Managing conflict

While stressful, conflict can also be used as a force for good that helps to create constructive social change.

Mediation and Restorative Practices Service

Most of us will experience conflict in different ways, times and aspects of our lives. For it to transform into a positive change, conflict must be approached with care and in many times, with guidance, often in the form of mediation.

1. What we do

There are different ways to address conflict or disputes. Mediation is a structured process in which disagreements are addressed with the support of an independent third party. Restorative Practice (RP) is used when harm has been done between two or more people. These processes are voluntary, will be less adversarial and more flexible. They are creative ways to identify and put into action some form of understanding and agreement that all participants are able to accept.

They allow for accountability, but the purpose is not to decide if anyone is good or bad. Rather, they are used to explore how people have been affected by what has happened and work together towards repairing the harm.

2. What we believe about peacemaking

• That it is crucial to God’s work of reconciliation in the world.
• Salvation as described in the Bible involves reconciliation between God and people, between creation and people, and between and within ourselves. It is a personal and social, individual and corporate, transformative process.
• And like Christ’s transformation of our lives, the transformation of conflict is not of our own doing, it is received as a gift from God.
• God has a vision of shalom (peace, wholeness, justice) for the world. Scripture offers numerous references to God’s desire to establish shalom on earth. As God’s servants, we journey towards the shalom community, but do it recognising the realities of conflict today and its effects on human affairs.

3. Principles of Mediation and Restorative Practices

The service adheres to the following, well-recognised, principles of mediation and restorative practices, in whatever setting:

• Confidentiality
• Advocacy of good quality values and process
• Non-judgemental
• Non-advisory

Our Mediators and Restorative Practitioners are qualified, experienced and professional and will adhere to these fundamental principles at all times. Wherever possible, they will work in teams of two, preferably one clergy and one lay mediator. In complex cases, or where mediators/RPs are known to the parties in a different capacity, the independent position of the mediator will be protected. They are obliged to inform the steering committee of any potential conflict of interest where their independence may be questioned by parties or other stakeholders.

Alongside the above principles, mediators and RPs will bring their faith and beliefs to the mediation/RP process. The value of bringing faith and the fundamental power of seeking reconciliation cannot be underestimated to the mediation process, and will be a “value-add” to users of the service.

On occasion, where appropriate, we may use professional mediators who are not overtly Christian, but are content with working for the diocese having expressed acceptance of our peacemaking values. God the Holy Spirit is able to use all in the work of reconciliation.

4. Why offer this service?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” – 2 Cor 13: 11

Conflict is inevitable – it is part of the “human condition” and is present in every single human relationship. How we deal with it within our churches and teams as church leaders can make the difference between finding a positive way forward or causing more damage and pain for those involved. We need not be frightened of conflict, but use it as an enabler for positive transformation.

The service’s vision is to use mediation to transform relationships – whether the result is the end of a particular relationship, or the positive development of the relationship – to enable parties to move forward reconciled. Reconciliation itself is always the goal, but comes in many forms.

The Mediation and Restorative Practices (RP) Service is here to help you navigate conflict and be an agent of reconciliation and peace.

5. How we can help

The service is available for any disputes within the Diocese and will provide a referral to other organisations/services if it is unable to meet the specific needs of a case.

The service intends to support all aspects of Diocesan life, from parishes to corporate departments, mediating disputes and conflict ranging from two party cases to team, departmental and parish conflict.

The service is established with a view to applying faith and Church principles throughout the Diocese.

It is able to provide mediation to disputes including:

• Civil and commercial matters (subject to qualification of mediators)
• Workplace conflict (within the Diocese and within parishes), including using restorative practices in staffing matters
• Parish (within and between parishes) disputes
• General interpersonal conflict
• Cross-denominational mediation and facilitated conversation on matters of faith or policy
• Training in understanding and responding to conflict
• Conflict consultancy or coaching

The service will not provide family mediation where there are legal proceedings relating to divorce or custody.