Elder Bios 2012 - Gracepoint Community Church
Elder Bios 2012 - Gracepoint Community Church
Elder Bios 2012 - Gracepoint Community Church
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Meet Your <strong>2012</strong> <strong>Gracepoint</strong> <strong>Elder</strong> Nominees<br />
In the fall of 2011 a steering team consisng of Ron Wall, Lois Wateron, Arnold Machel, Steve Bains (Surrey South Campus<br />
pastor), Jeff Renaud (Bell Campus pastor), and Phil Wagler (Interim lead pastor) was asked to oversee the calling<br />
out of new elders to serve on the <strong>Gracepoint</strong> leadership team.<br />
This steering team worked at a revision of our leadership team protocol (available at www.gracepoint.ca) and asked<br />
the church to suggest potenal candidates for elder leadership. Our desire was to see at least two elders from the current<br />
team connue on this new team. We want to thank our outgoing elders, Ernie Isaac, Marie Isaac, Sam Rowland,<br />
Bryan Jakeman, and Doug Stuart for their diligent and commied service to our church family over the past number of<br />
years. May God bless each of them as they enter new avenues of service among us. We also want to thank the church<br />
family for the numerous suggesons of possible candidates given.<br />
As a result of prayer, interviews, and our discernment as a steering team we are united in presenng the following persons<br />
for elder. You will note that we present candidates with staggered term-lengths in order to begin a healthy<br />
rhythm of the calling of elders moving forward.<br />
We present these individuals for your prayerful consideraon, asking that you respond with words of affirmaon or<br />
concern (1 Timothy 5:17-19) by January 22 to the steering team directly by contacng Phil Walger<br />
(phil@gracepoint.ca or 604.538.1825 ext.208). The steering team will carefully weigh all that is shared in confidence<br />
and, following this process, move to affirm and commission our elders to lead.<br />
Here, then, are the <strong>Gracepoint</strong>ers we present for elder leadership:<br />
JEFF EDWARDS (1 year)<br />
I have been part of our church for the last 16 years. My wife Gail and I have had the joy to see<br />
our daughters Abbey and Scarle come to faith at <strong>Gracepoint</strong> and our enre family has been<br />
involved in various ways over the years. I served in Worship Arts as a team leader for almost a<br />
decade and served a three-year term on the Leadership Team a few years back. My job requires<br />
frequent travel, making regular involvement a challenge, but I am excited to commit to serving<br />
in this capacity for a one-year term.<br />
RON MARSHALL (1 year)<br />
I have been a member of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Church</strong> for 17 years and have been on the<br />
leadership team for over ten years. I have worked as a banjo teacher and player, pizza cook,<br />
served two years in the US Army, worked as a craps (dice) dealer in Reno NV, an aerial survey<br />
photographer and darkroom technician, and in sales. I have a Master of Divinity in pastoral<br />
studies and have served as an associate and lead pastor. I currently own a business and enjoy<br />
spending me with my three children and two amazing grandkids.
JOHN HOWAT (2 years)<br />
At the age of 8 years I asked Christ into my heart and about one year later was bapzed.<br />
YFC introduced me to Dorothy. We were married in 1954.We have a daughter, two sons, and<br />
eight grandchildren.<br />
I became an electrician and aer 20 years in that trade, we moved to Toronto to manage a building<br />
maintenance operaon for 3 years. World Vision then employed me and I became the Canadian<br />
western director. In 1986 we moved to Surrey and began aending Peace Arch Fellowship. We<br />
helped to launch the Sunday Night <strong>Community</strong> Dinner and I was acve on the <strong>Elder</strong>s board.<br />
CECIL RAST (2 years)<br />
I was born in a 1 st naons village in northern BC. My parents were teachers and missionaries to<br />
the people there. I felt called into ministry shortly aer finishing high school, and aer bible<br />
school joined Youth for Christ. 25 years later, I am now serving as the Surrey area director and I<br />
sll love working with kids who are marginalized. I started coming to panorama when it was 3<br />
years old and sll met in the elementary school. For me, the experience was a breath of fresh air,<br />
and I have been coming to <strong>Gracepoint</strong> ever since.<br />
ARCHIE JOHNSTON (2 years)<br />
I am an audit partner with the professional accounng firm KPMG LLP and the Canadian Naonal<br />
industry leader for KPMG’s Not for Profit and Public Sector pracce. I have been with KPMG for<br />
32 years. I am a past president of the Surrey Board of Trade and past chair of the Surrey Board of<br />
Trade’s Governors’ Council. I am a life member of the Government Finance Officers Associaon<br />
of BC (“GFOA”) and served 10 years as a member of the GFOA’s board of directors. I am also a<br />
fellow of the Instute of Chartered Accountants of BC and chair of the Instute’s public sector<br />
