When Conflict Becomes a Group Problem (Part Seven)
“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” Amos 3:3
Understanding the following biblical principles can help to overcome our sinful reactions to disagreement and help people work well with others in spite of strongly differing opinions. One key is to collaboratively surface all of the information needed to arrive at the best solutions. Recognizing that spiritual gifts in others can actualize the biblical principle of unity through diversity can help surface issues and achieve understanding and agreement.
Be Curious
As we have identified, careful listening is critical. When people offer information that conflicts with our own opinions we should engage curiosity to explore the insights generated from their individual spiritual gifting. This requires patience and a willingness to follow the thinking of others and record their insights for the group to carefully consider. By posting the ideas on a whiteboard, the group can collectively begin to see patterns which contribute to potential solutions not seen by any single individual. As this happens, the group can unify around the best ideas and find agreement where there was initially only division.
Be Humble
The above process is spiritual, not natural. When we humble ourselves and open our minds and hearts to the gift-enlightened perspectives of our brothers and sisters, and they do the same with us, two things can happen:
Our spiritual understanding increases
The group dynamic coalesces into the body-life unity demonstrated in Acts 15:30-31
That seems well worth the effort of a little self-humbling.