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Ten Conflict-Management Strategies for Staff Pastors

1. Ask for a clear job description. Most staff conflicts occur because of ill-defined expectations. Associates must know what roles they fulfill and what goals they are expected to reach.

2. Develop a servant’s heart. The associate’s job is to serve and help make the senior pastor successful.

3. Practice submission. Associate pastors model biblical submission by cheerfully responding to and cooperating with their senior pastors.

4. Seek understanding. Senior pastors listen to associates who have teachable spirits.

5. Suggest alternatives without pressure. Associates can offer new perspectives on decisions, programs, and schedules, but should not feel hurt or angry if their ideas are rejected.

6. Represent the senior pastor accurately. An associate must not discuss the senior pastor’s weaknesses publicly. Treat senior pastors with integrity, kindness, and courtesy, and they will respond in kind.

7. Communicate. Weekly reports go a long way in keeping the senior pastor informed. Senior pastors don’t like unwelcome surprises.

8. Do not harbor negative feelings. Senior pastors make mistakes. If it is minor, forget it. If it is major, explain your concern privately. Either way, process the hurt, and do not let it fester.

9. Contribute to healthy staff meetings. Associate pastors can help develop warm relationships among staff by participating fully in staff meetings.

10. Do your best for Jesus. Associate pastors have key roles in championing the Lord’s work by doing their best. Positive attitudes go a long way in fostering joy and team spirit on a church staff.

—Erik Johnson, marriage and family counselor with Family Challenge Ministries, Bellingham, Washington