I’ve been meaning to share this for quite some time but I kept forgetting. It’s very relevant to the topic of my sermon for tomorrow, living together as a community that loves one another. It was adapted by the PPRC, and I share it with their permission, in response the a request from the annual conference to formulate “guidelines for handling grievances, concerns or conflicts:”
With the exception of issues of physical, mental and sexual abuse or harassment, we will encourage those with grievances, concerns or conflicts to approach the party that has offended them directly. If they fear approaching the offending party alone we will offer to accompany them. If they still fear approaching the offending party we will offer to relay the grievances, concerns or conflicts upon the condition that the name of the aggrieved party will also be shared. If this condition is refused then the grievance, concern or conflict shall be dropped.
The focus of the annual conference’s request was primarily for grievances, concerns or conflicts involving Jenny and I as pastors, but I think the principle holds for the entire congregation. If we all followed it, this guideline would do a great deal to foster love for one another in our life together as a congregation.