Author Archives: David V. Edling

About David V. Edling

Dave Edling is an experienced Christian conciliator who has worked with many conflicted churches. During his decade of service on the senior staff of Peacemaker Ministries, he participated in over 200 mediation and arbitration cases and worked with nearly twenty thousand Christians engaged in conflicts affecting churches of almost every denomination. Dave holds several graduate degrees in addition to his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University. They are: Master of Arts in Human Behavior, United States International University (now Alliant International University); Juris Doctor, California Western School of Law; Master of Arts in Religion, Westminster Seminary California; and Master of Arts in Biblical Conflict Resolution, Birmingham Theological Seminary. Dave has served as a trustee on the Board of Directors for Covenant College and Westminster Seminary California and has taught in the Doctor of Ministry programs for Reformed Theological Seminary, Mid-Western Baptist Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. In addition, Dave has been a lecturer in practical theology for several other Christian colleges and seminaries.

In Church Conflict (as in War), The Malice of the Wicked is Reinforced by the Weakness of the Virtuous

Posted on January 16, 2019 by David V. Edling

Over the holidays, I began reading Winston Churchill’s Memoirs of the Second World War (the abridged version not knowing if I would live long enough to read his entire six volume set!).  In one of the opening paragraphs Churchill writes … Continue reading →

Posted in Abusive churches, Causes of Church Conflict, Conflicts involving church leaders, Confrontation, Excerpts from "Redeeming Church Conflicts", Postmodern Relativism and Church Conflict | Comments Off on In Church Conflict (as in War), The Malice of the Wicked is Reinforced by the Weakness of the Virtuous

What Rules Govern Your Interactions with Others (Especially in Your Church Conflict)?

Posted on December 1, 2018 by David V. Edling

In the October 16, 2012, Wall Street Journal there was an article titled Big Explosions, Small Reasons.  The article reports recent research on “Why Social Rule Breakers Spark Angry Outbursts.”  I have written previously on this site about how secular … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church | 1 Comment

Two Elements of Redeeming Church Conflict: Intentionality and Contentment

Posted on November 15, 2018 by David V. Edling

Q. How can I maintain an “eternal perspective” given the harsh realities of this church conflict? A. It is one thing to give mental assent to the concept of living from an “eternal perspective,” and quite another to actually fit … Continue reading →

Posted in Authentic Relationships in the Church, Biblical peacemaking in the church, HOPE in the midst of conflict | Leave a comment

There are people in the church who have been in the church so long they have forgotten they are hypocrites.

Posted on April 9, 2018 by David V. Edling

Tara often does Q&A’s at her events and one question she hears a lot is: How can I help a person see and confess their sin that has become a barrier to our relationship? In a previous blog, I responded … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church, Confrontation, Spiritual Blindness, Uncategorized | Comments Off on There are people in the church who have been in the church so long they have forgotten they are hypocrites.

Destructive Church Conflict — The Antithesis to Our Faith

Posted on March 12, 2018 by David V. Edling

Destructive church conflict causes pain … to God. Of course, it causes pain to the people going through the church conflict too. But the pain of the antithesis to our faith is felt most by God. When his eternal children … Continue reading →

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How to Fire Your Pastor (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on February 7, 2018 by David V. Edling

Q. Sometimes, even in a mature church, a time comes when a servant-shepherd pastor must be let go. In this situation, how should the pastor and his family, and the other church leaders and members respond so that they can … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church, Conflicts involving church leaders, Conflicts with our youth pastor, Excerpts from "Redeeming Church Conflicts", How to Fire Your Pastor | Comments Off on How to Fire Your Pastor (Part 3 of 3)

How to Fire Your Pastor (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on February 7, 2018 by David V. Edling

If you’ve read last week’s blog, “How to Fire Your Pastor — Part 1,” then you know that its content only applies when the pastor is best characterized as a “hired-hand” (see John 10:12-13). In contrast, today’s post addresses the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church, Causes of Church Conflict, Conflicts involving church leaders, Conflicts with our youth pastor, Confrontation, How to Fire Your Pastor | Comments Off on How to Fire Your Pastor (Part 2 of 3)

How to Fire Your Pastor (Part 1 of 3)

Posted on February 7, 2018 by David V. Edling

Q. Getting rid of a pastor can cause a lot of conflict. What should be happening for both the pastor and other church leaders and members when everyone is figuring out if the pastor should be let go? How should … Continue reading →

Posted in Causes of Church Conflict, Conflicts involving church leaders, Conflicts with our youth pastor, Confrontation, How to Fire Your Pastor | 4 Comments

Inconsistency Reveals Deception–Especially in Church Conflicts

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David V. Edling

Q. Has there been one key similarity or common characteristic you have noticed about how Christians typically respond to conflicts in their churches? A. While always difficult to name just one dynamic given the complexity of church conflict, yes, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church, Causes of Church Conflict | Comments Off on Inconsistency Reveals Deception–Especially in Church Conflicts

“It was like being in Hell with instructions!”

Posted on May 31, 2017 by David V. Edling

I have been writing this week, but it hasn’t been for this website. Rather, my efforts have been directed at writing a requested review of a new book for The Gospel Coalition. So, I was thinking of just taking the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical peacemaking in the church | 2 Comments