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GUIDELINES FOR CONGREGATIONAL WITHDRAWAL
FROM THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT

individual case. Rather, it is intended to outline broad parameters in which it is
hoped that congregations and districts can find suggestions that will help us
work toward reconciliation and satisfactory resolution within our understanding
of community. The goal of the following process is to find God's truth together in
a respectful Christian community. It is hoped that any congregation that feels led
to disagree with Annual Conference decisions should assume a special
responsibility to initiate extended dialog with others in the denomination about its
choice. In so doing, the congregation should not automatically assume the role
of prophet, but rather, try to model and encourage a spirit of finding the mind of
Christ amid diversity in discernment.

B. GUIDANCE TO THE DISTRICT
There is an expectation that within the context of ongoing district ministries and
congregational relationships, awareness of disagreement with a specific Annual
Conference action might emerge early on. District leadership should anticipate
potential congregational disagreement with any particular Annual Conference
action before receiving official notice in the form of a letter from the congregation,
and review district procedures for processing congregational disagreements.
Once official notice is received, the district is encouraged to review the matter
and determine a response as soon as possible. Response measures might be
to:
▪ send a letter of response from the district executive, the district
board chair, board commission chair, district Standing Committee
member, or some other appropriate individual;
▪ schedule a visit to the congregation for respectful dialog,

discussion, and interpretation;

▪ appoint a group or committee to meet with the congregation to
discuss the disagreement;
▪ utilize the skills of the district Shalom Team and other reconciliation
workers to give guidance and facilitate dialog;
▪ call for a day of prayer and fasting to seek the guidance of the Holy
Spirit and for appropriate spiritual conduct;
▪ facilitate a forum at which the congregation in disagreement might
present its position or understanding;
▪ consult with resource persons outside the district, including mediation
leaders, On Earth Peace staff members, Mission and Ministry Board
members, Annual Conference officers, Leadership Team, and others;
▪ bring the matter to the district conference only if all attempts at
reconciliation have proven unsuccessful or unsatisfactory, and if
the issue is such that it represents a threat to the overall unity and
effective ministry of the district. Specific recommendations to the
district conference might include
1. a statement acknowledging that the congregation in question
is “out of harmony” with the denomination on the particular

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