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A Pastor's Guide to Understanding and Overcoming Church Conflict Kindle Edition by Ted D. Manby
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
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