Leadership transitions are a necessary step in church development and an essential way for the church to renew and continue. When the transition from older to younger leadership flows smoothly, the church gains fresh energy, empowering it to embrace its mission and grow vibrantly. However, in practice, such transitions are not always orderly and without challenges. Minor setbacks or unexpected conflicts can arise. So, what should one do if obstacles or conflicts indeed appear during a transition?
Pastor Chen, a church leader from East China, shared his experience of handling challenges during a church leadership transition. He admitted, “At that time, I was very upset with intense pressure, but God always provides a good solution to every problem.”
The "Auntie" Has Concerns
Since its founding, Pastor Chen’s church had been led by experienced elders who excelled in both pastoral and preaching work. Four years ago, the church leaders decided to incorporate younger talent into leadership roles. The elders agreed to fully step down, allowing younger members to take up leadership roles, while the elders would take on supporting roles behind the scenes.
During the transition election that year, Pastor Chen was elected as the church head. While the majority of the congregants supported him, there were also voices of opposition and dissatisfaction. The most intense conflict came from an older sister in Christ, a woman in her 50s who was of the same generation as Pastor Chen’s grandfather and was affectionately called “Auntie” by each believer. Having been a believer from a young age, she remained single for God, living a beautiful life, with a pure heart devoted to God. Straightforward with clear love and hate, her strength lay in upholding truth and showing no tolerance for error, though her traditional ways made her resistant to change. She strongly disapproved of the church’s decision because she felt the younger members were too immature. In her view, replacing all the elders was irresponsible.
Unable to accept this decision, she did not support Pastor Chen’s work, leading to a tense and stalemated situation. For the sake of unity, Pastor Chen felt that it was essential for the church to be united, so he chose not to ignore her concerns.
Pastor Chen said, “She is a strong servant of God, and she has done an effective job in pastoral care, training, and evangelism. Locally, she has a certain level of influence, and her stance could affect some believers.” He could not ignore her opinion, but it was a real challenge to find a solution.
Humility is the Best Approach
During the sharp conflict in the transition, Pastor Chen, as a younger and newer leader, said, “To solve the problem, I pray to God with patience and humble myself before her.”
Initially, Pastor Chen felt immense pressure and was at a loss. He remembered the story of Habakkuk, realizing that impatience would lead nowhere. He started to seek God in silence and find a good solution.
Then, Pastor Chen invited previous church elders and longtime colleagues to visit the older Christian woman and communicate with her. He also encouraged other church staff to visit her regularly, either to check on her or to seek her guidance. The overall principle was to honor her. Pastor Chen himself did not directly intervene; instead, he prayed quietly before God. Eventually, he decided to visit her personally, bringing a gift as a gesture of goodwill.
When faced with opposition, especially from someone with authority, one could resort to administrative means or indirect pressure to resolve the issue. However, in the church, such coercive methods are inappropriate. He explained, “It is difficult to humble and restrain oneself, but it is a correct path. There are many ways to view a problem and numerous solutions, but it is obviously not from God to use a punitive approach to silence dissent. One must consider the other person’s perspective and accept their emotions, concerns, and various reactions.”
This period of tension was emotionally draining, but patience was essential. Pastor Chen admitted he also had moments of weakness, anger, and tears, but he said, “That kind of weeping is not for people to see but is only for God. I told Him through prayer, and He understood.”
Through this period of patience, the situation slowly improved. The older woman’s heart softened, her resistance melted, and relationships were restored. The “auntie” who had once referred to them as “a bunch of kids,” expressing mistrust and opposition, became very supportive of the church’s work.
Unlocking Success Requires the Right Key
Chen said, “I remember that during the most intense pressure, I thought of the passage where Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River. They had to follow the Ark, as the Scripture says, ‘for you have not passed this way before.’ When the Ark moved forward, they moved forward; when it stopped, they stopped.” To Pastor Chen, life has many paths one has never walked before, and one can only follow God. Many principles for life’s journey come from the Bible. He said, “Reading the Bible, preaching the Bible—what’s most important is applying the Bible.”
Pastor Chen summarized his approach to resolving conflict: First, be still before God, reflect, and wait; avoid impulsiveness and anger; seek God’s heart. This is how to find the correct solution to a problem.
Pastor Chen added, “Finding the right solution is like unlocking a door; using a key makes it simple and easy. If you use a hammer or wrench, you may not unlock it, and you’ll certainly wear yourself out. Rather than frantically trying diverse methods, it’s better to find the right solution calmly.”
