Navigating conflict in ministry teams
Serving in ministry can be deeply joyful, but it can also be stretching, especially when conflict arises. You might expect that because you’re all following Jesus, things should just work. Yet the reality is, when imperfect people serve together, tension will come.
That doesn’t mean something has gone wrong.
God’s word reminds us,
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.
1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT
Even conflict sits under that calling. The Lord is not distant from your team dynamics. He is present, at work, shaping hearts and drawing people toward maturity in Christ.
Seeing conflict differently
Conflict can become an opportunity. An opportunity to honour God, to examine your own heart, to speak with grace, and to pursue genuine reconciliation. This is the heart of biblical peacemaking. Not avoiding issues, but engaging them in a way that reflects Jesus.
At PeaceWise, we often describe this as the “peacemaking pizza”. Each slice matters:
- God – Glorify God
- Me – Deal with your own heart
- You – Gently raise issues
- Us – Forgive and work towards a solution
Leave one out, and things tend to fall apart. But when you hold them together, they offer a simple, deeply biblical way forward.
Wisdom for the moment you’re in
As you step into a situation, it can help to pause and ask a few simple, prayerful questions.
Is this something you need to address, or something you can gently overlook? Not every frustration needs to become a conversation, but some things do need loving attention.
If a conversation is needed, try to name the issue carefully. Moving from personal preferences to shared purpose can shift the tone. Instead of holding tightly to your own view, you can begin to explore what will best serve others and honour Christ together.
It’s also worth taking a moment to reflect on your own part. Your tone, your assumptions, your reactions. Where needed, humility and a sincere apology can open doors that defensiveness never will.
As you engage with others, choose curiosity over assumption. Ask questions. Listen well. Often there are deeper concerns or pressures sitting beneath what you first see.
And through it all, pay attention to how you show up. A gentle tone, an open posture, and a willingness to understand what matters to others can lower the temperature and build trust.
You’re not alone in this
As you navigate tension in your team, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Remember, the Lord is near. He has entrusted to his church the ministry of reconciliation. And by his Spirit, he will empower you to live out what you believe.
Taking your next step
If you’d like to learn more about the “peacemaking pizza”, you can explore the “Peacemaking process” (God / Me / You / Us framework) in the Tools section of the PeaceWise app. Or try the app’s Coach tool, which walks with you step-by-step through each part of the process in a practical, prayerful way.
This devotional was written by Ann Cunningham. Ann works as a Care Pastor in an Anglican Church. The principles of Peacewise are transforming her work and her relationships in pointing people to Jesus both to strengthen their love of Jesus and restore their relationships. She is married with three adult daughters.
