Handling conflict and difference
Conflict is a normal part of any healthy relationship – whether in the home, the church or the workplace.
The key is not to fear or try to avoid conflict but to learn how to resolve it in a healthy way. We have curated some great resources for learning how to handle conflict and negotiate difference.
Watch: Coping with Difference and Handling Conflict
Staff Annual Reviews
It is recommended that every church engage in healthy, positive, ongoing review of its collective life and ministry.
Such review will necessarily include the manner in which the pastor is exercising his or her ministry and leadership. The basic purpose of ministry reviews is ministry development and enhancement. The review process is intended to result in pastor and people being strengthened, encouraged and better equipped to carry out the tasks the Lord has called them to.
A good review process will result in:
- Affirmation of key gifts and of ministry done well
- Identification of areas of ministry that are weak or need to be developed, redirected or discontinued
- Development of the pastor’s gifts and ministries for the year, or years, ahead.
- Commitment on the part of the pastor to continue to minister with the results of the review in mind, and on the part of the church, provide the support and resources necessary for the ministry of the pastor to be enhanced.
The resources below are currently undergoing review and will be updated over 2022.
Recommended reading (for elders)
Articles
5 ways to strengthen your eldership team
One of the most frequent requests to Carey’s Centre for Lifelong Learning (CCLL) is for church eldership resources. Mike Crudge shares five ways to strengthen…
PDFs and Booklets
When is it time to move on?
Pastor mental health survey 2021 (Faithlife)
Leaving for Pastorate Well
Hybrid faith formation
Future of ministry
Becoming a Baptist Pastor
Baptist Distinctives (by John T)
Helping your church become more intergenerational (by Raewyn Moodie)
Books
The following books are available for loan from the National Office:
The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken about Pastoral Transitions
Carolyn Weese and J.Russell Crabtree
Good Governance is Worth the Effort
Martyn Norrie
Job Descriptions for Elders
A big thank you to Windsor Park and Manukau City for sharing their role descriptions for elders.
If you have useful documentation that could be shared with others please email us.
Church review tools
It is recommended that every church engage in healthy, positive, ongoing review of its collective life and ministry.
These resources, sourced from multiple places including other Baptist Unions, can guide you in this process.
Human Resources
The following policies and the booklet on pastoral restoration will help churches to work through this issue in a way that is healthy for both the leader and the church.
For more guidance please contact your Regional Leader.
Church compliance
This content is available on our intranet.
Get access
If you’re involved in leadership at your local Baptist Church, we can give you access. Please contact Sushila at our Support Centre for help.
Church Management (Elders)
This content is available on our intranet.
Get access
If you’re involved in leadership at your local Baptist Church, we can give you access. Please contact Sushila at our Support Centre for help.
Church benefits
This content is available on our intranet.
Get access
If you’re involved in leadership at your local Baptist Church, we can give you access. Please contact Sushila at our Support Centre for help.
Exit interviews
It is helpful to have a pastoral chat with people who leave your church to make sure there are no outstanding issues.
The following resources have been sourced from other denominations.