Interest-Based Relational Approach for Conflict Resolution in a Congregational System

Conflict is an inevitable aspect of any organizational setting, including ecclesiological ones. When poorly managed, it has been a major root cause of organizational stagnation and inefficiency. In the context of the church organization, conflict accounts for many church splits, a perpetual crisis, and, in some cases, constant judicial battles. This paper examines an interest-based related approach as a tool for conflict resolution in the congregational system of church governance. Finally, it proposes recommendations for using the interest-based relational (IBR) approach to resolve conflicts in the congregational system.