Dealing with REAL Conflict

Thanks to you all for your participation last night. We had a great discussion on conflict (along with a few tangential topics as well) I want to bring up again a few points

• The verses in Matthew 18:15-17 that talk about going to your bother refer to addressing sin that leads from Christ. It is not necessarily referring to having it out with anyone who disagrees or irritates you. However we can still get some good principles, such as trying to resolve issues one-on-one first if possible. Also it suggests we need to do all that is within our power to resolve conflict before dropping someone. Remember, as long as it is within your power, be at peace.
• Having a plan for how conflict will be handled before it arises is a good idea. Do you know how you would handle conflict in your family? Workplace? Small Group? Church? While we can plan for every contingency - it is not unwise to have a plan for reconciliation in mind.
• Many will talk about the beauty of diversity of ideas but the reality is far from what we had in mind. Difference is wonderful as long as you agree with me. :) However we need only look around to know that God crated a world full of variety. Working through conflict to create harmony will allow us to reflect God's character to others, and allow us to show that the church can be different from the rest of society.

Let's work to reflect Christ, even in conflict.