Biblical Conflict Resolution

[n david]

Most of us know Paul's instruction on how to handle conflict within the church. But Reader brought up a good question as to what options a saint has to handling conflict against a Pastor.

I've italicized Reader's scenarios below:


Situation: Pastor of an independent church slanders a member or former member. The board is a group of 'yes men' for the pastor, with no real authority to take any action. What options remain for the injured party? They are told they may not sue. At the same time, the board will not or cannot intervene.

Situation: Pastor of an affiliated church slanders a member or former member. The organization has a policy of dealing with charges against a minister but also affords liberty to each district overseer. In this case, that person has been a long-time friend of the pastor in question and dismisses the accusation against his friend. No action is taken. What options remain for the injured party? They are told they may not sue. At the same time, they are unable to pursue the situation through the established rules.

I have deliberately chosen two hypothetical situations where what would be considered the proper steps to take cannot be accomplished. It is something important to address since incidents such as these do indeed occur. How do we, as Christians, address them? Do we wave goodbye to the individual who was harmed and tell them tough luck?

[KeptByTheWord]

I don't know. These are tough scenarios - especially comparing them to the words of Jesus "turn the other cheek", for example. I don't know that there is a "one size fits all" solution for this kind of issue, other than for the injured party to understand that this lifetime is not where we will see all judgment take place. There is a judgment coming, of that which we can be sure, where situations like the above scenarios will be dealt with. I do not think all evil will be punished in this life.

[good samaritan]

After admonishing for brother not to go to law against brother he asks can you not suffer the wrong. Then again there is always going to be that person who takes them down. I think there some times isn't a simple victim. If we are trying to mishandle the church of God then the Lord is going to send that right person are way who is going to expose us for who we are.

[thephnxman]

"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

There's a difference in resolving a dispute between a Brother and an Elder.
With a Brother, one needs 2-3 witnesses if he is not receptive.
With an Elder, one begins with 2-3 witnesses: but the problem would be finding the witnesses...
especially if the Elder is a Pastor who believes he is Christ's Vicar on earth!

"Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses."