Resources for Church Conflict

Here is a sometimes uncomfortable truth: the health of our teams shapes the health of our ministries.

Whether in session meetings, staff groups, or volunteer committees, leaders must know that trust, healthy conflict, and clear commitment are foundational to getting things done. As Rev. John shared recently in his reflection on The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, many of us are learning that addressing conflict isn’t about avoiding it or labeling ourselves as dysfunctional—it’s about creating space for honest dialogue, mutual accountability, and genuine collaboration.

Yet while these ideas can sound straightforward in theory, they are often challenging to practice, especially in communities of faith where we prize harmony and kindness (or more often than not… niceness). For this reason, we’ve gathered a selection of resources—articles, videos, tools, and book recommendations—to help you and your teams explore these topics more deeply. Whether you are looking to strengthen trust, navigate disagreement with grace, or build clarity around shared goals, we hope this collection will serve as a practical starting point.

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Conflict Resources for Congregations and Leaders