accounng forum.<br />
My wife Susan and I have 3 children: Bobby (24) aending medical school in California, Peter (21) aending an engineering<br />
undergraduate program at SFU, and Tessa (19) apprencing as a baker.<br />
I became a Chrisan while in high school through the Young Life program. I have served as a volunteer Young Life<br />
Leader, volunteer youth leader, Home Group Program Coordinator Home Group leader, and served on Panorama’s<br />
Leadership team for 5 years. My wife and I went to Peace Portal Alliance 10 years ago when we moved to South Surrey.<br />
We returned to <strong>Gracepoint</strong> approximately 2 years ago. I have also served on the board of directors of the Burnaby<br />
Chrisan <strong>Community</strong> Counseling Group. I have a passion for discipleship, teaching and mentoring.<br />
CHAD KOEHN (3 years)<br />
21 years now.<br />
I was born and raised in a loving Chrisan home, and have aended MB churches all of my life. I<br />
accepted Christ around the age of 5, and took the step of bapsm when I was 15. Aer spending<br />
a year in Australia aending Capenwray Bible school, I pursued an educaon in electromechanical<br />
engineering. That educaon got me the job that I sll have today. I’ve been with the same company<br />
for over 16 years, and currently manage the mechanical engineering group. I married my<br />
wife Maria 11 years ago, and we’ve been aending <strong>Gracepoint</strong>/Panorama <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Church</strong> for
DIANA MARK (3 years)<br />
I grew up in Victoria, and our family aended the United <strong>Church</strong>. I loved Jesus from a young<br />
age. Family difficules (one of those understatements in life) meant that growing up a healthy<br />
person was a huge challenge. At 16 I commied my life to Christ.<br />
In my early 20s I headed to the US to aend Bible college. Two years of life focusing on the<br />
Bible and prayer built some real depth in my life and my relaonship with Christ.<br />
I moved to Vancouver and met my husband David at Burnaby Chrisan Fellowship. We became involved in premarital<br />
counseling and marriage enrichment. One of our life verses is in Genesis 12, where God blesses Abraham in<br />
order that he may be a blessing to others.<br />
I also served on the Board of Heritage Chrisan School for 3 years. We joined Panorama/<strong>Gracepoint</strong> in 2000 so our<br />
kids could build relaonships with other young Chrisans in our area. David & I have 3 awesome kids: Chris (25),<br />
Kevin (22) and Stephanie (20). We’re really proud of them, parcularly because they all love God.<br />
Career-wise, I am President of Greystone Corporate Services, and we provide corporate services to two public mining<br />
companies in downtown Vancouver.<br />
For the past few months I have sensed a strong, freshening wind of God’s Spirit at <strong>Gracepoint</strong>. I believe that He is<br />
calling us closer to Him that we may serve His kingdom more fully, and that we’ll see that worked out over the days<br />
and months ahead.<br />
KIM SAVAGE (3 years)<br />
I’m my husband’s wife; my two sons’ mother; a good friend; at work, a “PR girl” through and<br />
through; but most of all a woman who is blessed to live a redeemed life through our Lord and<br />
Saviour Jesus Christ. I have walked through dark mes and had the benefit to enjoy the light<br />
and hope only found in Jesus. It’s probably why I have such a passion for people to develop a<br />
faith that makes a difference in their homes, their jobs and their communies – to get unstuck<br />
from where they have been and get excited about where they are going and the difference only<br />
their life can make. <strong>Gracepoint</strong> (and before that Panorama) has been home since 1993 and it would be a privilege<br />
to serve on team that will help shape our next chapter as a church community and see what God will purpose for us.<br />
JEREMY WILSON (3 years)<br />
I was raised in a Chrisan home in New Zealand and accepted Christ as Lord at the age of 13 at<br />
a Bapst church Easter camp. At university my spiritual growth was accelerated by parcipaon<br />
in Navigators. Early in my engineering post-doctorate years I returned to a student dorm to encourage<br />
the younger Chrisans in residence. I married Cathy in 1987 and immigrated to Canada<br />
that same year to pursue my career in soware engineering, with skiing Whistler and exploring<br />
the great outdoors of BC as ulterior moves. With the arrival of our first child, Grace, and a<br />
move to Newton, Cathy and I became members of the fledgling Panorama <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Church</strong>. Sons Jonathan and<br />
Daniel soon followed, and Cathy served on staff with Kids Unlimited for several years. We now live in North Delta,<br />
co-leading a life group with Paul and Jackie Buckley. My desire is to see <strong>Gracepoint</strong> stay focused on the basics of our<br />
wonderful faith as a church family, and to see our church culture reinvigorated, especially for our children and<br />
youth.