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Abigail Wu
换届是教会发展的必然需要，也是教会得以延续与更新的重要方式。当新老更替可以顺利过渡，教会便能够被注入新鲜血液，更有力量地承接使命、满有活力地继续发展。换届作为教会中一件大事，在现实情况中并非总能平顺有序，短暂的波折或意外的冲突时有发生。那么，如果在换届中真的遇到了波折或冲突，应该如何面对与处理呢？
某华东教会负责人陈牧师以亲身经历分享了自己在教会换届中遇上的难题以及解决的全过程。他直言道：“那时候很苦恼，压力真的很大。但靠着上帝，一定会有好的方法来解决。”
“姑奶奶”有情绪
陈牧师所在的教会从创立就一直由成熟的年长前辈带领，不论牧会还是传道方面都做得很不错。四年前，教会领袖商议决定，教会要朝着年轻化方向发展。于是，当时教会的长辈决定全线退出，将职位和机会让给年轻人来做。他们可以退居幕后，做配搭服事的工作。
在当年的换届选举中，陈牧师成功当选为教会负责人。当时，绝大部分会众都很支持，并配合工作，但也遇到了反对与不满的声音。其中最激烈的冲突来自于教会一位老姐妹那里。这位老姐妹五十多岁、在村里与陈牧师的爷爷同辈，大家都得喊她 “姑奶奶”。她从小信主、为主守身、一生未嫁。她个人的生命也非常有见证，有着一颗向主单纯美好的心。她性情直爽、爱憎分明。优点是坚持真理、对错误不留情面；缺点是比较守旧、有些事情上不易转弯。她对教会的这个决定很不赞成，因为她觉得年轻人有很多不成熟的地方。教会让年轻人上台，将老人全都替换掉，这是很不负责任的做法。
于是，这位老姐妹就心里怎么也过不去，也不支持陈牧师的工作。事情和关系一下子都僵住了。为了顾全大局，陈牧师觉得教会合一最重要。其实老姐妹的情绪也可以暂时放放。
陈牧师说：“她是一个事奉很得力的人。不论牧会、培养人还是传福音，过去都做得很好、很有果效。在当地也算是小有影响力的人。她的态度或多或少会影响到一部分信徒。”所以，他不能不管不顾。但怎么解决，也确实令人头疼。
谦卑是最好的态度
在换届尖锐的冲突中，作为晚辈与新人的陈牧师说：“就是谦卑。在上帝面前谦卑祷告，在姐妹面前谦卑忍耐。”
起初的陈牧师承受着巨大的压力，毫无头绪。他说那时候他想起哈巴谷，想到心里急躁是不行的；于是安静下来寻求上帝，找到好的解决方法。
接下来，陈牧师就邀请过去的教会长辈、老同工一起去老姐妹家沟通。同时，他也让其他现任同工有事没事都跑去找老姐妹；没事就当看望她，有事就当去请教她，总体原则是尊荣姐妹。陈牧师自己没有直接出面，而是一直在上帝面前安静祷告。后来，他想这实在不行，就得拿着礼物亲自去她家拜访了。
碰到反对者，尤其是对于有权柄的人，是可以采用强制的行政手段或者变相的高压策略但是教会中不能采用这种强权的方式去随意对待人和处理事。他说：“谦卑与放下是很不容易的，但这是正确的。看问题的想法有很多种，解决问题的方法也是多样。但用打击、修理的方式排除异议，显然不是从上帝来的。要站在对方的角度上思考，接纳对方的情绪、顾虑、各种反应。”
在这段焦灼的时间里，人心也很煎熬，但还是忍耐着度过。陈牧师坦言自己也有软弱、生气、流泪的时候，“但那个泪是不能对着人的，只能面对上帝。借着祷告告诉祂，祂都知道。”
但就是经过这样一段僵持与忍耐期，局面慢慢被打开。老姐妹的心结打开了、小情绪化解了、关系也疏通了。“姑奶奶”过去喊他们“一群小毛孩儿”，对他们不信任、唱反调、消极抵触，现在变成了非常支持教会工作。
成功开锁还需找到正确的钥匙
陈牧师说：“还记得当初压力大的时候，他就想到约书亚带领以色列人过约旦河前的那段经文。他们得要跟着约柜，圣经写着‘因为这条路你们向来没有走过。’约柜在百姓前头行，约柜向前，人就向前；约柜停，人也要停。” 在陈牧师看来，人就是有许多路没有走过，只能跟着上帝走。人生往前走的很多原则都是从圣经中来的。他说：“我们读圣经、讲圣经，更重要的是用圣经。”
陈牧师说解决冲突可按下面的原则：先在上帝面前安静、省察、等候；不凭己意、不动血气；在上帝面前，要摸着上帝的心。这样来找到正确解决问题的方法。
陈牧师还说：“找到解决问题的方法，就像开锁一样；用钥匙来开锁是简单而轻松的。如果用锤子、扳手，不一定能开锁；但一定会累得够呛。与其上蹦下跳，还不如安静，找到解决问题的正确方法。”
访谈|华东一牧者：教会换届工作中 如何处理冲突？
Leadership transitions are a necessary step in church development and an essential way for the church to renew and continue. When the transition from older to younger leadership flows smoothly, the church gains fresh energy, empowering it to embrace its mission and grow vibrantly. However, in practice, such transitions are not always orderly and without challenges. Minor setbacks or unexpected conflicts can arise. So, what should one do if obstacles or conflicts indeed appear during a transition?
