Pastors and congregations shall endeavor to articulate a clear understanding of each other’s expectations and to resolve differences by sincerely following biblical principles including those found in Matthew 18:15–20 and Galatians 6:1–5. In a spirit of cooperation and reconciliation within the church,
- Individual or collective members of the congregation shall be encouraged to resolve differences by discussing them face-to-face with the pastor or discreetly with a church board member. Individual or collective members of the church board shall seek to resolve differences by discussing them face-to-face with the pastor.
- If either of the foregoing face-to-face discussions fails to bring resolution, the complainant shall seek the assistance of one or two spiritually mature members of the congregation or church board in resolving the differences.
- The persons involved in such small-group efforts shall bring the differences to the full church board only after face-to-face discussions and small-group efforts have failed. If so called upon, the church board shall work at resolving differences in a spirit of love, acceptance, and forgiveness, and in accordance with church discipline. (123–126.2, 129.1)