<strong>Gracepoint</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Church</strong><br />
LEADERSHIP TEAM PROTOCOL<br />
The Calling, Responsibilities, and Organization of <strong>Elder</strong>s and Pastoral Staff<br />
PREAMBLE<br />
Key Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-20; John 1:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-10; Philippians 2:1-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Titus 1:5;<br />
Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2<br />
Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh and in Him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the risen Lord of<br />
history and the head of the <strong>Church</strong>. To Him we bow are hearts and knees.<br />
Stewardship of the believing community and the mission of God through the local church are entrusted to an appointed<br />
and affirmed team of elders who oversee the life and ministry of the church. Responsibility for ministry operation<br />
and implementation of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Church</strong> (“<strong>Gracepoint</strong>”) is entrusted to the pastoral staff, which is directed<br />
by the lead pastor. The pastoral staff is accountable to the elders, who in turn are accountable to the <strong>Gracepoint</strong><br />
body of believers.<br />
The elders and at least three members of the pastoral staff comprise the leadership team. This team provides spiritual<br />
oversight of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> .<br />
This document guides the calling, function and exercising of the elders and pastoral staff for the maturity of the<br />
church and the glory of God.<br />
I. QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDER LEADERSHIP<br />
Individually and corporately as a team, elders need to meet the following requirements:<br />
Character<br />
Key Scriptures: Acts 20:17-36; 1 Corinthians 6:18-7:9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7;<br />
2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4<br />
An elder must give evidence of the following biblical character qualities:<br />
• Self-disciplined and self-controlled (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)<br />
• A love and watchfulness for the flock of God (Acts 20:28)<br />
• Able to give clear understanding of the Gospel and teach it (Acts 20:29-30; 1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:24-25; Titus<br />
1:9)<br />
• An example of Christ-like character, servant-hood and sacrifice (Acts 20:33-35; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 5:2-3)<br />
• Prayerfulness (Acts 20:36)<br />
• Above reproach, trustworthy, honest, worthy of respect and known for integrity (1 Timothy 3:2,7; Titus 1:6)
• Fidelity and monogamy if married; celibacy if unmarried (1 Corinthians 7:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6)<br />
• Hospitable (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8)<br />
• Not given to drunkenness (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7)<br />
• Not argumentative or given to resentfulness (1 Timothy 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:24)<br />
• Not a lover of money or seeking dishonest gain (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2)<br />
• Evidence of a Christ-centered home (1 Timothy 3:4-5; Titus 1:6)<br />
• Not a recent convert (1 Timothy 3:6)<br />
• Kindness (2 Timothy 2:24)<br />
• A desire for people to walk in repentance (2 Timothy 2:25)<br />
• Not over-bearing or arrogant (Titus 1:7)<br />
• Not given to anger or violence (Titus 1:7)<br />
Humility (1 Peter 5:3)<br />
Competence<br />
Key Scriptures: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31; Ephesians 4:7-16<br />
The Leadership Team will be comprised of elders with multiple competencies utilizing a diverse mix of spiritual gifts<br />
effectively combined with life experience and vocational skills and training.<br />
Competencies essential for the healthy functioning of The Leadership Team are:<br />
• Discernment<br />
• Wisdom<br />
• Communication<br />
• Leadership<br />
• Giving<br />
• Encouragement<br />
• Administration<br />
• Apostleship<br />
• Prophecy<br />
• Evangelism<br />
• Pastoring/Shepherding<br />
Teaching<br />
Chemistry<br />
Key Scriptures: Psalm 133; Proverbs 27:17; John13:34-35; John 17:20-23;<br />
Ephesians 4:3-6
<strong>Elder</strong>s desire the unity of the church and actively seek to love, respect and complement each other as members of a<br />
team. This does not mean agreement at all times, but rather the welcoming of diversity, mutual submission and<br />
sharpening.<br />
Courage<br />
Key Scriptures: 1Timothy 4:1-16; 2 Timothy 2:1-13<br />
<strong>Elder</strong>s demonstrate a commitment to God’s truth and discerned corporate decisions. <strong>Elder</strong> leadership involves a<br />