Pastor Chen, a church leader from East China, shared his experience of handling challenges during a church leadership transition. He admitted, “At that time, I was very upset with intense pressure, but God always provides a good solution to every problem.”
The "Auntie" Has Concerns
Since its founding, Pastor Chen’s church had been led by experienced elders who excelled in both pastoral and preaching work. Four years ago, the church leaders decided to incorporate younger talent into leadership roles. The elders agreed to fully step down, allowing younger members to take up leadership roles, while the elders would take on supporting roles behind the scenes.
During the transition election that year, Pastor Chen was elected as the church head. While the majority of the congregants supported him, there were also voices of opposition and dissatisfaction. The most intense conflict came from an older sister in Christ, a woman in her 50s who was of the same generation as Pastor Chen’s grandfather and was affectionately called “Auntie” by each believer. Having been a believer from a young age, she remained single for God, living a beautiful life, with a pure heart devoted to God. Straightforward with clear love and hate, her strength lay in upholding truth and showing no tolerance for error, though her traditional ways made her resistant to change. She strongly disapproved of the church’s decision because she felt the younger members were too immature. In her view, replacing all the elders was irresponsible.
Unable to accept this decision, she did not support Pastor Chen’s work, leading to a tense and stalemated situation. For the sake of unity, Pastor Chen felt that it was essential for the church to be united, so he chose not to ignore her concerns.
Pastor Chen said, “She is a strong servant of God, and she has done an effective job in pastoral care, training, and evangelism. Locally, she has a certain level of influence, and her stance could affect some believers.” He could not ignore her opinion, but it was a real challenge to find a solution.
Humility is the Best Approach
During the sharp conflict in the transition, Pastor Chen, as a younger and newer leader, said, “To solve the problem, I pray to God with patience and humble myself before her.”
Initially, Pastor Chen felt immense pressure and was at a loss. He remembered the story of Habakkuk, realizing that impatience would lead nowhere. He started to seek God in silence and find a good solution.
Then, Pastor Chen invited previous church elders and longtime colleagues to visit the older Christian woman and communicate with her. He also encouraged other church staff to visit her regularly, either to check on her or to seek her guidance. The overall principle was to honor her. Pastor Chen himself did not directly intervene; instead, he prayed quietly before God. Eventually, he decided to visit her personally, bringing a gift as a gesture of goodwill.
When faced with opposition, especially from someone with authority, one could resort to administrative means or indirect pressure to resolve the issue. However, in the church, such coercive methods are inappropriate. He explained, “It is difficult to humble and restrain oneself, but it is a correct path. There are many ways to view a problem and numerous solutions, but it is obviously not from God to use a punitive approach to silence dissent. One must consider the other person’s perspective and accept their emotions, concerns, and various reactions.”
This period of tension was emotionally draining, but patience was essential. Pastor Chen admitted he also had moments of weakness, anger, and tears, but he said, “That kind of weeping is not for people to see but is only for God. I told Him through prayer, and He understood.”
Through this period of patience, the situation slowly improved. The older woman’s heart softened, her resistance melted, and relationships were restored. The “auntie” who had once referred to them as “a bunch of kids,” expressing mistrust and opposition, became very supportive of the church’s work.
Unlocking Success Requires the Right Key
Chen said, “I remember that during the most intense pressure, I thought of the passage where Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River. They had to follow the Ark, as the Scripture says, ‘for you have not passed this way before.’ When the Ark moved forward, they moved forward; when it stopped, they stopped.” To Pastor Chen, life has many paths one has never walked before, and one can only follow God. Many principles for life’s journey come from the Bible. He said, “Reading the Bible, preaching the Bible—what’s most important is applying the Bible.”
Pastor Chen summarized his approach to resolving conflict: First, be still before God, reflect, and wait; avoid impulsiveness and anger; seek God’s heart. This is how to find the correct solution to a problem.
Pastor Chen added, “Finding the right solution is like unlocking a door; using a key makes it simple and easy. If you use a hammer or wrench, you may not unlock it, and you’ll certainly wear yourself out. Rather than frantically trying diverse methods, it’s better to find the right solution calmly.”
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Abigail Wu
Interview: Navigating Conflict in Church Leadership Transitions in Godly Way
