Dealing with Conflict in a Healthy, Productive Way

"I hate conflict."  You hear that all the time.  Who hasn't said it?  Nobody likes the emotions, the tension, the awkwardness, the risk...of conflict.

But (and you knew there was a "but") conflict is an inevitable part of being human, and certainly an inevitable part of following Christ.  In fact, conflict is a tremendous opportunity to grow as a person, and especially as God's people.  Through conflict we learn about ourselves and our desires, we're faced to deal with our sin and our past, and we get to deepen our relationships with all sorts of interesting people.

Conflict can be a good thing, if it's handled well.  And there's the rub.  The Bible has a lot to say about this topic.  Jesus himself was constantly helping his disciples handle conflict in a healthy and productive way.

That's why we're preaching a 12-week series called "Fight Club: Dealing with Conflict in a Healthy, Productive Way."  Why is this series 12 weeks long?  Because we all have a lot to learn.  So no complaining.  Just listen and learn about something that very few people handle that well.  Who knows what friendships would not have ended, what wars would not have been started, what legal cases would not have been filed, what marriages would have not have ended in divorce, what churches and denominations would not have been divided if God's people had a better understanding of how to handle...conflict.

Part 1: Conflict: Our Greatest Missed Opportunity  03/08/09, Matt Herndon
Part 2: The Roadmap to Peace  03/15/09, Matt Herndon
Part 3: A Matter of Trust  03/22/09, Matt Herndon
Part 4: When Not to Send the Letter  03/29/09, Matt Herndon
Part 5: The (Real) Origin of Conflict  04/05/09, Matt Herndon
Part 6: Confession is the Road to Healing  04/19/09, Matt Herndon
Part 7: How Should We Go?  04/26/09, Matt Herndon
Part 8: Speak the Truth in Love  05/03/09, Matt Herndon
Part 9: How Far Would You Go?  05/17/09, Matt Herndon
Part 10: Saving Springfield  05/24/09, Matt Herndon
Part 11: Overcoming Evil with Good  05/31/09, Jeremy Zilkie
Part 12: How to Forgive by Being Forgiven  06/07/09, Will Joyce

Voices from the Rooftop 06/14/09, Matt Reding, Sean Sullivan, Jason Herbig