What is Biblical Mediation?

  1. Biblical Mediation is an opportunity for all parties to fully discuss matters in dispute, understand each other,  explore each other’s part in the conflict, and resolve personal issues and mutual solutions in a healthy and biblically faithful manner.   
  2. It is a formal and constructive dialogue leading towards healthy and voluntary resolution, in accordance with wise principles from the Bible and peacemaking assistance from an ICC Certified Christian Conciliator™.
  3. Discussion and conclusions of mediation proceedings are confidential pursuant to Rule 16 of The Rules of Procedure for Christian Conciliation, and are treated as settlement negotiations and are not admissible for any purpose in a court of law, except as provided in Rule 16.
  4. A mediation participant is called a “party” and only party(s) who have agreed by contract to have a confidential discussion are included in the process. 
  5. Parties may be accompanied by attorneys and pastors, if desired. The role and participation of a non-party in the mediation is governed by Rule 13 and 17 in the Rules of Procedure. The parties are encouraged to be the primary speakers in the mediation, with the attorney or pastor providing a role of giving private counsel and advice, but not serving as the party’s advocate or spokesperson.
  6. Discussion and conclusions of mediation proceedings are confidential pursuant to Rule 16 of the Rules of Procedure, and are treated as settlement negotiations and are not admissible for any purpose in a court of law, except as provided in Rule 16.
  7. During mediation, the parties retain control over the final outcome, and the mediators act only as facilitators. Agreements reached through mediation may be documented in legal contracts or stipulations.

Detailed Explanation of the Mediation Process

The Institute for Christian Conciliation™ has a longstanding history of peacemaking based on the principles of biblical peacemaking outlined in the Rules of Procedure for Christian Conciliation™.  For almost two decades, thousands have witnessed reconciliation of relationships and the resolution of legal disputes using the principles established by the ICC. In the last decade, some biblical peacemaking organizations have created additional programs based on ICC’s principles.

The ICC Biblical Mediation Process

The ICC biblical mediation process goes through at least six definable steps outlined using the acronym GOSPEL to highlight an emphasis on the centrality of Christ in every phase of the process.

Greeting and Ground Rules — The mediator welcomes the participants and orients them to the process.  This stage typically includes a short devotion and opening prayer, led by the mediator.

Opening Statements — Each participant provides a brief initial statement of what they hope to accomplish during mediation.

Storytelling — Participants communicate their stories and concerns, with each person having opportunity to fully explain their perspective, both on what has happened and on how they believe matters should be resolved.

Problem Clarification — The information presented during storytelling is organized in terms of issues to be resolved.  In most instances, issues originally set forth in the Statement of Issues are confirmed, but additional issues may also be identified during this phase and added to the agenda.

Explore Solutions — The mediator assists the parties as they search together for specific solutions to each issue, tackling them one at a time.  Issues may be relational in nature, as well as substantive, involving obligations and responsibilities.

Lead to Agreement — Participants work with the mediator to seek personal reconciliation and arrive at agreements that settle unresolved substantive concerns.

The above steps in the ICC biblical mediation process are the general sequence for the mediation. Each step, however, may require different lengths of time, and there may situations where new facts and additional story telling may be identified during the problem identification or exploring solutions steps, requiring a revisiting of a prior step.

During the course of the mediation, the mediator may meet with the parties separately in a private meeting (referred to as a caucus).