Author: Synod Resource Center
Company: Northwest Synod of Wiscosin

Grievance Resolution for Members and Staff

Misunderstanding or conflict may occur in any organization. Therefore, it is important to resolve relational concerns in a fair, equitable and timely manner for the benefit of all involved parties and to promote overall harmony within the congregation. We the Congregation Council of Bethesda Lutheran Church recommend the following steps to resolve concerns, promote forgiveness and restore harmonious relationships. These steps are based on principles presented in Matthew 18:15-18 and should be followed in the spirit of Christian love.

STEP ONE: In Christian love and care speak directly with the individual (congregational member or staff) about your concern or grievance.
A. Clearly identify the specific issue and why it is a concern to you. 
B. Enter dialog and offer suggestions to resolve your concern.
C. Reach closure in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
If you fail to reach a resolution to the concern after fully exhausting the opportunities offered in step one proceed to step two.

STEP TWO: If your relational concern involves a member of Bethesda staff, meet with this person together with their supervisor and/or the Bethesda Staff Support Committee.
A. Clearly identify the specific issue and why it is a concern .
B. It is the responsibility of the supervisor or committee to fully explore the issues of concern to determine relevant facts.
C. It is the responsibility of the supervisor or committee to deal with the concern as soon as practical, ordinarily within five days.
D. It is the responsibility of the supervisor or committee to communicate suggestions to resolve the concern directly to the individuals involved.
E. It is the responsibility of the supervisor or committee to make written documentation of the concerns, their substantiation, and all recommendations aimed at resolution.
F. Reach closure in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
If the supervisor and/or Staff Support Committee fail to resolve the matter they should take responsibility to bring issue to step three.

STEP THREE: If the grievance remains unresolved it should be referred by the supervisor or Staff Support Committee of the Congregation Council of Bethesda Lutheran Church.
A. The supervisor or Staff Support Committee should present their written documents relating to the issue.
B. The individual concerned should clearly identify the specific issue and why it is a concern.
C. It will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to fully explore a means to resolve the issue.
D. It will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to deal with the concern in a timely a manner, ordinarily within five days.
E. It will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to make written documentation of the concern, its findings, related matter, and its recommendations for resolution.
F. To bring the matter to closure in the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
If the Executive Committee fails to resolve the matter they should take responsibility to bring issue to step four.

STEP FOUR: If the matter is still not resolved, the Executive Committee may refer the issue to the Congregation Council which will review the entire process to date and further use its good offices to bring the matter to closure. As a last resort a congregational meeting may be called by the congregation council and if necessary a congregational vote may be taken to bring final recommendations for reconciliation to closure to this issue.