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One day César Gatjens, National NCD Partner for Costa Rica,
received a phone call from a Latin American church leader. Pastor Carlos
was deeply concerned about a conflict situation he and his church was
facing.
"César," he began to explain, "last Sunday one of our neighbors
living next to our church building showed up. He interrupted our worship
service and told the congregation in a forcible way that his patience with
us was about to run out. He no longer was willing to take the noise our
gatherings were generating. Finally, he threatened to take us to court and
have the authorities close the church."
Pastor Carlos pointed out the violent nature
of this neighbour and anxiously asked, "César, what are we to do? We will
end up in court."
César thought it over for a moment and
replied by asking, "Carlos, can you think of a way that would allow you to
take advantage of this situation? Can you maybe see God’s hand in it?"
This reply of course came as a surprise to
Carlos. His response was very clear that he did not see anything good or
positive in the situation that would benefit him.
So César suggested, "Let’s look at this
situation from another point of view. This man has already confronted you
several times. Last Sunday it was even in front of the entire
congregation. So by now all your church members are not only aware of this
conflict but involved as well. Moreover, if you put yourself in your
neighbor’s shoes, you need to admit that there is some truth to his
complaint, don’t you? Your building after all is still under construction
and does not have a ceiling yet. So all the noise accompanying your church
ministry easily escapes your building and bothers your neighbor."
Pastor Carlos agreed. So César continued,
"Look, Carlos, why don’t you take advantage of this situation and
challenge your congregation this upcoming Sunday? Ask them to consider an
extra offering or some additional donations to complete the building
project, and the ceiling in particular. This eventually will eliminate the
noise problem for your neighbour as well."
Carlos pondered for a moment and then
replied, "You know, César, I think you are right. I will follow your
advice."
Pastor Carlos shared the problem with his
congregation. He asked his people to make a special effort in order to
help solve it. That very Sunday one church member gave 1,500 dollars – and
the remainder of the additional funds needed came in within the next two
months. This generous giving allowed the church not only to complete their
building project but also to reduce the noise level bothering their
neighbor.
That type of
conflict resolution is not unusual in situations where the life principle
of energy transformation is being applied. Instead of going to court over
the noise problem, the energy of the angry neighbor was transformed and
used to bring blessing to the church as well as solve a neighborhood
problem. This story shows how easily we are often locked in and limited to
one perspective when facing a difficult or even a threatening situation.
The destructive potential of that kind of situation and the inhibiting
energy involved (in form of attitudes, resistance, threats, barriers and
the like) tends to either paralyze or stir up a fighting mentality.
Blessed are those who have a friend and coach by their side who can help
see things from another point of view. A view that allows to use the
(negative) energy involved in a creative way for the common good and the
glory of God.
Thomas Fode lives in
Germany and serves as NCD Coach and Partner Relationship Manager for NCD
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