Overture 17

On Amending D-1.0103 Regarding Mediation and Reconciliation—From the Presbytery of Mission.

The Presbytery of Mission overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) to direct the Stated Clerk to send the following Book of Order amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:

Shall D-1.0103 be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italic.]

“The traditional biblical obligation to conciliate, mediate, and adjust differences without strife is not diminished by these Rules of Discipline. Although the Rules of Discipline describe the way in which judicial process within the church, when necessary, shall be conducted, it is not their intent or purpose to encourage judicial process of any kind or to make it more expensive or difficult. The biblical duty of church people to ‘come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court …’ (Matthew 5:25) is not abated or diminished. It remains the duty of every church member, prior to the initiation of any disciplinary action (except in alleged cases of sexual misconduct), to try (prayerfully and seriously) to bring about an adjustment or settlement of the quarrel, complaint, delinquency, or irregularity asserted, and to avoid formal proceedings under the Rules of Discipline unless, after prayerful deliberation. After discussion, mediation, and/or reconciliation have been attempted, and after prayerful deliberation, formal charges may be brought if they are determined to be necessary to preserve the purity and purposes of the church.”

Rationale

Exercise of Church Discipline: The “exercise of church discipline is … for building up the body of Christ, not for destroying it, for redeeming, not for punishing” (Book of Order, D-1.0102).

Duty of Church Members: “It remains the duty of every church member to try (prayerfully and seriously) to bring about an adjustment or settlement of the quarrel, complaint, delinquency, or irregularity asserted, and to avoid formal proceedings under the Rules of Discipline unless, after prayerful deliberation, they are determined to be necessary to preserve the purity and purposes of the church” (Book of Order, D-1.0103).

Scripture Calls for Reconciliation: Scripture calls on us to seek reconciliation of our differences rather than “going to court” (Matt. 5:25).

Means of Resolution: All means of resolution, including but not limited to discussion, debate, mediation and reconciliation should be attempted before disciplinary charges are considered.

Exception: It is recognized that victims of sexual misconduct are at a distinct disadvantage in mediation processes.

Results: The approval and subsequent adoption of the proposed amendment would be beneficial to the peace, unity, and purity of the church by emphasizing that attempts at reconciliation prior to initiation of disciplinary action would be identified as a duty of each church member.