Focus Text: Romans 14:1-12

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.  If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

 

Pastoral Reflection by Rev. David Odom, Executive Director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School

In a community of Christians, the hopeful possibilities present in conflict will only be realized when we deal with the tension in a productive way.  When a congregation faces conflict openly and directly with the people involved, there is a good opportunity for the situation to result in positive change and closer relationships between people.  When conflict is handled in a way that cuts off communication and silences questions, the conflict can escalate and become destructive.

 

Key Quote

We need more conflict resolution skills taught in the schools and more emphasis on non-violent means of resolving conflict. 

Patricia Ireland