need for confidentiality, humility, the ability to confront if necessary, and good communication and relational skills.<br />
II. GRACEPOINT AS AN ELDER- AND STAFF-LED CHURCH<br />
<strong>Gracepoint</strong> is elder- and staff-led, and volunteer-driven.<br />
Key Scriptures: John 13; Ephesians 4:11-16; 5:15-32; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 22:36-40;<br />
28:16-20; 1 Timothy 4:6-16; 5:19; 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5; Philippians 2:1-11; Galatians 5:19-26; Acts 1:21<br />
-26; 6:1-7<br />
Pastoral Staff Responsibility<br />
The pastoral staff is entrusted and empowered to lead, make decisions in conversation with the church and her elders,<br />
and equip the saints for ministry, championing the priesthood of all believers. Staff are called by the church<br />
under the leadership of the elders and charged with the responsibility of developing and overseeing the various ministries<br />
deemed necessary for the healthy functioning of the church. These are usually salaried individuals. The dayto-day<br />
functions of the church are in their purview and they are responsible to steward the truth of the Gospel, work<br />
with the body to discern and articulate vision, form a Great Commission and Great Commandment disciple-making<br />
community, shepherd the flock of God, and equip the saints to serve one another and our world. The pastoral staff<br />
are led by the lead pastor in function and are together accountable to the leadership team.<br />
B. Leadership Team Selection and Organization<br />
The leadership team consists of 8–14 elders (with representation from all <strong>Gracepoint</strong> campuses). In addition to this<br />
number, the lead pastor and campus pastors are non-voting members. The leadership team can request the presence<br />
of other staff members as deemed necessary.<br />
Any committed follower of Jesus Christ living in fellowship and on mission with <strong>Gracepoint</strong> and demonstrating the<br />
biblical criteria for spiritual leadership outlined in this document can be considered for eldership.<br />
The Selection of <strong>Elder</strong>s<br />
<strong>Elder</strong>s are called to the leadership team by a process guided by the steering team.
The Steering Team: A team led by the leadership team vice-chairperson. The leadership team will call the<br />
church body to suggest possible new elders as needed. From these suggestions, the leadership team will<br />
ask three people to serve on the steering team with the vice-chairperson and the lead pastor. The steering<br />
team will oversee elder discernment and vetting as per this document, and present candidates to the church<br />
for affirmation. Affirmation will be by a call for words of confirmation or concern that is received and processed<br />
by the steering team. Pending this process of affirmation, the candidate is recommended by the<br />
steering team to the elders who invite that person to join the leadership team and present them to the body<br />
for commissioning.<br />
Term of Service<br />
<strong>Elder</strong>s are called to serve a three-year term. After a first three-year term, an elder will be eligible to serve a second<br />
term, if still willing and able, following an evaluation by the steering team in consultation with the rest of the leadership<br />
team. After serving two consecutive terms an elder is ineligible for eldership for a minimum period of one year.<br />
<strong>Elder</strong>s can be asked to step down from the leadership team if a lifestyle inconsistent with the biblical criteria for eldership<br />
is discerned or if there is an inability or unwillingness to fulfill the responsibilities expected of a member of the<br />
leadership team (health reasons, failure to attend meetings, divisiveness, etc.)<br />
Leadership Team Organization<br />
Chairperson: an elder chosen annually by the leadership team to oversee organization and function. This person<br />
sets the agenda in consultation with the lead pastor and other elders and is responsible to call and lead meetings.<br />
Vice-chairperson: an elder chosen annually by the leadership team. The vice-chairperson is responsible to ensure<br />
this protocol is followed with integrity. He/she also leads the steering team.<br />
Recording secretary: shall be chosen annually by the leadership team. Minutes of team meetings, apart from<br />
items requiring confidentiality, shall be made available to the church as a whole by the recording secretary. This person<br />
also ensures ongoing clear communication between the leadership team and the church body in various forms.<br />
Stewardship representative: a non-staff elder shall be chosen annually by the leadership team. This person will<br />
