Every pastor can tell a story of a church fight; some pastors have multiple volumes from which to choose. Arguments over the color of carpeting in the fellowship hall is a popular one; anything the youth director does is fair game for criticism, and whenever there is a question about the inappropriate handling of church finances, even the least active member of the congregation demands an explanation. These topics of conflict are not immaterial; any issue is an important issue for somebody. But these examples pale in comparison to an alleged moral failure, a breach in the trust of a pastor, or a criminal action commit- ted by, or against, a member of the church. These serious conflicts threaten to tear the fabric of the body of Christ, and if the conflict is not addressed wisely, honestly…