I’ve been pastoring since 2005, and I’ve seen how destructive cliques can be in leadership. The Cambridge Dictionary defines a clique as “a small group of people who spend their time together and do not welcome other people into that group.” What’s striking is that cliques can form even when people are unaware they’re excluding others—or they may do it on purpose.

It often starts innocently—a group of people find common ground through shared interests, like sports or being in similar life stages. This kind of connection is a good thing at first. But over time, it can take a turn. Certain conversations or attitudes can set off a downward spiral that leads to division and disorder within leadership. When leaders form cliques, it becomes a stumbling block that damages healthy relationships in the church and stifles new ideas.

Competition begins to take root. People start saying things behind others’ backs instead of speaking directly. A shared mindset of complaint forms within the clique, and sadly, I’ve seen it unfold. These cliques turn into camps, camps turn into trenches, and before long, members feel they have to “hold the fort”—a fort they built themselves, where true plurality of leadership is lost and lines are drawn.

What makes it especially complicated is that the clique’s concerns may contain some truth. But rather than bringing those concerns to others who could offer broader, balanced perspectives, they keep the conversation within their circle. Worse, they begin to craft narratives about others—often those who are simply trying to love and serve well. Instead of offering care, they build walls and launch a quiet campaign to push their own agenda.

So what’s the solution to this problem? How can we avoid it? Paul gives us guidance through his response to the church in Corinth, where he dealt with this very issue of division.

In 1 Corinthians 1:10–15, Paul pleads with the church—appealing to them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ—to live in unity and avoid divisions. He urges them to be united in both mind and judgment. He then addresses a troubling report: there was quarreling among them. That’s the first issue I want to highlight.

According to Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words to quarrel meant to be contentious. The Greek noun ἔρις (eris), meaning strife, discord, or contention, refers to rivalry or quarreling—often in the context of disagreements over positions or views. 

According to A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, quarreling is often listed among the vices that disrupt unity in the church. Mounce describes it as a disposition, highlighting that it’s more than just an action—it’s a posture of the heart that leads to division through words and actions driven by a spirit of contention. The word contentious means causing disagreement or being inclined to argue.

If a group begins speaking negatively about others without any intention of addressing them directly, that qualifies as quarreling. It’s not wrong to seek counsel or have friendships where you process disagreements. But when relationships are used to gather support or agreement against others—without ever speaking to those they disagree with—it crosses the line into rivalry.

The second issue Paul addressed was how people in Corinth were using leadership identities to entrench themselves. Some were saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or even, “I follow Christ.” But Paul responded with a powerful question that still applies when cliques form: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” The answer is clear—Christ is not divided, Paul didn’t die for them, and they weren’t baptized in his name. In other words, Paul was not someone to build a faction around.

Paul even thanked God that he had only baptized Crispus and Gaius, so no one could claim they were baptized in his name. Behind every clique, there’s often an inflated desire for position or status. At its core, it’s a form of self-exaltation—seen in the elevation of certain roles, unspoken or dishonest criticism (where concerns are never brought directly to the person), and spending too much isolated time with like-minded voices while avoiding those who might challenge your perspective.

Voicing concerns and sharing them openly is not quarreling or causing division. The problem arises when there’s consistent avoidance, neglect, and isolation—that’s what can form a clique. I’ve seen this even among church elders. In one case, two men dominated their meetings: one acted as the enabler, while the other—an alpha personality—ran over others to get his way. It was a toxic and unbiblical form of leadership. I remember hearing about how they held meetings without the other elders, aired their frustrations, and made decisions in secret. This behavior created an atmosphere of fear and frustration that ultimately led to the church’s downfall.

Recently, I had a conversation where someone shared some concerns. What encouraged me was their humility—they weren’t gossiping or venting, but genuinely seeking counsel on how to handle the situation wisely. That kind of openness is what helps prevent rivalry and the formation of cliques. I was also able to share my own concerns, and together we found a healthy way forward—one that honored the relationships involved and brought glory to God by turning the moment into an opportunity for growth. What stood out most was the willingness to directly approach those involved. That shows genuine love, a desire for unity, and a true commitment to caring for the relationship.

We need to be good stewards of our preferences. This means not only using our strengths wisely but also recognizing and managing our weaknesses. We must be aware of how our preferences and comfort zones can lead to forming cliques. Being a good steward involves putting those tendencies in check. Paul’s warnings are still relevant—not just because they’re part of Holy Scripture, but because the human heart hasn’t changed. The same issues that affected the church in Corinth still affect us today.