There’s an unseen factor in Saddleback Church’s growth that most people overlook – church unity. God blesses a unified church. Many churches have tremendous potential, but they never achieve what God desires because the members spend all their time fighting with one another. All of the energy is focused inward.
The Bible talks more about unity of the church than it does about either heaven or hell. It’s that important. Churches are made up of people, and there are no perfect people. So people get into conflict with each other. As pastors, we need to learn how to deal with those situations. Specifically, we’re called to do these six things when disunity threatens our church.
1. Avoid situations that cause arguments.
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:23-24, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (NIV). Pastors should avoid causing arguments. As a leader you need to set the example for your whole church on this issue. When a minor argument comes along, refuse to get in the middle of it. You don’t need to have an opinion on everything. Some discussions don’t deserve your participation. Focus your conversation on topics that matter.
2. Teach troublemakers to repent.
Second Timothy 2:25-26 says, “Those who oppose [the pastor] he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (NIV). Most pastors don’t like confrontations. But we can’t run from them. As the pastor, you must gently instruct those creating dissention and opposing the teaching in the church.
3. Warn those causing trouble that their negative words hurt others.
Second Timothy 2:14 says, “Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words. It is of no value and only ruins those who listen” (NIV). People need to know that their words have consequences.
4. Make a plea for harmony and unity.
Paul did this in Philippians 4:2. He said, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord” (NIV). There were two very strong willed women in the church named Euodias and Syntyche who were causing so much friction in the church that Paul’s plea for them to stay united is in the Bible. Fighting in a church doesn’t just affect the combatants; it influences the whole church as people start taking sides. Just like Paul did, at times, you’ll need to make a plea for unity directly to those causing problems.
5. Rebuke with authority if necessary.
Paul says in Titus 2:15-3:1, “These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.” You may need to confront the contentious person as well.
6. Remove them from the church if they ignore two warnings.
Titus 3:10-11 says, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” No pastor wants to do this, but as a last resort you may need to remove the contentious person from the church. You’ve got to protect the unity of your church. If that means getting rid of troublemakers, do it.
The Bible teaches that as the church grows, Satan will do everything he can to cause division. Even well-meaning people, even believers, can be used as tools of Satan to hurt the body of Christ. As pastors, as shepherds of God’s people, it’s our job to protect our congregations from Satan’s greatest weapon – disunity. It’s not always easy, but it’s what we’ve been called to do.
Photo by NATHAN MULLET on Unsplash
REMOVE THE TROUBLE MAKER FROM THE CHURCH AFTER THE SECOND WARNING,IS THIS LIKE PRUNE THE FRUITLESS BRANCH FROM THE VINE? THIS IS THE PROBLEM OF BOTH MY SMALL CHURCHES, ONE REMOVED HIMSELF TOGETHER WITH HIS FAMILY AND SUPPORTERS,,THE OTHER KEEPS SENDING MESSAGES TO ME WHY SHE IS NOT ATTENDING CHURCH,, THE FIRST EXAMPLE IS , ALTHOUGH HE REMOVED HIMSELF BUT THE REASON IS TEMPORARY,HE WANTS HIS OPPONENT REMOVED SO HE CAN COME BACK,,,THE OTHER ONE IS AIMING SHE CAN COME BACK IF I AM NOT THE PASTOR ,VERY PERSONAL,,,IS THIS EXCOMMUNICATING THEMSELVES,,I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THEM,,I PRAY FOR THEM IS THIS SIMILAR TO WHAT PAUL SAYS ABOUT THE TWO TROUBLE MAKERS IN 1 TITUS ??
Thank you Pastor for this message, you open my eye’s of understanding to the reason why my church could not grow.
I left the church my husband joined 3 yrs ago. I was a new Christian and very excited to do the Lord’s will. Unfortunately, the pastor’s wife really didn’t jump head over heals when I joined. I was left on my own…she didn’t try to build a relationship with me at all..mind you it was only two other women in the church. I left the church and sat under a wonderful husband and wife pastoral team and even started a women’s group..but left due to lack of transportation. I was out of church for about a year…but, still stayed in the word. I was so hurt by my husband’s church and felt that he did not support me as he is still there to this day. He is now a minister with the church. I went back to the church I loved and again started to grow, but the Lord called me back to my husband’s church. I was fine and I decided to get into their deaconess program and that is when it went downhill. Anything I suggested was ignored. I had a concern that another new female member brought to my attention and as a leader wanted to bring the situation to the table and address it. Well….the pastor’s wife concluded that I was the one with the problem and just down right ignored me..never asked what the issue was. I discerned the spirit of jealousy on the head deaconess and talked to her about saying you love someone is Christ, but your actions says otherwise. I got absolutely no where. I tried to have a discussion with the pastor’s wife,but she just avoided me…but you could tell she felt ackward around me…to the point she would look straight at me as I enter the church and then would later say. “Oh, I didn’t see you!” I told my husband how I felt…I was in tears…he is still there and I am not. I don’t even know what to do anymore!!!
