In my coaching groups, I regularly try to help youth workers navigate tension and conflict with their church leadership (senior pastor, or other leadership). Here’s a quick list of practices that can prevent conflict, or help you navigate it if it already exists:

• Continually clarify and unearth expectations
• Exercise curiosity; Look for the “positive intent”
• Be honest with myself about my own motives, desires, and dreams
• Exercise full disclosure, even when it feels like the wrong move in the short run
• Look at your contribution to any failure, even if it was only 10% of the problem
• Hold these two things in tension:

1. Don’t add drama (don’t make things personal, don’t assume motive)
2. Enter courageously into places of conflict