“The only pastors who don’t experience regular, character-building periods of conflict,” a pastor once said, “are either bullies who walk all over everyone or cowards afraid to stand up for what God wants to accomplish.” Church leaders are lightning rods, attracting the highly charged complaints and grievances of church members.

This first volume in the Library of Leadership Development helps pastors and lay leaders understand, prevent, and redeem conflict. Its authors—who have survived and thrived in church conflict—tell their stories and explain the principles that help them lead through the storms of congregational life. Now, in a never-before-collected lineup, are thirty chapters of expert advice.