I can really identify with you because I passed through this same thing about 30 years ago- as a baby Christian. Il share with you what I learnt- if the Church is not preaching heresy or false doctrine- your husband is perfectly right to stay there so he can grow. Your main focus in a church should be to grow by getting sound biblical teachings. Allow your ego to die and be more focused on creating unity with your husband. Also staying with him in the church shows that you trust his judgment and are submissive to his leadership under Christ as the head of your home. One of the signs of our own maturity is when we learn to forebear with people especially where we feel we are strong. Being in personality conflict with more than one or two persons in one church is a sign of an inflated ego. Make peace and let go and let God.
It seems you join a church to please others and maybe look for attention. So what if the pastors wife ignores you. The reason you go to church is for Jesus Christ and him alone. Everything else falls in place when we serve him and not man.
In the bible it states that the elders are in charge of the church. The minister is not to be in control. That’s a lot of the problem, especially in small churches. I’m not hearing anything here about elders.
Nick, the New Testament was written over nineteen centuries ago in a culture far removed from our own. So we attempt to interpret it according to its historical context without fully understanding that context for ourselves.
For this reason, most evangelicals tend to interpret the New Testament words “elder,” “pastor,” and “bishop” as referring to the same group of people. And each church in the New Testament seemed to have a plurality of them rather than just one, but the “pastor” was certainly one of the elders, and probably led the other elders.
So I think most of us reading this would agree with you, but with one caveat – yes, elders should manage the affairs of the church, but the leading pastor is the leading elder among them.
Not everyone will agree with this interpretation, but many do, and most of the healthiest churches I know operate under this principle and have bold, strong leaders leading the church forward.
God has ministered to my heart w/your words. We are new Pastors [1 year] I feel we’ve got “direction” now. Thank you for posting this!.
we have had this one person in our church for the last 2 years. she says she doesn’t like gossip thats the reason for not joining the womens group (but she gossips ‘very ugly). she sez in her previous church she worked closely with the pastors wife(so why did she leave)??? she caused a ruckus with one of our wayword women (she could have tried to help). she accused one of the women of not liking her and ignoring her. she also fussed at the same lady right after church in front of visitors (she also did this same thing to another women in the church and the other women just left. she has the pastor and her husband thinking all the women are against her. thats not true. she said she didn’t want to be with the women because all they do is gossip. she was a loose women before this man married her now no one is righteous but her. it hurts my heart and oh yes, she told the pastors wife she would teach her the bible (the gal) and told the pastors wife not to be intimidated by her… does she sound crazy (the devil is loose in her?)
Same thing just happened to me in my women’s group. A women who is assisting the teacher went to her and told her I didn’t like her. I have spoken to her maybe a total of five times. Me and the teacher saw the spirit of dissension and jealously with her. To make a long story short. She manipulated the teacher. I chose to step aside and not entertain her actions. She is still assisting the teacher. Pastors and leaders are not holding these people accountable. They continue to cause problems and stir up strife.
Wow and wow. We currently have a huge group of people in prayer and fasting for God to stop the very beginnings of dissension in our church right now. Someone is causing trouble, and right when our church is trying to move towards unity for the first time! This article is so timely and encouraging for me. Thank you.
hey Brandon,
I have always appreciated the Print View option, did I miss it?
Steve, you asked, we answered. Notice the “Printer Friendly” label below every post, leading to an editable and printable page. Thanks for keeping us sharp!
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Good article. But was very surprised to see a picture of my home town of Salford in the UK and it’s most famous band – 80’s punk band “Joy Division” – accompanying it! A picture search for “Division” I presume!!
A very good band by the way!
That’s neat to know. Yes, it was a search for “division.” The image of the two guys kind of “facing off” captured the feeling of the article. Thanks for pointing out the connection!
After seven years as a worship leader, and as one who was unfairly accused of being divisive and asked to leave the church, I can attest that this is not always done for encouragement, but can be used as a crutch for pastors who don’t want anyone around who simply disagrees with his dogma. Still praying for healing and restoration, but will admit I am hesitant to become part of a traditional church again out of fear…
Man I’m sorry that happened. One thing we realize is that while many Pastors suffer from churches that have unfairly treated them, there are also churches that have suffered from Pastors who have not dealt with their own inner issues surrounding the need for control, unforgiveness, and secret sin.
I do pray you’ll find your way into ministry in a situation that allows for healing. That’s what happened to me. After two extremely difficult situations in the earliest part of my ministry that resulted in short-term pastorates, I finally landed at a church for almost eight years of wonderful, healing ministry. I pray you’ll find the same!
I am in a church where our pastor was called somewhere else. So we are without a pastor. However we have one member who tries to take control and is causing division in the church to try to meet her wants. How do we handle this matter scriptural so it doesn’t continue? Mind you this issue with this member has gone on for 15 years
Us too. 17 years of ministry and have never seen such a severe case of aJezebel pastors wife who has run everyone off practicaly and then blames the people of being led away by the devil.
Pastor Rick,
Those points on disunity are excellent. We as pastors have to set the example. I’ve found not too many people open to being rebuked even though it’s Biblical.
How pastors such as Rick Warren part of the Tony Blair Interfaith Movement… Which is bringing the coming, One World Religion….And speaking Muslim Conferences and refusing to talk about Jesus Christ to them.. What do we do with Pastors who compromise all the time and reject biblical correction from Godly Men.
A very good article!