What happens if the minister or the board does not want peacemaking?
One sign of high level conflict in a church is when one party, the minister or the board, resists attempts to initiate the peacemaking process. When this is the case, the Director of Peacemaking Services will assist the leadership of the church in working through whatever concerns or resistance exists regarding the peacemaking process. Because peacemaking is voluntary and non-punitive, it is necessary that all parties agree to the request for assistance. In the event that one party remains unwilling to participate in the process, the bylaws of the church enable the minister or board to call a special membership meeting to resolve this issue. Occasionally, it is the congregation that wishes help while the minister and board feel that assistance is not warranted. In this case, the congregation may request assistance subject to applicable provisions included in the bylaws of the church. A request for assistance does not always guarantee that assistance will happen, however. The Director o
