As a result of increasing pressure in life, there have been rising tensions and conflicts in interpersonal relationships. A church is as susceptible to conflicts as any other secular organization in the marketplace.

A conflict between two people in a church may in any time affect an entire congregation, unresolved tensions between pastors and leaders may rob the church of effective leadership, disputes between members in business with one another may lead to lawsuits, and so on. As a result, people are hurt, some leave the church or ministry; division occurs and eventually leads to church split and unforgiveness.

The Research Commission of NECF Malaysia sees the need to develop guiding principles to help Christians in handling conflicts both within the church as well as in the marketplace. In order to obtain adequate information in the subject matters, we therefore call for a roundtable consultation.

Dr John Ng, executive vice-president of Eagles Communications in Singapore, and Ms Ang Ding Ding who heads Eagles Mediation & Counselling Center, have been invited to share their perspectives in the respective area.

The areas of discussion include : (1) causes of conflict; (2) nature and phases of resolution. The anticipating outcomes are : (1) to provide biblical principles in Conflict Resolutions; (2) to compile resources; (3) to create a panel of Mediators; and (4) to provide training workshops.