About four years ago I witnessed a massive argument between a man and a woman that lasted for hours (with different people getting involved). The ridiculous thing was it started when the woman say his girlfriend needed to go to the hair-dresser. The sad thing was it went in for hours in a major road.
Most conflict here is done in the open…I believe it’s done for attention since groups of people like to get involved in these arguments.
Which means I must know how to put out the fire.
My favorite analogy for this is to imagine we have a bucket in each hand. One bucket is filled with water, and the other bucket is filled with gasoline. Our words and actions can either put out the fire, or make it worse.
We must pour Water when everyone else is pouring Gasoline?
Over furlough I’ve begun reading lots of books on leadership because it’s my belief many missionaries (myself included) don’t lead well. We do an excellent job of “church ministry” like preaching, teaching, discipleship, and leading in worship. But we (I) can do a better job of day to day ministry.
This is things like
- Counseling
- Relationship development
- Reasoning (answering questions)
- Hospitality (giving financially or with items)
- Volunteering (you do something for them in time of need)
Ministries like this are VERY NECESSARY
But they are also VERY MESSY!!!
Ministries like this mean entering into a person’s time of great need, or dramatic conflict. Into that violatile situation we bring love, humility, and clarity. We calmly break up the conflict (a Vincentian pastor friend call this “defusing the bomb”). Then help the individuals over time develop better responses to stress.
Pouring water on the fire is a very long process, and dangerous because they sometimes attack you!
But it reflects the Gospel because Christ entered into the darkness of this world….and the sin of our lives with His Salvation.
Sometimes I believe people will not remember my sermons. But they will remember me bringing peace in a public conflict.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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