Essential guide to identify real-world issues and conflicts facing congregations and their leaders and strategies to adapt. The Fly in the Ointment is an important resource for churches and church leaders as they explore how to transform themselves into vital, flourishing organizations. That transformation requires deep, systemic change on the part of regional associations, such as dioceses, presbyteries, synods, and conferences—the bodies that are meant to help congregations live their mission in the world. This book addresses the challenging issues of coping with changes and conflict in congregations and denominations in the face of cultural changes.