Crisis and Conflict
While crises and conflicts are inevitable in our shared life as a church, we have many possible paths for addressing them—and several ways the Church Center staff can support dioceses and congregations with training, mediation, and other resources.
Reporting clergy misconduct
Title IV of The Episcopal Church’s canons, or governing rules, sets out standards of conduct for all ordained people in the church and provides a process for addressing allegations of misconduct.
Alternative dispute resolution
We offer a variety of resources for addressing conflict within the church. This includes training leaders to understand conflict and possible approaches to it—and providing tools for nurturing authentic dialogue and supportive Christian community. We provide coaching for leaders dealing with conflict situations, and we offer direct mediation for situations of high-level conflict.
Crisis communications support
We help dioceses, congregations, and other church-related organizations prepare for and respond to incidents that involve public engagement and contact with the news media. Areas of expertise include responding to allegations of misconduct by lay and ordained people, conflicts with local municipalities, tragedies, disasters, and more. We offer media training, fielding inbound media inquiries, message development, and more.
Natural disasters
For more than 85 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has partnered with faith and community organizations around the world to advance lasting change in communities affected by injustice, poverty, disaster, and climate change. If your diocesan community has been impacted by disaster and you want to explore ways to serve your neighbors, please get in touch with our colleagues at Episcopal Relief & Development.
