A Call to Equip a New Generation of Mediators
By Dr. Rob Keiter
For 27 years, I served in vocational ministry—as a pastor, church administrator, worship leader, and staff member in congregations both small and large. Those years gave me an up-close look at the beauty and complexity of church life—and the ways conflict often shapes it.
Today, as a professional mediator and mediation trainer, I’m convinced that how we engage conflict may be one of the most important discipleship opportunities the church has.
Conflict Is Normal—But Also an Opportunity
Conflict in the church is inevitable. Whenever people come together—whether in families, workplaces, or congregations—differences in opinion, personality, and perspective are part of the human experience. Church conflict can be messy when people who love God find it difficult to get along with each other. But it’s worth the effort to get our hands dirty if it means seeing conflicts resolved and relationships repaired.
Over my years of church ministry involvement, I’ve been in the middle of difficult conversations where conflict was handled effectively, with good results. I’ve also seen too many situations where conflict wasn’t handled well—or not handled at all. In those scenarios, the conflict went unresolved and underground, only to surface later with devastating results.
We must decide whether conflict will remain a problem to be avoided, or an opportunity for personal, spiritual, and relational growth. When engaged constructively, conflict can deepen trust, strengthen relationships, and move ministries toward greater unity and health.
Why the Church Needs Trained Peacemakers
Most churches invest in leadership development for preaching, worship, children’s ministry, and outreach—but few intentionally equip their leaders to handle conflict. Every congregation would benefit if at least one staff member, elder, or key leader received professional mediation training.
A leader with mediation skills brings enormous value to the life of a congregation:
- Early intervention. Many conflicts can be addressed before they escalate.
- Trusted presence. People are often more open to a known leader than an outside consultant.
- Healthier teams. Staff, elders, and volunteers learn to address differences directly and respectfully.
- Modeling for the congregation. When leaders navigate conflict well, the church learns by example.
Mediation and Church Administration
Church conflict often extends beyond interpersonal tension. Disputes can arise over employment issues, contracts, facilities, governance, or ministry direction—areas that mirror the same challenges faced by businesses and nonprofit organizations.
That’s why mediation skills and interventions are so relevant for church leaders and administrators. These principles equip leaders to approach complex organizational issues with clarity, compassion, and fairness—protecting relationships while resolving practical problems.
A Call to Equip the Church for Reconciliation
Imagine what might happen if every congregation viewed conflict not as something to fear but as an opportunity to demonstrate grace and maturity. Imagine if every church had a trained peacemaker—a person equipped to help others move through disagreement toward understanding.
The next generation of church leaders will need more than vision and communication skills; they’ll need the ability to mediate, reconcile, and restore. It’s time we raise up peacemakers within our congregations—leaders who can help people move forward together in unity and purpose.
Dr. Rob Keiter is a court-approved family and civil mediator, mediation trainer, and founder of Keiter Mediation LLC in Oklahoma. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Oral Roberts University. Before entering mediation full-time, he served for 27 years in pastoral ministry and church leadership roles. Keiter Mediation LLC provides professional mediation training using a convenient online format to help fulfill its mission of helping people move forward through mediation, training, and education.
