishing rather than their position vs. yours.
3.  Invent options for mutual gains.
- Bring interests, not positions, together.
- Find out how you can come together for the common good.
4.  Have a standard or system for making a final decision.
-  In Acts 15:13-21, we discover that James was the guy who would listen to the whole debate and remain neutral so that he might weigh all the options and cast the deciding vote.

Conflict is needed in order to have a healthy team.  It encourages communication and allows for people to add their own voice and creativity to the team.  It all hinges on how you handle the conflict.  Bring a position says “It’s me versus you.  Let’s rumble.”  Bring an interest and it says, “How can we work together on this for the greater good?”

It’s time to get ready to run sound for a benefit concert.  I’ll catch up later.  God bless.