ARTICLE 1. INTRODUCTION
Da Nang International Fellowship (henceforth referred to as ‘DIF’) strives to be a godly, multicultural, and multi-generational international church that loves God and loves people. We recognise that because we are human beings, misunderstandings and conflicts are inevitable.

Out of our commitment to being others-focused, seeking to build strong relationships, and equipping people for life and eternity, motivated by God’s grace and loving kindness, we are called to address these issues in a way that glorifies Him, builds up His church, and preserves the unity of the Spirit.

Thus, this DIF Issues and Concerns Policy has been developed by the DIF Church Oversight Council (henceforth referred to as ‘the DIF Council’) to outline a comprehensive, biblically based approach to addressing and resolving conflicts and disputes within DIF. This policy outlines DIF’s approach to resolving conflicts and which situations will result in a formal investigation by the DIF Council.

ARTICLE 2.    BIBLICAL FOUNDATION

The following passages form the foundation for this Policy:

• Matthew 18:15-17, 7:3-5
• Ephesians 4:1-6
• Colossians 3:12-15
• Galatians 6:1
• James 1:19-20

ARTICLE 3.    PURPOSE AND SCOPE

As such, this Policy provides a framework for the management and handling of concerns once raised to:

• Ensure Integrity: Provide a fair, confidential, impartial and biblically sound process to impartially and confidentially promote the resolution of disputes (James 2:9; 1 Timothy 5:21).
• Foster Unity: Encourage every person related to an offense to pursue the heart of God and His purposes by addressing conflicts in a Christ-like manner (John 13:34-35; Ephesians 4:1-3; Romans 12:18).
• Facilitate Forgiveness: Help people journey towards forgiveness (Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:32).
• Represent Christ: Rightly reflect the character and heart of God, keeping a strong witness and protecting against Satan’s schemes by handling conflicts in a way that reflects holy love (Ephesians 4:26-27; 1 Peter 5:8).
• Uphold our Duty of Care: To provide affirming and wise pastoral care while protecting the vulnerable. We will always consider our duty of care to our congregation with particular concern for the most vulnerable (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).

This process applies to all attendees, volunteers, and leaders of DIF.

ARTICLE 4.    CLASSIFICATIONS

Conflicts and concerns may arise in various forms, including but not limited to interpersonal conflicts, behavioural issues, and harassment or discrimination. The Bible distinguishes between interpersonal conflicts and addressing misconduct that impinges upon or threatens the spiritual health and effective witness of the Church, including misconduct that persists despite correction. Thus, for the purposes of this Policy, these are defined as:

• Interpersonal Conflicts: These are personal disputes, perceived interpersonal offenses, disagreements or misunderstandings between attendees, volunteers, and leaders of DIF.

• Behavioural Issues: These are concerns about behaviour that may be perceived as unbiblical or unethical by attendees, volunteers, and leaders of DIF.

• Harassment or Discrimination: These pertain to allegations of harassment, discrimination, abuse, or inappropriate behaviour by attendees, volunteers, and leaders of DIF.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Interpersonal Conflicts: Before bringing up a dispute of this nature, we ask individuals first engage in personal reflection and prayer, then directly address their concerns in private with the person involved with a view to resolving their differences using Biblical process outlined in Matthew 18:15-17; James 1:5; Psalm 139:23-24; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 7:2-5; Romans 12:18; and Proverbs 19:11. It might be beneficial for the person initiating this pathway to consider seeking counsel from a wise and unbiased leader (for example, the relevant CORE Leader) or receiving conflict coaching before approaching the other person. If private resolution is not successful, we encourage the principles outlined in Exodus 18 and Matthew 18:15-17, handling conflicts at the local level where possible but escalating more complicated cases to the DIF Council for additional help.

• Reportable Conduct: This is conduct that is a potentially criminal act. Where the matter is considered Reportable Conduct, the DIF Child Protection Policy shall be followed and override this Policy regarding the way a matter is handled.

• Previously Resolved Issues: Unless new information comes to light that directly affects a resolved outcome or pertains to new issues or concerns involving the same parties, previous allegations will not be considered by the DIF Council.

ARTICLE 5.    OVERVIEW OF THE RESPONSE PATHWAY

Per the definition and framework outlined above, the DIF Council (or nominated representative) will use the below response pathway process for responding to a concern:

• Receive Information
• Classification of Information
• Acknowledgement
• Investigation and Immediate Action
• Collation of Findings and Assessment Report
• Determination
• Appeal
• Administrative Processes


ISSUE OR CONCERN
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Initial Step: Speak to the person(s) directly
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Resolved
↓
Unresolved
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Next Step: Complete and submit the Issues and Concerns Form online (goes to the DIF Council)
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Classification of Information: DIF Council coordinates, develops, and activates an Initial Response Plan based on the classification of information received
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Acknowledgement: DIF Council contacts complainant to acknowledge incident and advise that investigation will be launched.

Accused will also be advised of concern raised and investigation initiated.
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Investigation and Immediate Action
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Collation of Findings and Assessment Report
↓
Determination
↓
Resolved
↓
Unresolved
↓
Appeal & Final Determination
↓
Administrative Processes



ARTICLE 6.    DISCIPLINARY AND RESTORATION PROCESS


The precepts and procedures of the Disciplinary and Restoration Process articulated below seek to provide guidance for and facilitate the practical outworking of a Biblical restorative justice approach rather than solely disciplinary (Galatians 6:1).

• Love: As a defining quality of the God we serve, love must be our aim. Divine love is holy and powerful and it always calls us to greater purity, integrity, humility, and service. Love recognises harm done and demands a godly response (1 Peter 4:8, Proverbs 10:12).
• Strengthening the Whole Body: We recognise that when one member is wounded the whole body is diminished (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1).
• Forgiveness, Grace, and Peace: We aim to encourage everyone at DIF to choose forgiveness, extend grace, and pursue peace, recognising that the Scriptural standard is that the Lord would “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12; Romans 5:8, 14:19; Ephesians 4:3, 4:32).

As such, the guiding principles of the Disciplinary and Restoration Process are:

• Repentance: The highest aim of confronting harmful behaviours is to lead us all to awareness, repentance, and a changed life (Proverbs 28:13; Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9).
• Accountability: A formal plan for accountability will be implemented in pursuit of the transformative work of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 10:24). This includes working with an Accountability Team providing Mentoring and potentially Counselling as needed.
• Resolution: If the person(s) has honoured and completed the Disciplinary and Restoration Process and has a testimony of God’s work in their life with the endorsement of the Mentoring Team, the matter will be considered resolved and the person(s) will be eligible to be invited back into volunteer or leadership roles in DIF teams, assigned at the discretion of the Senior Pastors. The complainant(s) and the person(s) who is subject of a concern (POC) will receive in writing (via email) notification of the resolution from the DIF Council member who has acted as ‘point person’ during the process.