Book Review #7: A Pastor's Guide to Understanding & Overcoming Church Conflict

 

First distinguish and discern the real origin of the threat to the pastor and the church

 Having been a lay church elder, I know of very few pastors who live through what Ted Manby highlights as targeted attacks on pastors within the church by “antagonists” and share their all too often-painful experiences and grieving. Even fewer do the in-depth research of what happened to them and why. Ted Manby takes the challenge further to extrapolate the biblical and practical principles for how to prepare for and handle such attacks.

As an executive change and conflict management consultant for over 50 years, I agree with Ted Manby as he hones in on the key here, which is too often missed. First distinguish and discern the real origin of the threat to the pastor and the church. Specifically, does the church conflict come from unhealthy “antagonists” or members with reasonable concerns or external challengers just trying to help. The biblical and practical responses to such church conflicts are quite different!

Ted Manby first defines and explains the relevant terms, like “antagonists,” shares his and others painful experiences, and notes relevant contemporary frameworks. He then analyzes the dramatic impacts and implications for both pastors and the local church. The heart of this book are extensive and powerful Biblical examples, imperatives, along with the positive perspective and courage needed to cope with and handle the requisite personal and corporate fear and discouragement. Finally, in the final chapters, the principles and advice for all those involved meaningfully tie this book together.

Reviewed by Dr. R. Kraft Bell, MBA, PhD