Dealing with Conflict

Why this series? Two primary reasons: 1. Because we all live in a world where conflict happens. It occurs in all relationships. Yes, even in church. 2. Because according to the VitalChurch Assessment Report on City Church, which we participated in last fall, you said that as a church we typically do not handle conflict well. Seventy-five percentage of responders gave very low scores. Author Jim Van Yperen in his book entitled Peacemaking mentions the primary wrong ways we often handle conflict: some of us have a passive/evasive style of responding to conflict, while others of us have a defensive/aggressive style. We tend to respond to conflict in ways that reflects one of these wrong approaches. Unless we are learning how to handle conflict appropriately, we will continue to live with relational hurts and not experience the peace and unity that communicate to others the radical difference that Jesus makes in our lives. Does the Bible have anything to say about conflict resolution? A thousand times yes! Scripture is packed full of illustrations of conflict and numerous principles on how we are to conduct ourselves when we are at odds with others. In this series, several staff members will join Pastor Rich in addressing the following issues:

Cultivate

You don’t have to be a gardener to enjoy what’s blooming in Minnesota in June. The sights and smells of flowers or gardens in bloom lift the spirit after harsh winters. I’m not a gardener, but I marvel at those who are. They love to get their hands dirty in the soil, carefully tending to their vulnerable seeds. With dedication, consistency, and often, at great cost, they nourish their plants, dutifully watching weather reports to ensure their garden gets the right amount of nourishing water and sun. They devise schemes to trap predators like squirrels, rabbits, and deer who pose threats to their gardens. After several weeks, their patience and care are rewarded: there are juicy fruits to enjoy, vegetables to chop for salads, and flowers that cause passersby to stop and pause, and breathe in the beauty.
                 
We each have a garden of our own to tend: a relationship with the Creator of All, who loves us and wants to see good fruit grown in our lives - fruits of sincere love, patient trust, joyful delight in God’s gifts, and purpose and meaning to our days. Those of us who have put our trust in Jesus have embarked on a lifelong journey of faith, where we seek to grow in ever-deepening trust, love, and hope in the abundant life Jesus offers. We are, in fact, in a personal relationship with God. This is sheer gift.
                  
But like any relationship, we must nourish it in order to see it grow. Like gardeners, we can’t force growth to happen and yet it surely will not happen if we don’t tend to those frail seeds, nourish the roots, give them time to grow, and be vigilant against potential enemies.  
                  
If you want to see fruit develop in your own life - if you’re interested in seeing your relationship with God grow, join us this June for our series Cultivate.