Deacon Jones accuses Deacon Smith of lifting money from the offering plate. Smith denies the charges, and the pastor defends him; but Jones doesn’t back down. In fact, Jones gets several church members to vouch for his honesty, and asserts that the pastor has a conflict of interest as Smith’s best friend. When Jones threatens to file a lawsuit, rival factions replace congregational peace.

Is the civil court the best remedy for dispute resolution? Not in God’s house.

This is why the Southeastern California Conference is pioneering its new justice commission beginning Jan. 1. The commission’s goal is to promote peace and justice among church members.

In a nutshell, the idea is to resolve conflict at the lowest level possible. Trained mediators throughout the conference are available to apply proven methods of conflict resolution to help disputants resolve difficulties.

Pilot Program

For several years, conference administrators and lay people have studied several means of dispute resolution. At the constituency session in November 2004, delegates voted to establish a pilot program. A justice advisory committee has guided the process. Chaired by Ed Johnson, assistant to SECC administration, the advisory committee will continue to be available during the pilot program for feedback to the justice commission and the executive committee.

“I believe the justice commission can be a blessing to us,” said Gerald Penick, conference president. “Its goal is to resolve conflicts in a way that is faithful to the Bible and that helps us to relate to one another on the basis of Christian principles.”

Biblical

Jesus told us to “Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court” (Matt. 5:25). Jesus outlined a suggestion to resolve conflicts. First, try to resolve things between “you and him alone.” If this is unsuccessful, “take one or two others along with you,” in seeking reconciliation. As a last resort, “take it to the church.”

It’s in this context of conflict resolution among believers that Jesus says that what the church “binds” on earth will be bound in heaven (Matt. 18:15-20). The early church took seriously the need for members to resolve differences among themselves.

Realistic

Adventists are often quick to see the sins of others, Christians and secularists alike. We have been much slower, however, to recognize our own humanness or to develop ways to effectively resolve internal disputes.

The justice commission will have more than 30 trained mediators available throughout the conference. Their work can move us toward realism about our own inadequacies and our responsibility to address inter-personal and intra-organizational issues.

Church fellowship is about warm handshakes and supportive hugs, but it’s also about real human beings who disagree. An unaddressed disagreement in the church can fester for years and make a congregation dysfunctional. The justice commissioners believe that when dark moments occur in church relationships, God can lighten the pathway by redemptive mediation.

Christian

Delegates at the 2004 constituency session authorized the justice commission as a four-year pilot program under the conference executive committee. The North American Division working policy recognizes the value of mediation in conflict resolution, but the Southeastern California Conference is the first to offer a comprehensive plan based on Christian values.

Formative work by the Mennonite Conciliation Service proved to be very helpful to administrators and lay persons on the justice advisory committee. The historic work by the Presbyterian Church (USA) was also enlightening.

Is Mediation Right for Me?

Southeastern California Conference members will find that utilizing the justice commission’s services is simple. First, contact Coralie Evans at the Southeastern California Conference at 951-509-2287. She will answer basic questions and send you further information. The administrator for the justice commission, Steve Hadley, is also available at 760-294-2509.

Second, choose from a list of approximately 30 Adventist mediators that have trained especially for this work. The justice commission’s focus is transformative mediation. Talk with a mediator about your difficulty and learn how this process may help you.

Third, if your work with a mediator is not productive, you may ask the justice commission to hear your case.

What If?

What if fellow believers disagree strongly? The following list illustrates the types of disputes they might take to a mediator.

1. The congregation clashes over music chosen for worship.

2. A church or school fails to provide records for a conference audit.

3. Members in a business partnership disagree.

4. A portion of the congregation wants to start a new church due to a power struggle with other members.

5. A talented, retired professional is appreciated as head elder, but the new pastor feels the elder is too liberal and undercuts the elder’s ministry.

Prayer for Reconciliation

O God, help us to face conflicts in our relationships with one another. Give us courage that we might by careful labor and loving encounter move beyond our disagreements to find true reconciliation. O God, make us instruments of your peace.

— George D. Parsons, Presbyterian Peacemaking Program