Once, a couple we know began to teach a Sunday school class at a local church in our small town. It was a much-needed curriculum for young parents, which comprised a large cross-section of their church attendees. Understand, in this particular church, most of the Sunday school teachers had been teaching the same classes and material for fifty years. While it was probably good stuff, it hadn’t changed to meet the needs of the current members. Here is the review this couple received from the Sunday school board who “non-renewed” their class at the end of the year: “You’re taking too many people away from the existing classes.” Huh?!

Vicious: We’ve all taken part in this on occasion. Back biting, gossiping, whining and complaining without doing something about our grievances, and generally causing dissention in our ministry through the back door (behind backs) instead of talking out or lovingly confronting the problem like a mature adult. I am as guilty as anyone on this. I have foolishly acted like a rabid dog plenty of times, and am mending my ways.

I heard about a church where one of the pastor’s kids (P.K.) was doing something mildly inappropriate in front of church members. People were upset. People were offended. People thought the pastor had a serious character flaw to raise a P.K. that would act this way. Did any of these people—people who had been attending this church for years—talk to the pastor about their concerns? Not one. A church visitor finally spoke up. The pastor, who had raised several well-behaved and nice kids was grateful for the head’s up by his visitor and addressed the issue with his child.

Attacking: Steeped in the “log in the eye” principle that Jesus spoke about, this graceless way of handling conflict is a near epidemic in many churches and ministries. People with agendas feel threatened when things are changed or decisions are made without their knowledge or approval. These people search a three-mile radius for opportunities to attack the jugular of anyone who disagrees with them, implements change, or who stumbles in their Christian walk. Instead of asking questions or looking into the “why” behind other people’s ideas, decisions, and behaviors, these people go on the attack, making uninformed assumptions. Having never seen their own shortcomings or failures, they are not able to identify with the struggles of others and are not able to imagine what it’s like walking in another’s shoes.

Put the dog down: It’s hard not to feel territorial and competitive sometimes. But really, could you ever see Jesus duking it out with His disciples, jealous when they had a good idea or when people in the crowds wanted to talk to them…to touch them? We’ve got to sit back and remember WHOSE ministry this is and WHY we’re doing it. As believers, we’re all supposed to be on the same team. We’re supposed to be encouraging each other and building each other up for the work of the Great Commission, sharing everything we can to reach a lost world.

Imagine what could be accomplished for Christ if people didn’t care who gets the credit, if we all started working together instead of against each other, and if we extend a little more grace toward each other? Remember, whenever we get territorial, we make it about us…and our strength…and our resources. God is no longer in it. Let’s put the snarling dog down before we have any more casualties, and do whatever we can to help others achieve their amazing potential!

Julie Ferwerda is the author of The Perfect Fit: piecing together true love, and has written for publications such as Marriage Partnership, Focus on the Family, and Discipleship Journal. Find out more:  www.JulieFerwerda.com.