lead the stewardship team.<br />
Stewardship team: A team chaired by the leadership team stewardship representative, includes the lead<br />
pastor and/or an appointed staff representative, and 3-4 non-elders appointed annually by the leadership<br />
team. The stewardship team shall oversee <strong>Gracepoint</strong>’s annual budget process and present a budget for final<br />
approval to the leadership team. They will also ensure the communication of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> financials to the<br />
church body throughout the year.<br />
Leadership Team Responsibility<br />
Oversight: The leadership team is responsible to oversee the spiritual well-being and unity of <strong>Gracepoint</strong>. When<br />
necessary, elders are expected to respond to church discipline and conflict with wisdom, in a spirit of grace, and in<br />
obedience to the Scriptures (see Confronting Conflict, attached). <strong>Elder</strong>s are responsible to familiarize themselves<br />
with the confession of faith, vision, mission, ministries, policies and procedures of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> and work with the pastoral<br />
staff to discern the vision and direction for the church and guard core doctrine, values and mission.<br />
Disciple-making: <strong>Elder</strong>s should lead or be involved in a life group or other disciple-making relationships where the<br />
physical, mental, emotional and spiritual care of themselves and others is prioritized and modeled.<br />
Staff relations: While not involved in the day-to-day operations of the church, the leadership team maintains a<br />
strong relationship with the pastoral staff. The elders and staff walk in mutual submission. <strong>Elder</strong>s provide encourage-
ment, wisdom, insight, prayer support, and cautionary input and may be asked to relate directly to a staff person in<br />
this regard.<br />
The elders are responsible for hiring, evaluating, and if necessary, terminating the lead pastor. The lead pastor oversees<br />
the hiring, evaluating, and if necessary, terminating of all other staff in dialogue with the rest of the leadership<br />
team.<br />
Stewardship: The leadership team is responsible for the financial operations of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> . The annual operating<br />
budget is approved by the full leadership team (with the noted abstention of any elder[s] in a real or perceived conflict<br />
of interest). Staff compensation is determined by the non-staff members of the leadership team in consultation<br />
with the stewardship team that works in dialogue with the lead pastor or an appointed staff representative. Members<br />
of the leadership team lead by example by generously giving to the ministry of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> .<br />
Fellowship with BC Conference of Mennonite Brethren <strong>Church</strong>es (“BCMB”): The leadership team also assumes<br />
responsibility that <strong>Gracepoint</strong> remains in good standing and partnership with BCMB and operates according<br />
to its Constitution, Bylaws and Confession of Faith. All <strong>Gracepoint</strong> property titles are held by BCMB.<br />
Meeting frequency: Regularly, usually on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. The Chairperson may discern that certain<br />
decisions and actions require elder involvement between regular meetings via phone, email, or as a gathered team.<br />
Decision-making: The Holy Spirit is the ultimate authority in decision-making. We value consensus and work toward<br />
that prayerfully while formalizing decisions through parliamentary procedure. While creating a space that values a<br />
variety of opinions and even disagreement, the leadership team strives for the ideal of unanimity. Decisions regarding<br />
congregational finances, staffing, or the overall vision and direction of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> will seek the involvement of<br />
every member of the leadership team. Where a real or perceived conflict of interest exists regarding a leadership<br />
team decision (i.e. an elder who is supported by the church’s mission budget or receiving any financial benefit), the<br />
elder(s) in this position of real or perceived conflict must excuse themselves from influence over the decision with<br />
that abstention noted in the leadership team minutes.<br />
Pastoral Staff and Leadership Team: A Partnership of Servant-hood<br />
The pastoral staff and elders maintain a posture of servanthood that seeks in all things the glory of God, desires the<br />
best for the church and her witness in the world, and models a relationship of mutual accountability and submission.<br />
