In order to help you resolve your dispute we offer a wide range of services, including mediation, arbitration and counseling. We also are willing to work with pastors and others in the church that may want to participate, including as counselors and/or advocates. If you have special needs that fail to fall into the categories that follow, do give us a call to see whether we can tailor something to meet your needs.
Mediation
Mediation is a confidential, non-binding alternative dispute resolution process designed to help the parties reach a mutually acceptable resolution. It is my experience that many disputes go unresolved because the parties cannot see a way out. Often, the simple process of a neutral third party listening to both sides leads to the consideration of alternatives to resolution that neither side saw or had considered. Such solutions are frequently a great relief to all participants because they find there really is a way out that is satisfactory to both. Other times, the solutions may not be so joyous, but are nevertheless practical, down to earth resolutions of intractable problems that give each party the opportunity to put the distasteful matter behind them and move forward with their lives. Some times no resolution is reached, but even in those instances, the parties typically depart having a better and more realistic appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of their positions and some ideas on approaches to settlement that might later bear fruit.
Arbitration
Arbitration is closely related to a trial, but there is no jury and no appeal. Also, the formalities of trial can be relaxed or adhered to in accordance with the needs of the participants. Unlike a trial, participants in an arbitration can choose the rules of engagement. For example, Christians can choose to have their dispute resolved in accordance with the Bible. Arbitration is best for those situations where people just want a mutually agreeable neutral third party to resolve their dispute for them.
Counsel
In many instances, people simply need to talk with someone about their dispute and explore ways to handle it that might help them to resolve it. For such folks, we offer counseling services.