The synod has adopted expectations for reconciliation, based on Matthew 18: 15-20. The expectation is that congregations and their members first seek to resolve disagreements among themselves. Clearly, parking lot meetings, gossip, complaining to other members, personal attacks, and quiet withdrawal are ineffective and inappropriate methods for dealing with grievances.
Following St. Matthew’s counsel, persons with disagreements first take them directly to the person with whom they are having a difficulty. They complain not to others but rather go directly to the other congregation member, the pastor, or the member of the congregation’s staff with whom they are having a difficulty. Their goal is reconciliation, the restoration of the relationship between two or more parties. If reconciliation cannot be achieved, the person takes one or two other persons with them —i.e., a wise, dispassionate, unbiased person—again for the sake of reconciliation. If this, too, fails, then the aggrieved person follows the procedures established by the congregation to resolve conflicts. If no local procedures have been adopted, utilize the following:
- If the conflict does not directly involve the pastor, make an appointment with the pastor and seek guidance. Conflicts involving the pastor should proceed to the next step, assuming St. Matthew’s counsel (above) has been followed.
- Secret meetings among members without involving the congregation’s leadership, or by the congregation council without the pastor, should not be held. All parties should actively and openly participate in the process of seeking reconciliation.
- Most congregational constitutions provide for a Mutual Ministry Committee. Its assistance may be sought by contacting the chairperson of the Committee. Click here for a copy of the synod’s Mutual Ministry Handbook.
- If there is no Mutual Ministry Committee, or if this, too, fails to accomplish reconciliation, the aggrieved person should approach the president of the congregation council for seeking the council’s assistance in mediating the grievance for the sake of reconciliation.
- If this, too, fails, the pastor or the council president with the knowledge but not necessarily the permission of the other, should contact the bishop and/or the synod’s discernment team for advice, referral to resources, or direct intervention. The synod’s Discernment Team works with congregations who desire to manage conflicts in their faith communities, working toward reconciliation of all parties. The team consists of lay and ordained members who have trained to consult with and support congregations engaged in this process. For more information, contact Pastor James Park Bricker at 717-535-5416 or gymbri@embarqmail.com.
- If neither the pastor nor the congregation council president agrees to bring the matter to the attention of the bishop after having been requested to do so, the aggrieved party or parties may bring the matter directly to the bishop after informing the pastor and council president of their intention.
Throughout this process, it is incumbent upon all Christians to remember that they are called by Christ to be God’s church and to show God’s love and forgiveness. Jesus’ directive to us is to “love one another even as I have loved you.” At all times as we deal with differences, we need to seek God’s guidance in prayer, asking that the Holy Spirit would guide us and that our actions would further God’s purposes and not necessarily our own.
Allegations
of
Misconduct
Persons
accusing
a
pastor
or
other
rostered
leader
of
serious
misconduct
should
contact the
office
of
the
bishop
directly.
Matters
of
misconduct
are
handled
differently
than
the
procedure
described
herein.
All
allegations
of
misconduct
that
could
lead
to
official
discipline
or
legal
action
are
taken
seriously
and
investigated
immediately.
For
information
regarding
the
misconduct
process,
please
contact
the
synod
office. Allegations
of
serious
misconduct
by
officers
of
a
congregation
(e.g.
embezzlement)
also should
be
reported
immediately
to
the
office
of
the
bishop.