Peter wrote that we should strive to emulate Christ—especially when slandered and attacked (1 Peter 2:21b-23). Before reacting, seek God in prayer, for it brings wisdom and clarity (James 1:5). Allowing His Spirit to lead ensures that your responses reflect His righteousness rather than impulsive emotions.

Early in my ministry, when I was a student minister of a fantastic church, the senior pastor chose to leave for a different ministry opportunity. This situation brought great disappointment and grief, and I found myself in the uncomfortable position on the outside of a lot of conversations. The remaining staff began to take sides. To this day, I still do not understand the reasoning behind the division. But there we were, quibbling like toddlers. I learned much from that experience—predominantly from my failures and shortcomings.

One thing I learned was that conflict within the church is inevitable. We are sinners saved by grace. Reflecting on the issues, I see they were rooted in miscommunication and misunderstanding. Where I indeed failed is I lost sight of the point of the church, jumped in to defend “my honor,” and began to vilify a man whom I had truly come to respect. I resigned because I did not want to be the source of division in the church; however, I realize now that was the wrong choice, motivated by self-preservation. The conflict rested elsewhere, and I genuinely believe that if I had known what I know now, I would have fought for unity rather than my reputation. In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him. For you are worse than he thinks you to be.”

The second thing that I learned is closely coupled with the first: the call of believers is to the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). I offer that the gospel of Jesus is a message of multifaceted restoration and reconciliation. First, restoration and reconciliation consist of proclaiming the gospel to the lost, portraying forgiveness of sins and salvation available through Christ. Second, restoration and reconciliation is the ministry of the church to herself. The restoration of believers to each other as “one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:4–6). The ministry of reconciliation serves to bind the hearts of believers to one another in a united focus toward individual and corporate sanctification.

Within the church body, this process often takes on the form of conflict. We must seek to honor Christ in conflict by addressing it head-on with grace and mercy. This is because striving to avoid conflict always results in hurt and division. The marks of leadership that seeks to avoid conflict are, at the core, cowardice and compromise. However, conflict does not have to divide the church. Instead, it could be a tool the Holy Spirit uses to grow the body of believers into greater unity.

Below, I offer key principles to navigate being a peacemaker within your ministry context.

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