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Reconciling Battling Members

Just as a doctor can resort to ice packs for a sprained ankle and antibiotics for an infection, so I can bring factors to bear in a dispute that will encourage the disputing parties to seek their own healing.
—Edward Dobson

One young man in our church, a fairly new believer employed by another member in our church, resigned his job with the understanding that the company owed him a sizeable sum of money.

Months passed, and the owner, a long-standing member of our church, refused to pay. Finally, rather than sue, John lodged a complaint with the Restoration and Healing Committee of our church. After six months of mediation, both parties agreed to a settlement of 20 percent of the original sum.

Months passed, and we were told that the owner of the company would not pay up. So the church board got involved again. The committee voted to discipline the company owner, barring him from ministry in church and placing his membership on hold.

Saturday night at 10 P.M. he called me at home and demanded ...

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March
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