Dispute Resolution
by Owen Taylor

Using technological advancements, churches can now greatly benefit from face-to-face online meetings. People at various locations, whether separated by a few rooms or thousands of miles, can now meet together, audibly and visually. For churches dealing with conflict, this is a real boon.

Acknowledging the existence of conflict is a difficult thing for churches to do. This is particularly true if the conflict involves the senior pastor, board members, or other pastoral staff. By being able to conduct closed door meetings with a specialist "virtually" in the room with you, the church receives all the benefits that an expert brings without any of the unwanted fanfare. The value and advantages of this new technology is great.

Fifteen different locations can be linked simultaneously. If someone in the church is out of town, they can still participate in the scheduled meeting as if they were physically present. Group processing and continuity is maintained without time-consuming delays! Attendees are seen via computer webcams. Voices are heard through their regular phone lines. Everyone sees the same computer screen and information, including Word documents and PowerPoint presentations. The great news is churches now have the help of an experienced church conflict resolution specialist at their fingertips no matter where they are located.

What about the cost for this twenty-first century form of communication? Answer: Apart from the price of a regular phone call, there is no charge to clients for use of this technology. To learn more, go to the website: www.ResolveChurchConflict.com or call 301-253-8877.

The Christian Freedom Foundation, an apostolic legal assistance resource center for churches, can help too, with rules, consent forms and documentation for mediation and arbitration of church disputes. Go to Christianfreedomfoundation.com or call 410-761-0323.

II Corinthians and Matthew 18 do not give churches and believers any ability to use the secular court system for dispute resolution. Therefore, since the use of courts is prohibited, the use of alternate, Christian dispute resolution is imperative.

Additionally, consider amending the by-laws of the church to include mandatory alternative dispute resolutions, such as binding Christian-based arbitration. Give mediation/arbitration a try the next time someone cries "lawsuit."