| Conflict = Opportunity - article by Joel Hempel Like many of my fellow older adults and some of my younger friends, my body is not what it used to be. I can remember when nothing hurt, and everything worked. Not so anymore! Recently, it has been speaking back to me with a vengeance. My left hip must be replaced. And my left knee –already artificial – has decided it does not like my hip getting all the attention, so it’s demanding a redo. This glorious but fragile human body has recently reminded me of another body of God’s creation – the Church. When the Church works like a well-oiled machine, it is beautiful to behold: Brothers and sisters in Christ loving one another, caring for the needs of those who are hurting, and in unison serving the mission Christ gave us. But we are human. And like my broken body, the Church is a fractured vessel and, at times, in need of mending. Imperfect Christians who seek to be faithful to our Lord and his mission, as well as serve the needs of the congregation and its members, will make mistakes. Most of the time, our church, like marriages and families, can avoid offenses and enjoy each other’s company. But sometimes, conflict happens. I can’t imagine any of us like conflict. It’s scary, painful, and unpredictable. If your marriage or family is anything like mine, you are familiar with stress in relationships. For example, when Marcia and I have disagreements, we resolve our differences within minutes. Sadly, there have been occasions when someone does something or says something regrettable. Thank God – and I mean, thank God – we have learned that one of us has to break the logjam and apologize or at least let the other person know they want to listen instead of fight. Listening – deep, empathic listening that seeks understanding is often the key to healing wounded relationships in marriages, families, and the church. Conflict is indeed scary and messy. But it is also an opportunity for growth and greater closeness. Before St. Paul drew his notable analogy between the Church and the human body, he confronted the congregation at Corinth for being splintered and “quarreling” (1 Cor. 1:10). He admonished his brothers and sisters for taking sides against one another. “Is Christ divided?” he asked rhetorically. A marriage, family, or church cannot stand divided against itself. It’s not just unpleasant and risky; it shows contempt for our identity as followers of Jesus. Christ, his love, mercy, and forgiveness are at the core of the Christian Church. The next circle out from that core is Jesus’ mandate to the church: Love God with your entire being and love each other with the thoroughness of Christ’s love (see John 13:34-35). There is no conflict or disagreement Christians can’t get through if we remain true to our identity, true to our Christian core. | 
