The Nature, causes and consequences of conflicts involving pastors

A lot has been written on conflict but little or no information regarding conflicts involving pastors has so far been well documented. Although information on workplace conflicts is widely in circulation but a church situation which constitutes pastor s working environment is totally different from other work places. For example, in the AFM in Zimbabwe church, pastors in their various capacities are responsible for dealing with conflicts situations, administering church doctrines, enforcing Christian values and constitutional regulations. In reality, if the pastor is involved for instance, in misappropriation of church funds, extra-marital affair or any other misdemeanor, the church will not grow both numerically and spiritually. If anything, such situations create disgruntlement, tear the church apart and blackmail the entire Christian community. Spiritually and morally such practices stains the purity of the church. To the wider community, people who might want to convert to Christianity may get discouraged now that the leaders to whom they seek for spiritual help are involved in such vices.

Autorentext

Rev Norman Chivasa, is a minister of religion, peace educator and community development practitioner. He holds a Bachelor of Theology (Hons), a post-graduate diploma in Development Studies from Lupane State University and A Masters in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.