Conflict Resolution Policy—from “5 Rules of Thumb”
• Conflict Resolution Policy
Use this conflict resolution policy as a guideline for your ministry. You may wish to review it annually, have your ministry create its own, or have volunteers and staff sign it.
Guidelines for Christlike Communication and Conflict Resolution
"If your brother sins against you, go to him." Matt. 18:15-17
"Go and be reconciled to your brother." Matt. 5:24
"Speak the truth in love." Eph. 4:15
1. If you have a problem with someone, go to him or her privately
before discussing it with anyone else.
2. If someone has a problem with another person and comes to you, send
him or her to that person. If the person is reluctant to go, offer to go along. If the person refuses, ask him or her not to talk about the issue until
first speaking directly to the person involved.
3. Be careful how you interpret people. On matters that are unclear,
don't feel pressured to interpret the other person's feeling or thoughts. It's easy to misinterpret intentions if you are not sure.
4. If anyone comes to you in confidence, don't tell unless:
• The person is going to harm himself or herself,
• The person is going to physically or otherwise harm someone else,
• A child has been physically or sexually abused.
5. Do not manipulate; do not let others manipulate you. Do not let others try to manipulate someone else through you.
6. When in doubt, ask. The Body cares about its members, so if you have a concern, pray; then if led, ask.