Bay Area Christian Conciliation Service

Bay Area

Christian Conciliation Service, Inc.

Sonoma, California 95476

707-738-2528 v.

707-933-3016 f.

www.bayareaccs.com

Timothy J. Arensmeier, Executive Director

The Bay Area Christian Conciliation Service, Inc. (CCS), exists to assist believers in Jesus Christ, of all persuasions, in the resolution of disputes which might otherwise end up in the courts of our land. Its history includes having been the product of attorneys in the Los Angeles area who were members of the Christian Legal Society.

In early church history, the apostle Paul was inspired by the Spirit of God to write to the church at Corinth with specific instructions about how to resolve conflict in the church:

^[1] "If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? ^[2] Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ^[3] Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ^[4] Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! ^[5] I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? ^[6] But instead, one brother goes to law against another -- and this in front of unbelievers! ^[7] The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? ^[8] Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers."

-- St. Paul, I Corinthians 6:1- 8, circa 52 A.D., KJV
(Return to History)

In our effort to assist the Lord's people, we will normally use the following means of helping to resolve conflict. Reconciliation is the overall concept and goal. Some definitions are provided for your assistance:

· Conflict Coaching - in which we attempt to help people view the conflict and the "other" party in the light of scripture.

· Mediation - in which we attempt to assist the parties to a conflict in arriving at a resolution with which they will voluntarily live (albeit reluctantly!), and

· Binding Arbitration - which is our least favored means of helping, as it involves our listening to the evidence presented, dismissing the parties and subsequently issuing a "Decision and Award in Arbitration," which is legally binding and if necessary may be turned into an Order of the Court, should one party or the other refuse to abide by the decision of the arbitrator(s).

While viewed as a ministry of the Church, there is a charge for services rendered, and a deposit against that fee is required after an initial thirty minute time of consulting to determine whether or not the CCS will accept the case. Fees are set by the board of directors at:

· $200 per hour, per "side" for corporations and houses of business. Churches, church organizations and para-church organizations are deemed "corporations."

· $100 per hour, per party, in private and domestic matters not involving a corporation or board of directors’ organization.

Normally, if the dispute involves substantial sums of money, or other specifically intricate legal matters, the executive director will appoint a panel of "conciliators," comprised of:

· An attorney who is either a member of the Christian Legal Society or known to have a consistent walk of faith in Jesus Christ and an active participant in their local church,

· a business or professional person with equivalent qualifications both as a believer in Jesus Christ as well as a wise person with knowledge of the area of dispute to which they have been asked for assistance, and

· a pastor, or theologically trained person with a thorough working knowledge of the scriptures as well as some familiarity with the general area of the dispute.

If it is deemed necessary to "hire" a panel, the respective sides will each be billed 1/2 the hourly rate that the CCS pays the conciliators. Prior to the hiring of a panel, their hourly fees will be stated and a statement acknowledging that payment will be split will be signed by both, or all parties to the dispute. Frequently, a matter may be resolved by the efforts of a single conciliator.

For additional information, please read our RULES OF PROCEDURE. Or, you may E-mail our Executive Director, Tim Arensmeier, who has been pursuing Conflict Resolution professionally for over 30 years.

If you wish further information regarding national and international opportunities for training, seminars and opportunities for obtaining speakers, you are invited to visit Peacemaker Ministries which is organized and prayerfully overseen by attorney and friend Ken Sande.

Home | Explanation | History | Med/Arb Agreement | RULES OF PROCEDURE

Web posted June 1998

Last updated: April 27, 2012

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