Definition: “A perfect storm is a meteorological event aggravated by a rare combination of circumstances… [The term has become] an idiom for a situation where a rare combination of factors creates an unusually disastrous or powerful outcome.” Google search
Most of us know the term because of The Perfect Storm movie, based on the 1997, Sebastian Junger ThePerfect Storm book, which dramatized the sinking of a fishing boat called the Andrea Gail, in a devastating, 1991, Atlantic nor’easter which combined the forces of a cyclone and a hurricane.
In the past I’ve written about the fascinating and tragic fact that most major airline disasters are found to be “multifactorial;” they are the result of a certain degree – sometimes a very small degree – of human errorcombined with serious weather conditions combined with a mechanical malfunction of the airplane itself.
In still a third analogy, Firestorm is an excellent book by Ron Susek, which likens complex church conflicts to wildfire events in which several smaller fires combine to create a deadly and unstoppable – hellish would not be too strong a term – firestorm.
All three analogies have their counterparts in local congregations. I’d like to help.
Where I’m Going With This
Here’s what I’ve set out to do in four posts: Today I’m going to introduce you to the subject of perfect storms in churches. Next week I’ll share some help for surviving perfect storms personally. Following that I’ll write about how the grace of God shows up in the wake of perfect storms and end the series with a post on preventing perfect storms from forming in your congregation.
Let’s start with some:
Common Church Conflict “Storms”
Here are the scenarios I wrote about in my 2013 book, Heaven Help Our Church! (now improved and re-published as Thriving In A Troubled Church).
- Conflict over expectations for the pastor, usually because the new pastor isn’t like the last pastor. The folks on the search team wanted somebody completely different from the last pastor (and got him).
- Gossip-fueled conflict between two strong personalities – A personal issue has become a church issue. Think: Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians 4:2.
- Conflict between the “old guard” and the “newbies” (which may or may not include the pastor).
- Conflict over change, traditions and trends – The changes are usually being promoted by the pastor.
- Conflict over the pastor’s faults – Of course he had them. Those who like the pastor and/or his vision for the church overlook the faults; those who don’t like the pastor or his vision fixate on his faults.
- Conflicts over church doctrine – In today’s evangelical world it’s not usually about any fundamental teaching of the faith; it’s typically about music, roles of men and women or politics. Right?
- Conflict over an incident – Something happened in the church van, the kitchen or the boardroom.
- Conflicts over dissatisfaction – A group of people feel neglected or a ministry has been discontinued. Think about the situation of Acts 6:1-7.
- Conflicts over authority and power – Who’s in charge here? The pastor? The deacons? The elders? The trustees? Old Fred?
What I Mean By A Perfect Storm In A Church
A perfect storm occurs when two or more of these scenarios intersect, typically in the unhealthy atmosphere (culture or congregational system) of a church family which was ripe for conflict. Any of the conflicts listed above – and I’m sure I haven’t thought of them all – can happen in any church, or any other human system, such as a family or a workplace, at just about any time.
By itself, a conflict over the pastor’s ministry description, how and where he spends his time, doesn’t have to develop into a perfect storm…but it can.
By itself, a conflict over the distribution of free food for the poor, or a conflict between two great ladies (Philippians 4:3) doesn’t have to become a firestorm…but it can.
The two key factors here are: (1) What is the condition of the underlying “soil,” “weather,” “atmosphere” – or more commonly we would say, the culture or the system? Has someone given serious attention to the church’s underlying, long-term health? (2) How is the conflict itself handled? Is it dealt with quickly, carefully, graciously and oh-so-prayerfully, or is it flippantly dismissed by the church’s leaders until the gale becomes a raging hurricane?
A Perfect Storm Scenario
The possibilities, unfortunately are endless, but I’ll stick with one Biblical example to flesh out the idea (without getting me in trouble with old friends):
The church polarizes around the two groups of ladies in Acts 6:1-7. Grecian Jewish widows, raised outside of the Holy Land and Greek in their culture, are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Meanwhile, the Hebraic Jewish widows, raised in the Holy Land and more Hebrew in their culture, are, seemingly, first in line every day, always grabbing the best of the fruits and veggies.
Those who are resentful over the leadership of the church being entirely made up of native born, Aramaic speaking men, accuse the Apostles (the church’s “board” and “staff” at the time) of favoritism. Instead of approaching the leaders with respect and humility, giving them the benefit of the doubt, they talk it up and pass it on, “in confidence” of course. Eventually, somebody puts it on the prayer chain.
The Apostles hear about the issue but Peter (the “chairman” who prepares board meeting agendas), happens to be having a hard time with his teenage son and his tax returns, and chooses to persuade his brethren to ignore the problem, certain that it will simply go away of its own accord.
The “murmuring” or “complaining” of Acts 6:1 rises to a crescendo. Somebody starts a petition to force the leaders to hold a congregational meeting. Resentful about the unwanted meeting, the Apostles finally open the gathering in prayer, after which Peter and James take turns harshly scolding the congregation for their behavior. The meeting goes from bad to worse and results in the Grecian Jews leaving the church and starting an “exciting new congregation” on the other side of Jerusalem. The elders of the new church, incidentally, are Steven, Phillip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas – all Grecian Jews.
The Christ-rejecting Pharisees and Sadducees of Jerusalem are left laughing among themselves about how the Christ-followers were supposed to be recognized by their love and unity.
Got the picture?
Next Week: How to personally survive a perfect storm without losing your faith or your testimony.
