5004–5018

5004. Conflict Resolution. The person having the grievance shall be first required to follow the Lord’s directions in Matthew 18:15-17.

(1) The person having the grievance should go to the accused and point out the issue, just between the two of them.

(2) If unresolved, the person having the grievance shall seek counsel from the official having jurisdiction (pastor, district superintendent, general officer) relative to the steps to be taken.⁴

(3) If the personal grievance remains unresolved or affects the body of believers, the official having jurisdiction or a designated representative shall privately inquire, and, if necessary, instruct and admonish an offending person. If there is an acknowledgment of the fault and correction is made, the matter shall be dropped.

(4) If the grievance continues, the official in charge shall provide intervention. If the conflict remains unresolved, and if the matter rises to the level of a fair and impartial hearing of charges pending, procedures shall be followed according to The General Board Policy for Church Discipline and Ministerial Restoration.

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^{Paragraphs 5010-5450 were relocated by the 2016 General Conference to the General Board Policy on Church Discipline. A copy of the publication may be obtained by request at communications@wesleyan.org.}

⁴ See 2 Cor. 6:1-8 5006 5008. Left intentionally blank. 5010 5011. Accusations must be in writing, dated, signed by the accuser(s) and handed to the official having jurisdiction over the accused. The official having jurisdiction shall decide whether to handle the matter directly or refer to a higher Church authority. In either case, an investigation of the accusation shall be conducted. Whenever, in the opinion of the accuser(s), proper action has not been taken, appeal may be made to the next higher Church authority. 5014. Settlement by Agreement. At any point in these proceedings, in matters that would not involve removal from credentialed standing or dismissal from membership, if the official having jurisdiction discovers that an agreement can be reached with the parties involved that will settle the matter satisfactorily without a hearing, the official shall establish a written agreement and secure signatures to it from the involved parties and submit it for approval to the official body having jurisdiction and subsequently to the next higher Church authority. If all approve, it shall close the matter. 5016. Citation to Show Cause. If no agreement has yet been reached, and the official having jurisdiction believes the evidence is strong that an offense has occurred, in a final effort to avoid a hearing, the official may cite the person accused of the offense to appear before the official having jurisdiction to show cause why the accused should not go to a hearing. If the matter persists to resist counsel, the matter shall go to a hearing. 5018. Confession of Guilt. At any point in the proceedings outlined above, if the accused shall confess guilt, the official body having jurisdiction shall conclude the proceedings and decide on the discipline to be imposed. (Cf. 5058:4.)