Antagonists in the Church: How To Identify and Deal With Destructive Conflict

by Kenneth C. Haugk

Kenneth Haugk shows how congregational leaders can prevent or reduce much of the pain and suffering caused by antagonism in the church. He distinguishes between healthy conflict and destructive antagonism and shows how to cope productively with disruption.

Genres: Church, Christian, Leadership, Christianity, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction

189 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book quite helpful. I was nice to give language to particular behaviors, gather helpful response techniques, and especially not feel so crazy about things I have experienced/observed.

I am intrigued by the idea of a more up-to-date, similar book being written which connects these behaviors to the use of technology and social media... I can only hope someone might be working on that somewhere.

[Ricky Beckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though published in 1988, this book still holds mighty relevancy for pastors and lay leaders in the church of any denomination. Antagonists hold many striking toxic similarities to SJWs (see Vox Day's "SJWs Always Lie"). The main takeaway is that you may come across seriously antagonistic people dressed in sheep's clothing who seek to cause discord and create divisions within the congregation to meet their own narcissistic ends. This book provides good tools for reflection, preventive measures, and actions to take with active antagonists as well as potential antagonists. While the book comes with apt and necessary warnings as well as practical steps to take, Haugk begins and ends the book with our hope that is in Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming soon to make all things new and put an end to all strife and evil.

[Demetrius Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must reading for anyone in pastoral leadership.

[Rev. Sharon Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We assume that people in our congregations come into community to try and be our best selves together, and it can be jarring when that sometimes doesn't appear to be the case. In fact, it is often not the case! As this book describes, religious community can be a magnet for bad behavior because such behavior is often tolerated, in the name of peace and love, rather than confronted.

I first read this book as a lay leader, and it immediately helped me and the leadership group I was working with better identify some feelings of discomfort we were having with a new group member. Fortunately, this book provides concrete tips on how to handle a potential "antagonist," and we were able to head off what could have been some potential problems.

What I appreciate about this book is that IT DOESN'T MATTER whether or not you know "for sure" that someone is an antagonist. Diagnosis is not necessary. The advice for dealing with such a person (setting a definite meeting start and end time, for example) will not bother non-antagonists in the slightest. Most of the advice is simply a set of best practices for healthy boundaries.

Non-Christian readers will not be interested in the alternating chapters that provide Biblical support for the rest of the book, but those parts are easy to skip and don't detract from the overall usefulness of the book.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Section on identifying antagonists is helpful, but seems a little weak. Sections addressing how to handle an antagonist from beginning to end are excellent. Very good book for church leaders.

[Michael Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that every seminarian should read in their final year!

[Mary Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book a long time ago

[Fr. Thomas Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scripturally thoughtful, nuanced, and helpful book. I would recommend this book (although, published in 1988) to anyone who has the nerve to love and lead the church as a faithful, gracious, and yet courageous pastor or layperson (this includes supportive laity more interested in Biblical love and health for a congregation, rather than unhealthy and destructive empathy which runs from conflict at every turn).

Highly recommended.

[Jeff Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took my time with this book and there is a ton of practical wisdom found inside it. There are times I think the author goes a little far, seeing ghosts where there are just bedsheets, perhaps, but overall it was a solid read.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Pastor and all elders and deacons should read this book. Antagonists can wreak havoc in a church. I’ve seen it happen. Many times Christian leaders want to avoid confrontation. This book gives step-by-step instructions and insights on dealing with those antagonists causing dissension.

[Katie Shivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t 100% relevant to me as I am not a church staff member, but it was a really interesting and insightful read. If I am ever faced with an antagonist that needs to be dealt with as a lay leader, I’m sure I’ll call upon this book for guidance.

[Jeannie Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the books of suggested reading for our church Vestry. Good information.

[Dean Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is sad that books like this are necessary, but we live in a fallen world and so they are necessary. This has been helpful to quantify destructive behaviors and how to address them.

[Stephanie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad that I needed to read it, but very informative.

[Stephanie Cage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful and interesting, in more than just a church context. They should write a version for the workplace generally.

[Rachel Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great breakdown of how to handle antagonism as a leader, lay person or pastor

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every leader in a church (whether pastor, lay leader, or board member) should read this book. although the reality that a book like this is needed in the church today is a deeply unfortunate reality.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure that I have encountered the type of antagonism Haugk describes, still, I wish I had read this book earlier in my ministry career. Haugk has given a great gift to Christian community with this writing. With the decline of cultural Christianity in the last 25 years, one wonders if the type of antagonism Haugk describes has diminished in the church. Regardless, this is a helpful read for clergy and all church leaders who are experiencing the frustration and fear that comes with dealing with church antagonists.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much education is done to train people what to do with antagonistic people within a church context. As a result, much destruction has resulted, and many people have left local congregations as a result. Antagonists need to be dealt with so that the harm they would do is prevented.

The book defines regular conflict and conflict driven by people who only want to win or harm others. It then helps to identify who antagonists, and then how to deal with them. Action must be taken. Protecting the sheep of a congregation is important enough to stand against the wolves.

[Jillberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comprehensively defines this issue and offers tested wisdom and practice advice for biblically dealing with antagonism in the church. I hope I never need to deal with this in its full-blown state, but now I feel equipped to do so should the need arise, and I know how to spot the warning signs and put safeguards in place. This should be on every church leader's (staff and volunteer) book shelf.

[Timothy Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helps you identify, deter, and overcome "antagonists" while protecting yourself and your ministry.

"Antagonist" is used as a technical term to describe someone with (likely) psychological issues that make them unable to reason when they are in "antagonist" mode. The book teaches methods on how to overcome their unreasonableness, mitigate their damage to the community, put a stop to the attacks, and get on with your life.

[Carlos Montijo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not as useful as I was hoping. Haugk gives some good advice for identifying and dealing with antagonists. In particular I appreciated the helpful distinction he makes between antagonists (bad) and activists (good).

But I couldn’t find any discussion of Diotrephes or Jezebel, two of the most notorious biblical antagonists; and in some cases he contradicts Scripture. Some of his advice is more pragmatic than biblical.

[Dian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book is written from a Christian perspective, I believe it would be very helpful for anyone in a religious, charitable or fraternal order. It clearly explains who to identify antagonists and how to deal with them. If more people paid attention so this sort of advice there would be less people for antagonists to prey on out there.

[Jonathan Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my pastor, when I told him I was going to the seminary. I recommend it for the same reasons he did. Hopefully you'll never have to deal with this kind of problem, but if you do, this is a first rate book.

[David]

This book can be dangerous as some pastors might wish to make every disagreeable person an antagonist. Haugk demonstrates a Christian way to deal with people who make not only a pastor's life but other Christians' lives miserable. Highly recommended.

[Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haugk described how to identify antagonists well, but his suggestions for working with/handling antagonists fell short. Shelley's Well Intentioned Dragons handled that aspect better than Haugk did here.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Describes how there are some people in some congregations who just want to stir up trouble and there's nothing you can do to satisfy them. It gives clues of what to look for so you can spot these people and gives guidelines for how to handle them so that they don't do permanent damage.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the name suggests, this book is a bit of a manual. The advice is really quite good, and the book takes good Christian stances on the issues at stake. Very helpful.

[Jerry Owens]

A friend recommended that I get this book and read it. Useful book for a church leader who is dealing with trouble makers in the church.