The CRM (Conflict Reconciliation Ministry) is designed to provide assistance to hurting and conflicted churches. The assistance provided will involve the use of trained consultants in conflict mediation working with churches/church leaders to develop a process for helping churches to work through conflict situations. 

How Does the process work?

A church leader (pastor, deacon chairman, or other church officer) can contact their associational missionary or call the CRM Coordinator at the Baptist Building to initiate conversation about a conflict situation. 

The CRM Coordinator and the Executive Staff will determine if the call or situation needs the CRT’s (Conflict Reconciliation Team) attention. If the answer is in the affirmative, the CRM coordinator and Executive Staff will select two of the CRT members to make an initial contact with the pastor/church. 

The two CRT members will make an initial visit and complete an assessment of the situation. If merited, the CRT members will make a proposal to the group/congregation to help the church work through a reconciliation process. If the conflict situation involves the congregation, the church will be asked to approve the recommended process. 

The two CRT members will make a written report to the CRM Coordinator for resolving the conflict. They will also continue submitting monthly reports to the CRM Coordinator on the progress of the conflict reconciliation. 

What Is Involved in the CRM Process When a Church Votes to Enter an Approved Process? 

• A listening session with two CRT members. 
• Follow-up meetings to discover peacemakers and prayer team. 
• Forming small groups to discuss the issues involved and learn more about the conflict. 
• Reporting back to participants of the individual listening sessions and small group listening sessions. 
• May include teaching sessions around the book, 5 Principles of Unity by Blake Coffee. 
• Developing a resolution with a leadership group. 
• Reporting and discussing resolution with a larger group. 
• Celebrating transformation. 

Note: Every church may not follow these exact steps because every situation is unique. The process will be developed by the CRT members and the appropriate leadership. Conflict reconciliation is a process not a program; thus every solution will be different. 

Who serves on the CRT?

 The CRT (Conflict Reconciliation Team) consists of pastors, church staff, and associational missionaries who have years of experience in pastoral ministry. In addition, team members have received approximately 60 hours of specific conflict resolution training on how to implement the CRM process. Team members also participate in a regular conference calls to review current conflict situations and receive ongoing training.