The church board was at an impasse in their budget discussions.
“But this community needs a gymnasium now,” said Dan. “And our church has resources to build one.”
“We’re about missions,” Rachel snapped back, glaring at him. “Two years ago, we voted to fund five missionaries to Mexico. Have you forgotten?”
Frustration escalated. Barbs tossed back and forth as board members took sides.
- “You don’t care about the people in this community!”
- “All you want to do is take trips, not serve here at home …”
Does the Conflict Sound Familiar?
Bill rarely spoke at meetings, but now he leaned forward in his seat. Eyes turned to Bill as he set a water bottle in the middle of the table.
“This water bottle represents our issue,” he said. “And the issue is not a gymnasium or missionaries.” The group stared at the bottle.
Bill realized that board members shared a vision to reach people, but their passions had skewed them off topic to personal attacks.
“Let’s focus on the issue, not each other,” Bill continued. “Anything brought to the table is brought as an issue – not about a person or individual agenda.”
Members slowly nodded. As the group agreed to “talk only about the water bottle,” the discussion moved away from personal attacks. The evening ended on a productive high note.
A simple water bottle can be a powerful visual tool. Point at it. Pick it up and make it the focal point when you’re emphasizing the need to focus on the issue. You will find as your team focuses on the issue, not the people involved, you have a better basis for effective decision-making.
