Wallace SC&W Conflict   Conflict is a common occurrence in relationships and in groups.  Churches are no exception to this as the division and destruction of so many lives reveals.  But what can we do about conflict?  Is all conflict bad?  Should all levels and types of conflict be dealt with in the same way?  What are steps that can be taken to de-escalate or resolve conflict? These are the kinds of questions dealt with in the following list of resources.  For instance:   *George Bullard outlines the difference between needed and healthy conflict in the church and when it becomes destructive.  He also describes the kinds of methods (e.g. collaborate, persuade, accommodate, avoidance, support, compel, negotiate) that need to be used with various levels of conflict.  *Equipped for every good work looks more at individual leadership styles and how persons can be approached in ways that they will be the most receptive to receiving.  *Beyond Intractability provides a wealth of articles on various areas of conflict from a world perspective.  These articles look at issues such as the root causes of conflict, when it is possible and impossible to resolve a conflict, identifying the roles of participants and more. *The Public Conversation Project focuses not on resolving the conflict but at getting people talking.  Through their effort at “dialoguing” they find that people gain an appreciation and better understanding of the perspective, needs and hurts of others they are in conflict with which may very well lead to a resolution of the conflict at a later time.   ************************************************************   George Bullard: http://www.congregationalresources.org/BullardT1.asp This site provides an online and a free download of Bullard’s material on the life cycles of churches and levels of conflict (page 142 of the download).  Bullard’s life cycles clarify what needs to be the focus at various stages of a congregation’s life, what the issues are that may cause conflict and more.  In his book “Every Church Needs a Little conflict” he outlines in detail these levels and the dynamics of what is taking place.  He also talks about when and why the internal leadership of a church can no l onger resolve the conflict taking place (level 4).   Equipped for Every Good Work: http://www.gbod.org/equipped/downloads/lisjan04.pdf This file provides an outline of 4 different personality types and how you can best interact with them.  Dan Dick and Barbara Miller also identify how these personality types shift when under pressure. The home page is found at: http://www.gbod.org/equipped/default.asp   Beyond Intractability: http://www.beyondintractability.org/   and http://www.beyondintractability.org/action/articles.jsp?nid=5064   Beyond Intractability is a site that has over 350 detailed articles on conflict from various authors.  This site looks at issues such as “Ripeness” (i.e. when a conflict is ready/possible to be resolved), a guide for transforming conflict situations, intractable conflicts (i.e. those which seem impossible to resolve) and their causes, conflict stages, types of justice, psychological dynamics of conflict (i.e. delegitimizing, dehumanizing, victimhood siege mentality, etc.), mathematical models of dealing with conflict, parties to conflict, types of power in conflict (coercive, integrative, exchanged), types of communication in conflict, relationships in conflict, and identifying the “facts” in conflict.   Public Conversations Project: http://www.publicconversations.org/resources/guides This project works toward productive dialogues between individuals and groups.  The purpose is not conflict resolution but to enable each group to better hear the perspective of the other side.  One of the free downloads is Fostering Dialogue Across Divides: A Nuts and Bolts Guide from the Public Conversations Project (183 pages) which provides excellent guidance in how to set up dialogues.   Acresolutions: http://acresolution.org provides information on conflict resolution methods and tips, team mediation information of conflict as well as personality perspectives in conflict (e.g. “my way is correct”, misreading motives, judging motives vs. appreciating them, etc.)   Presbyterian Church USA Committee on the Ministry: http://www.pcusa.org/ministers/pdf/conflict_intensity.pdf  This is a conflict intensity material based on Speed Leas work.  It outlines his 5 levels of conflict, skills needed to deal with that level, and the strategies that are best to utilize at the levels.  It is adapted for the Presbyterian Church structure but provides good information for all groups.                                                                                                                                           June 4, 2009