DIOCESAN SEMINAR – Conflict Resolution in the Church

The Bishop, Priests and Laity of the Diocese all gathered at her Diocesan Camp at ASIPA for its quarterly family seminar tagged Conflict Resolution in the Church. 

The Diocesan (The Rt. Rev. Olubunmi Adeyinka Akinlade) who gave a welcome address with the topic Developing a Holy Life (1 Pet 1:13-15), stated that according to the scripture read as text, we all should be holy in all our dealings. The Diocesan encouraged us not to act holy only on Sundays during the church worship. He emphasizes that holiness means to be separated from the things of the world and every character that doesn’t bring value, while mentioning that no one can get to heaven by striving to be holy but only by the blood of Christ. The Bishop stated that good works can’t take us to heaven, he condemned the teaching of some body of Christ whose emphasis is only on good works.

The Diocesan identified three ways we can live holy as fellows of Christ according to Peter and these are:

1. To be holy by the belief in Christ 

2. Holiness begins from ones thought 

3. Growing in the personal knowledge of God

He concluded that we can’t be holier than God for He is the standard of holiness and so therefore, we should be watchful in all our dealings and activities by keeping a holy life. 

The theme of the Family Seminar Conflict and Peace Resolution  in the Church facilitated by Sir J.N.O Olowookere was discussed in details, where the speaker explained that we all as brothers and sisters in Christ aren’t exempted from the occurrence of disagreement. 

He gave the definition of conflict as any action or reaction that doesn’t promote the unity of an organization. He said it is a situation in which an unacceptable situation occurs between individuals. He also mentioned that it can be a situation where there are different ideas or opinions.

Sir  Olowookere said the only cause of conflict was disagreement which comes as a result of numerous factors such as Lack of love,  Hatred, Envy, Injustice, Unhealthy revivalry, Greed, Selfishness, Falsehood, Anger, Disorderliness etc.

The speaker mentioned some basic character every child of God must have and which are: 

1. The word of God 

2. Integrity, dignity and of sound speech 

3. Avoiding deception (James 1:22)

4. Taking every issue or conflict to God in prayers 

5. Involving the Holy Spirit 

He furtherly gave a practical example of conflict resolution within the church from Matt. 18:15-17. Where one needs to 

1. Inform the person 

2. Bring in witnesses 

3. Inform the church.

Sir Olowookere emphasizes that these three steps are important if we truly see ourselves as brothers and sisters. 

He concluded with ways to deal with Conflict by:

1. Determining if the problem is what is causing the conflict.

2. Focusing on facts and not personal. opinion and by so, allowing everyone involved to speak 

3. Define the sources of conflict.

You can watch the seminar on our Social media platforms.

Thank you.

Written by: Rev. Samson Ajala