Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

As a young man, just starting out in ministry, no one told me too much about the work I would be required to do with conflict. Conflict amongst church folk, church leadership, and ecclesial leaders is real. I am so very thankful for the voices which have spoken into my life about how I can best hold and work with conflict. Here are some of the precious nuggets I have held for years:

“Conflict is between people, not in them.” – Dr. Newt Maloney

“Confronting conflict is a great act of care.” – Dr. David Augsberger

“The Christian aim in conflict is not resolution but transformation.”

– Thomas Porter, Esq.

While in college and seminary I cut my teeth dealing with conflict as a debt collector when I worked for a Christian credit union. Making cold calls to collect debt, repossessing property, among other tactics, became a fertile way for me to learn how conflict works and how to resolve it. Believe me, avoiding conflict was very attractive!

I learned as a pastor that conflict between people is a potential pathway to deeper connection and intimacy. The friction we often feel when in conflicting situations can be an invitation to a deep transformation in us and others. Sometimes the healing people experience on the other side of conflict allows them to flourish.

This Sunday we begin a new worship series called, “Transforming Conflict” by looking at some of the most tense moments in Jesus’ life and ministry. By looking at these different stories of how Jesus held conflict we will discover new truth. I hope you will join us in worship each week as we follow Jesus.

• February 22 – When Good Intentions Go Bad (Mark 8:27-33)
• March 1 – Shifting to Blessing (Luke 10:38-42)
• March 8 – Guest Preacher – Rev. Dr. Eric Spangler
• March 15 – Truth When It Counts (Matthew 26:47-56)
• March 22 – Guest Preacher – Rick Newell (Ephesians 4:31-32)

May we all experience a deeper commitment to face conflict with courage and grace. Jesus did so as he stood before religious leaders and Roman authorities. He ultimately did so as he bore our conflicted lives on the cross and vanquished sin once for all. The crucified Jesus is a witness to a conflict transformed!

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(February 17th, 2026)