ICORVI Ten Step Process

At the heart of ICORVI Christian Dispute Resolution Ministries is the ICORVI Ten Step Process. The successful implementation of this process is the goal of the Conflict Resolution Ministry Teams. In keeping with Jesus’ command in Matthew 18, Christians should use this process after they have personally gone to the individual with whom they have a conflict and sought reconciliation.

Step 1 >

Caution and Disclaimer

The process described herein is wholly faith driven guided by biblical principles, examples and procedures.  It is based on the author’s religious convictions and should only be used by those who share the same views.

As such, faith-based conflict resolution should not be viewed as the practice of law, mediation, counseling, or some other profession licensed or not licensed.  Instead, it is a fundamental exercise of religious faith.  Conciliators are not acting in a professional or licensed capacity and are not and should not offer legal, accounting, counseling, or other advice other than spiritual guidance.

In addition, the process described is entirely voluntary.  Participants receiving spiritual guidance should not be coerced or pressured in any way to become involved or continue in the process.  Expressed or implied personal or religious threats such as shunning, excommunication, or eternal consequence are not and should not be made in an effort to secure participation.  Rather, each participant’s choices are a matter of his or her own conscience.  Faith alone drives the process.  Nevertheless, religious conviction may drive a church’s response to participants’ choices.

Furthermore, the process should respect governmental laws of confidentiality and privacy.  In accordance with Matthew 18 interaction and increasing participation by third parties should occur in an orderly way.  Every effort should be made to minimize disclosure and embarrassment tempered with spiritual accountability.

Next, the process described is targeted at interpersonal conflict between “believers” of a civil nature only.  For example, it is not designed for criminal cases, cases involving serious moral turpitude, insurance cases, workers compensation cases, or cases in which the laws of governmental authority are involved.  The Apostle Paul’s advice in I Corinthians VI is general guidance.  There may be biblically legitimate exceptions to his prohibition on lawsuits.  Please consult those in spiritual authority over you.

Also, implementation as narrowly understood herein is not “authoritarian.”  Instead, participants subject themselves voluntarily to peer review by others who share similar religious convictions.  Therefore, the process is not designed to be conducted by vocational church leaders, elders, or church staff.  Lay people, preferably trained, form the core resource.  Church leaders play a very different role in the process.

Finally, conciliators, participants and leaders should feel free at any time to seek legal counsel.  In fact, they are instructed to do so.  Faith-based conflict resolution is not a substitute for competent legal or other professional counsel.   Rather, such consultations can aid in the process.  Issues such as confidentiality concerns, statutes of limitations, and other matters mandate expert review.   Existing legal representation and pending litigation should be disclosed and respected.

ICORVI Ministries, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and successors for themselves disclaim any responsibility for misuse or misunderstanding of the process herein.   No assumption of liability is expressed or implied.  You are directed to consult you own attorney and spiritual advisor for final direction.