POLICY ON RECONCILIATION, LOVE, AND RESTORATION

The following is the document that is to be discussed and voted on in the Jan. 25, 2009 Business Meeting.

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FOUR MILE CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

POLICY ON RECONCILIATION, LOVE, AND RESTORATION


Matthew 18:15-17 instructs believers to confront sin and resolve disputes in the following manner: If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that “very matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

In keeping with Matthew’s instruction and to assist in the discipline of Four Mile Creek Baptist Church in accord with its Constitution and ByLaws:

1. The Deacons shall appoint from among themselves five Deacons to constitute a Council for Church Peace and three other Deacons to constitute an Appeals Committee, such Deacons to serve for a term of one year, but subject to their eligibility for reappointment provided that no Deacon may serve in either capacity for more than three consecutive years without at least one year without service in the appointed position.

2. When a member of the Church confronts an alleged offense against that member, or otherwise within the Church, and has taken the first two steps of Matthew’s instruction without a satisfactory resolution of the offense, then that member may present to the Council (through the Pastor of the Church) a written complaint, detailing the alleged offense and signed and dated by the member. The Council will investigate the matter in an effort to determine the facts of and related to the alleged offense and whether it is contrary to Biblical standards. Within 60 days after receiving the complaint, the Council shall issue, to the complaining member and to the individual or individuals whose conduct has been questioned (those being parties to the proceeding), a written report of the Council’s findings and conclusions, to include what disciplinary measures are to be taken if any. Any recommended termination of membership must be approved in accord with Article II, Section 3 of the ByLaws. Should a complaint be presented against a minor member, or minor child of an adult member, a parent or guardian must be present for any appearance by the minor before the Council or member thereof.

3. Within 30 days after issuance of the Council’s report, any party to the proceeding may appeal one or more of the Council’s conclusions by submitting a written notice of appeal to the Pastor, which notice shall be signed and dated by the appellant. The Pastor shall promptly forward the notice to the Appeals Committee, which, within 45 days after receipt, shall review the report and render its written decision affirming, reversing, or modifying the Council’s conclusions; or remanding the matter to the Council in light of any material questions raised by the Committee about the Council’s factual findings, or concerning new and material factual information brought to the attention of the Committee.

4. If the complaint concerns, at least in material part, the conduct of a member of the Council or of the Committee, that member shall recuse himself or herself from service on the Council or Committee to the extent of their actions arising from the complaint.

5. Any disciplinary measure shall include a plan of mentoring and restoration, although not necessarily restoration to a position, other than membership, previously held within the Church.

6. Any offense believed to be in violation of law shall be referred to the appropriate authorities, but any referral shall not necessarily exclude a proceeding before the Council or the Committee.