The Tension Of Being A Church
With A Vision For Mission:
Responding with a Covenant of Conduct

Congregational membership is made up of individuals from all walks of life – individuals with various talents, backgrounds, characteristics and life experiences.  Each individual’s experiences and backgrounds creates a plethora of ways in which an individual will react in particular circumstances. Therefore, is it any wonder that, at times, congregations experience conflict and disagreements? Conflict is a normal part of our life together as individuals. So it is with life in the church as well.

The church is not immune to such conflict. It is being the church – in being a brother and sister in Christ – that shapes the way we respond to such conflict and the anxiety it produces. Imagine, if you will, a council meeting where the subject has been brought up of what to do with the endowment earnings for the year – does everyone agree? If they do, there is probably some discussion in the parking lot afterward about what could have been done, or should have been done with the funds.

Even though there is polite agreement at meetings, there seems an undercurrent present in many church meetings that states, “If we don’t agree, we can’t say it, because Christians always agree.” To that St. Paul would say, “Brothers and sisters, we must speak the truth in love to each other and grow up in every way into Christ to equip the saints for the work of ministry.’ [Ephesians 4: 12,15 paraphrased].

To grow in mission and ministry, the expression of the church’s deep, abiding beliefs in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there must be such discussions where all members are able to speak the truth to each other with the love of Christ and each other in their speech at all times and in all places. 

The following Healthy Congregations, Covenant of Conduct, introduced to congregations as the staff works with those involved in the Healthy Congregations process, introduces a way in which individual differences are respected and honored and provides a manner in which groups within a congregation can speak to each other within a safe environment as issues are addressed in the life of the congregation.

We commend this document to your leadership and suggest you discuss and consider it as a tool to be used for strengthening communication in your congregation at an upcoming meeting.  Some congregational leaders have chosen to sign and post this document as a symbol of unity and openness to continued discussion that provides accountability and diversity of opinion for difficult topics that face their continued mission in the name of Christ. 

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Covenant of Conduct

In order for the congregation and the church council to deal effectively with issues of the congregation, the following guidelines are suggested.

1. All members affirm their right to express their opinions about the life and ministry of the congregation.
   
   
2. The congregation operates with a direct democracy form of government that allows members to share their opinions directly with the pastors, church council, commissions and at congregational meetings.
   
   
3. When members of the congregation express an opinion to a member of the council, the council person shall ask, “What would you like me to do with this information?”
   
   
4. If the member desires to have the information transmitted to the council, the member shall be invited to bring the information/opinion to the next council meeting. The time and dates shall be given.
   
   
5. If the member does not wish to appear in person, the council member shall ask the member for permission to use their name in reporting. If permission is not given, the council member shall say, “I’m sorry, but I will not be able to report this to the council since we do not deal with anonymous letters or comments.” *note
   
   
6. If permission is given, the council member shall report the information/opinion to the council and use the member’s name.
   
   
7. At his/her discretion, a council member may ask that the member refer the issue to another council member for presentation.
   
   
8. Each issue shall be placed on the agenda and written in the minutes along with the action taken by the council.  Action may include:  “Received as information,” “Pastor and/or President to visit member and report at next meeting,” etc.
   
   
9. Opinions may be shared in writing with the council and shall be handled in the above mentioned manner if the letter or statement is signed.

*Anonymous complaints create undercurrents that threaten to divide the gathered congregation and disturb its health. Further, anonymous comments can become breeding grounds for gossip and speculation that leads to further division. Conversely, bringing requests, concerns and information to the leadership in a spirit of openness builds trust and creates an atmosphere of accountability and faithfulness.