The leadership team and pastoral staff are a microcosm of the church. Therefore, elders and pastoral staff follow the<br />
example of Jesus Christ, who came as a humble servant. The elders and staff place a high priority on healthy Christcentered<br />
relationships and Spirit-led action that is done unto the Lord.<br />
CONFRONTING CONFLICT*<br />
"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses<br />
it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back<br />
again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen,<br />
take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that<br />
person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17<br />
Disagreements can be constructive, but whenever one occurs, if those involved don’t turn to Matthew 18:15-17
and follow it very closely, the disagreement can become destructive very quickly. Here are some common symptoms<br />
that indicate unresolved conflict exists within a relationship, Life Group, or even a Ministry or Task Group at<br />
<strong>Gracepoint</strong>.<br />
Tattling: someone brings a conflict to a person in leadership before he or she has directly confronted the offending<br />
party.<br />
Tiredness: the avoidance of or fleeing from a conflict, as evidenced by work patterns devoid of energy.<br />
Retaliation: sometimes a very subtle, passive aggression (a person may withdraw or withhold usual courtesies).<br />
Inauthenticity: duplicity between how someone feels and acts toward another.<br />
Tattling, tiredness, retaliation, and inauthenticity make for an unpleasant environment. Thankfully, Matthew 18:15<br />
-17 presents practical guidelines for conflict resolution, the most important which could be summarized as<br />
“confront directly and early”. Consider the following action steps:<br />
“10 Commandments” to Biblical Confrontation<br />
#1 Commit to owning the Value<br />
Teach and model Matthew 18:15-17 often and through many different voices so it becomes part of the very fabric<br />
of <strong>Gracepoint</strong> and Growth Groups before relational discord occurs.<br />
#2 Monitor Yourself<br />
1 Timothy 4:16 says, “Watch your life closely”. Learn to discern which offences you can let be covered by sheer<br />
grace and which get rooted in your spirit and must be addressed.<br />
#3 Redirect Others<br />
Resist the temptation to listen when someone discusses a conflict he or she is having with another person in the<br />
group/church and, instead, redirect that person to honour Matthew 18: 15-17 by talking to the offending party directly.<br />
#4 Know how to Confront<br />
Resolving conflict is not about winning or losing an argument but rather is about preserving the Bride of Christ.<br />
Pray first, and then exercise personal, verbal discipline. Remember that affirming words reduce defensiveness<br />
and a “gentle answer turns away wrath”.<br />
#5 Narrow the Issue<br />
Although you may be tempted to expand a conflict to include more than the original offense, narrow the issue to<br />
address only the offense.<br />
#6 Be Solution-Oriented<br />
The goal of Matthew 18:15 is reconciliation; focus on understanding what went wrong, why it went wrong, and<br />
how it can be prevented in the future.
#7 Use the Mirror Technique<br />
Very often we don’t hear each other clearly. Repeat back to each other what you hear, asking, “I understand you<br />
to be saying such-and-such. Is that true?”<br />
#8 Be Open to Agreeing to Disagree<br />
Sometimes conflict is resolved by understanding each other, and then “agreeing to disagree agreeably”.<br />
#9 Be Committed to Follow-up<br />
Some relational conflicts cut deeply. Be intentional about investing time rebuilding the relationship once a conflict<br />
has been resolved.<br />
#10 Be Gracious When Others Confront You<br />
Allow others to respectfully ventilate and express their frustrations; do not switch the discussion from the issue<br />
they have with you to an issue you have with them.<br />
Matthew 18:15-17 carries the potential to heal, to restore, to foster reconciliation, and yet it’s a process that is too<br />
often ignored in the local church. Don’t deny conflict exists. Every day you wait to address an offence violates<br />
Ephesians 4:26, which says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”.<br />
(*From notes accompanying a taped conversation between Bill Hybels, Lee Strobel and Russ Robinson, all of<br />
Willow Creek <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Church</strong>.)<br />
Leadership Team Policy Document July 19, 2005<br />
Edited Jan 8, 2008 – change “Panorama” to <strong>Gracepoint</strong><br />
Edited & Amended November 22, 2011 – Arnold Machel, Lois Waterton, Ron Wall, Steve Bains, Jeff Renaud, Randy Plett, Phil Wagler