Conflict resolution is more than a bleak necessity.
—Edward Dobson

One young man in our church, a fairly new believer employed by another member in our church, resigned his job with the understanding that the company owed him a sizable sum of money.

Months passed, and the owner, a long-standing member of our church, refused to pay. Finally, rather than sue, John lodged a complaint with the Restoration and Healing Committee of our church. After six months of mediation, both parties agreed to a settlement of 20 percent of the original sum.

Again, months passed, and we were told that the owner of the company would not pay up. So the church board got involved again. The committee voted to discipline the company owner, barring him from ministry in the church and placing his membership on hold.

Saturday, at 10:00 p.m., he called me at home and demanded to see me immediately.

Like it or not, pastors at times are firefighters. And it doesn't take a ten-alarm fire to scorch a pastor—a flickering match ...