Conflict management can take on many forms. Read John 8:48-59.

As His public ministry was nearing an end, the conflicts between Jesus and the Pharisees became more frequent and more divisive. In today’s scriptures the words exchanged between Jesus and the Pharisees were very pointed as Jesus stood toe-to-toe with those who desired to discredit Him.

Leaders do not have to be superstars or great heroes to make a significant impact. Read Mark 14:51-52; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:38; Colossians 4:10; and 1 Peter 5:13.

We know little about the author of the book of Mark or as he was also known, John Mark. Our first introduction (at least according to many Bible experts) shows him as part of the group at the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was taken captive the night before His crucifixion. Not a real flattering moment for Mark. The next time we meet him he is accompanying Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Again, not all that flattering for Mark because for some unexplained reason Mark leaves his friends and returns to Jerusalem. This act created such tension that Paul refused to allow Mark to accompany him on his second missionary journey explaining “…he had deserted them.” Mark’s beginnings didn’t show much promise that he would be a major contributor to the faith.

A hostile audience is a great test of a leader’s communication skills. Read Matthew 21:23-27 and Matthew 21:33-46.

Those serving in leadership of Judaism despised Jesus. The strict rules of the priesthood came down hard on anyone claiming to be a representative of God let alone the Son of God. Even though Jesus did not proclaim He was the Son of God in His public messages, neither did He deny it and to the religious leaders the lack of denial was equal to proclaiming it. Lest I leave the impression all their motives were pure, the religious leaders also did not want to have anyone upset their power grip on the people and their profitable financial activities. These leaders were angry with Jesus and would have had him killed but they were afraid of violating the law of the Roman occupying force and they were afraid of the Jewish people who thought Jesus was a prophet.

Addressing conflict and healing offenses should be a priority for every leader. Read Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15-17.

One thing is certain: Every leader will face relational conflicts. People may disagree because they have conflicting personalities or different agendas but they will disagree. Any leader that tries to avoid dealing with relational conflicts will only add to the problem. During the mentoring process for His disciples Jesus addressed the topic. There may be no clearer passage in the Gospels on conflict resolution than Matthew 18. When Jesus addressed the problem He tackled it head on.

Every leader will face times when those around them will not accept their leadership and their only option is to move on. Read Matthew 13:53-58.

When, in the course of His public ministry, Jesus went to His hometown and preached in the synagogue the people were first amazed that someone from their hometown had such wisdom but soon their familiarity with His growing up years and His family that still lived in that area undermined their excitement about His words. They refused to see Him as anything but a carpenter’s son. When this conflict arose, Jesus assessed the situation, recognized that the opposition had their mind made up and would not be convinced, and He moved on to a place where His message was more effective.