Official Handbook Source Text

(l) Should any problem arise between an author, the reviewer(s), the publisher, or any other party involved with respect to the material submitted for review, the sponsoring group shall endeavor to resolve it to the satisfaction of the reviewer(s). If it cannot do so, the problem shall be submitted to the Commission on Doctrinal Review which shall follow the appeals procedure and criteria stated in Bylaw 3.9.3.2.1.

1.9.3 After publication , any challenge to material that is subject to doctrinal

review, no matter which process is used as listed in Bylaw 1.9.2, shall be handled according to the procedure and criteria specified in Bylaw

3.9.3.2.2.

1.10 Dispute Resolution of the Synod

Preamble

1.10.1 When disputes, disagreements, or offenses arise among members of the

body of Christ, it is a matter of grave concern for the whole church.

Conflicts that occur in the body should be resolved promptly ( Matt. 5:23– 24; Eph. 4:26 – 27). Parties to disputes are urged by the mercies of God to proceed with one another with “the same attitude that was in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). In so doing, individuals, congregations, various agencies within the Synod, and other eligible parties listed in Bylaw 1.10.2 are urged to reject a “win-lose” attitude that typifies secular conflict. For the sake of the Gospel, the church should spare no resource in providing assistance.

1.10.1.1 The Holy Scriptures (1 Cor. 6:1–7 ) urge Christians to settle their differences

by laying them before the “members of the brotherhood.” Therefore, the Synod in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 6 calls upon all parties to a disagreement, accusation, controversy, or disciplinary action to rely exclusively and fully on the Synod’ s system of reconciliation and conflict resolution. The use of the Synod ’s conflict resolution procedures shall be the exclusive and final remedy for those who are in dispute. Fitness for ministry and other theological matters must be determined within the church. Parties to disputes are urged, in matters of a doctrinal nature, to follow the procedures as outlined in Bylaw section 1.8.

1.10.1.2 The words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15– 20 provide the basis for church

discipline for the local congregation. The same passage also grants Christ’s guidance to all Christians in seeking to settle other disputes, many of which fall outside the purview of church discipline involving the congregation. In either case, the steps of Matthew 18 should be applied lovingly in both formal and informal setting s. Matthew 18 does not apply directly in cases of public sin, but face -to-face meetings are required nonetheless, even in the case of public sin, toward the goal of reconciliation and winning the brother or sister. The parties and others attempting to effect resolution of a dispute must always remain mindful that the church has been given the “ministry of reconciliation” ( 2 Cor. 5:18). Hence, conflict resolution in the church is to lead to reconciliation, restoring the erring member in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Its aim is to avoid the adversarial system practiced in society.

1.10.1.3 The heart and center of all Christian conflict resolution is the justification

of the sinner through grace in Christ Jesus. Biblical reconciliation of persons in conflict begins with God’s truth that we are all sinners who have