Dispute Advisory Service

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We are here

To equip you to face conflict and transform relationships.
To accompany you through conflict on the journey towards resolution.

Conflict is a perfectly normal feature of life

but it can cause great stress whether at work or between neighbours or inside the family. Perhaps we should not be surprised, then, that conflict also occurs among the people who belong to the Christian church. However if that conflict worsens it can be a source of intense disappointment, given the gospel of love which lies at the heart of our faith.

What is this service?

A safe place to bring conflicts and problems that we might have with each other in a church setting. It offers an accessible, voluntary and confidential process that helps to resolve disputes in a broad range of situations and at all levels in the church community, including ministers, churchwardens, office staff and congregation members. It is supported by the Diocese but is independent of it.

Who is it for?

It is for anyone in a church community: clergy or lay, employed, a volunteer or a congregational member. They might be in conflict with someone else, maybe over roles, responsibilities, management of change or reorganisation; or over differences of belief and worship. There might be issues of discrimination, harassment, abuse of authority or bullying.

Talking to us can help you find ways of managing these or other difficult situations.

How do I access it?

Make a phone call or email one of our trained advisers, who will contact you if you leave a message.

How does it work?

With the Adviser you will explore the issue that is causing you concern and discuss how, when or whether to contact the other person in the conflict.

There is a wide range of routes to resolution which include: discussions with appropriate people in the parish or Diocese; the Clergy Counselling Service, the Support in Ministry scheme, Mediation, support through the Clergy Discipline process or specific trainings.

Once you have consented to a proposed route to seek a solution, the Adviser will refer your situation to an appropriate person or service and will continue to support you through the process.

The process is confidential and every step will be with your consent.

We believe that making peace is intrinsic to the gospel of Jesus Christ.