Peacemaking and Reconciliation 

 

Our Commitment -- Our church believes that God calls all believers to respond to conflict in a way that demonstrates the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. We have adopted the Peacemaker’s Pledge as a practical guideline for how Christians should resolve their differences, and we are committed to assisting our members in living out these principles in the midst of life’s conflicts.

Resources Available  -- If you would like to explore ways that you can resolve a conflict personally and privately, you can find helpful guidance through several written and audio resources that are available in the church office or library. You can also find a wealth of practical information on conflict resolution through Peacemaker® Ministries’ website.

Reconciler Assistance   -- If you need assistance in planning how to respond to a conflict biblically, thefollowing reconcilers in our church are available as “conflict coaches.” You may talk with one of them by phone or in person.

Fred or Tara Barthel……………..254-0049
Rex Clark………………………..259-7811
Annmarie Hamling………………256-9342
Donna Holden**..….……………652-3270
Amy Laverman…………………..256-1701
Judy TenHarmsel………………..256-3744
Chip Zimmer …………………….256-2381

These reconcilers have been trained through Peacemaker Ministries’ and they serve under the guidance of our church leadership. Reconcilers do not provide professional counseling or legal advice. They offer compassionate listening, prayer, and biblical advice on how you can respond to conflicts, including those in your marriage, family, church, or workplace.

 

Each of us occasionally needs a listening ear, prayer, and godly advice to deal with the conflicts of daily life. Our church’s reconcilers are well qualified to give this support, and I myself have sometimes turned to one of them for wisdom and guidance. If you are in a conflict, I encourage you to call a reconciler and draw on their special gifts, training, and experience.

Pastor Alfred Poirier

 

Pastoral Assistance -- If you prefer, you may contact one of our church elders or members of our pastoral staff, who are also available to provide you with practical advice and assistance in resolving a conflict.

 

Mediation Assistance -- If you have a conflict that may need mediation (a meeting involving both parties), please contact our reconciliation coordinator, Donna Holden, at 652-3270. If you are involved in a complex business or legal dispute that may require formal mediation or arbitration, our reconciliation coordinator may refer you to a qualified church reconciler or to a Certified Christian Conciliator™.

Biblical Basis -- We believe that the Bible provides thorough guidance and instruction for faith and life.  Therefore, our peacemaking advice is based on scriptural principles rather than those of secular psychology or psychiatry.  The reconcilers of this church are not trained or licensed as psycho­therapists or mental health professionals, nor should they be expected to follow the methods of such specialists.

Not Professional Advice -- Some of our reconcilers work in professional fields outside the church.  When serving as reconcilers within this church, however, they do not provide the same kind of professional advice and services that they do when they are hired in their professional capacities.  Therefore, if you have significant legal, financial, medical or other technical questions, you should seek advice from an independent professional.  Our reconcilers will be happy to cooperate with such advisors and help you to consider their counsel in the light of relevant scriptural principles.

Confidentiality -- Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process, and we will carefully guard the information you entrust to us.  There are four situations, however, when it may be necessary for us to share certain information with others: when a reconciler is uncertain of how to address a particular problem and needs to seek advice from a pastor or elder in this church; when a counselee attends another church and it is necessary to talk with his or her pastor or elders; when there is a clear indication that someone may be harmed unless others intervene; or when a person persistently refuses to renounce a particular sin and it becomes necessary to seek the assistance of others in the church to encourage repentance and reconciliation (see Proverbs 15:22; 24:11; Matthew 18:15-20).  Please be assured that our reconcilers strongly prefer not to disclose personal information to others, and they will make every effort to help you find ways to resolve a problem as privately as possible.

Resolution of Conflicts -- On rare occasions a conflict may develop between a reconciler and a counselee.  In order to make sure that any such conflicts will be resolved in a biblically faithful manner, we require all of our counselees to agree that any dispute that arises with a reconciler or with this church as a result of conflict coaching will be settled by media­tion and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Institute for Christian Conciliation.

Having clarified the principles and policies of our reconciliation ministry, we welcome the opportunity to minister to you in the name of Christ and to be used by Him as He helps you to respond to conflict and grow in spiritual maturity. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please talk with a pastor, elder, or reconciler.