An Experiential View of Conflict in the Local Church: Focusing on Smaller and Medium-Sized Protestant Churches. Cleon E. Spencer

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      A young minister with limited experience settled in as pastor of a congregation which some of its members regarded as a dying pastorate. The pastor was well received right at the start. Socially, the people of this medium size church were well cultured, mannerly people with whom the minister was well suited. Spiritually he was able to spark a renewed interest throughout the congregation and its history of more than a hundred years and then some. Obviously the people, among other good virtues, loved their church building, but not much work had been done on it in recent years. The pastor saw an opportunity in this.

      At one of its earlier Board meetings, when there was an unplanned period of open, informal discussion, the pastor remarked, “You people have a historic church building here, and basically it is in good condition, and has the necessary facilities. Have you ever considered painting it up a little to make the sanctuary more cheerful and in keeping with our up-beat worship?”

      There was dead-silence from the chairman. He appeared to be at a loss for words. The reaction of the others present was mixed but mostly positive. There were such remarks as, “We’ve never given it much thought.” “It’s a very high ceiling, high indeed. Can we do it with our limited finances?” A man with building experience responded, “Indeed we can do it. I myself would love to get at it, and a few other people with me who wouldn’t be nervous about the height.”

      The interest grew throughout the community. Before long the interior of the sanctuary was renewed. Plans were forming to refurbish the exterior. The brick was in top condition, but the trim was in need of paint. The doors looked worn. The building already had outstanding stained glass windows that although generations old were well preserved. In the course of a few months an historic church was restored. Due to the ingenuity of the people, the financial cost was minimal. In addition, the congregation was infused with a renewed spirit.

      During the process of the restoration, the Board chairman approached the Pastor one day. He told how glad he was to see the church of so many of their predecessors at last being rejuvenated. In a near to tears frame of mind he told the pastor how much it meant to him to see the old historic church of his forefathers being restored.

      Then in words of remorse, he added, “As chairman of the board I should have had that all done some time ago, but I never gave it a thought that we could do it. “The pastor apologetically replied, “But I never meant to usurp you or interfere with your position on the Board.” “Don’t apologize,” the chairman requested, “I support you all the way.”

      This man, instead of feeling hurt, or miffed or deflated, or with damaged pride, was very pleased and happy about it. The project didn’t have to be to his credit. The church he loved was being renewed. Both the minister and the chairman and the whole board gave God the credit for moving them. No other credit was needed. He and that pastor remained life-long friends. Meanwhile, the chairman gave extra support through his giving of extra gifts of materials, at personal expense, to put the finishing touches here and there on the work of restoration.

      What could have happened to the project, and to the congregation, if the chairman had not been the mature man that he was, can only be speculated upon. He could have guarded his position in the church as his turf, defied the minister who had not the slightest notion of encroaching on the turf of another. He could have divided the congregation on the issue. Instead, he helped to promote the whole idea, thus bringing unity to the community. He was a mature person, seeking to promote his church instead of himself.

      From that time on, the congregation capitalized on its historicity, and the image it gave them. But that didn’t cause them to dwell too much upon ‘old times’ as some such churches do. Their congregational programs for people of all ages are up there with the best of the more modern progressive churches