Conflict can be destructive in a congregation or organization. Once you deal with a major conflict in your group it is not just enough in a church context to talk about it and leave it at that. Healing – deep healing – needs to draw on spiritual resources.
So plan to bring these spiritual resources before the community of faith with a special worship service. Its order and content will focus on how to foster reconciliation and forgiveness. This helps people move on in a positive way – resourced by God to do so.
The following Order of Worship is one that I use. Make adjustments to reflect your traditional order of worship, your denomination or culture. Involve as many people as possible by having laity read Scripture, read prayers, etc.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
FOR A SERVICE OF HEALING AND RECONCILIATION
Call to worship:
*Opening Hymn: “The Church’s One Foundation” UMH* 545 (or other song that reminds people of their common ground)
Pastoral Prayer
Children’s message on forgiveness
Offering (special music)
Doxology
*Scripture: Exodus 3 – 4:17 (on the call of Moses) or Ephesians 4 (Unity of the Body)
Message
Statements of Gratitude and Affirmation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
ALL:
We thank you, O Lord,
for all the ways you have blessed us here at (name of church)
You have given us gifted leaders
You have blessed us with a community of faith
You have endowed our lives with goodness
You have given us the Holy Scriptures
But most of all,
you have given us the gift of your Son Jesus Christ
and the healing power of your Holy Spirit.
For all these blessings and more,
we praise and thank you.
Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen
Statements of Regret and Confession
Prayer of Confession
LEADER
If we claim that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
PEOPLE
But if we confess our sins,
God who is faithful and just
will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
LEADER
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor…
Moments of Silence
PEOPLE
Merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
maker of all things; judge of all people:
we acknowledge the many sins and failures
that we have committed
by thought, word, and action
against each other and against you.
We earnestly repent.
We are deeply sorry for our damaging words
and our destructive behaviors.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be,
so that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways, giving you the glory.
Amen
LEADER
Hear the good news!
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,
that we might be dead to sins
and be alive to all that is good.
In the name of Jesus Christ, embrace God’s
forgiveness and peace.
Signs of God’s Peace (handshakes or embraces shared with the words: The Peace of Christ be with you! Response: And also with you!)
Holy Communion (Pastor)
Annointing (Lay leader) (Make the sign of the cross with oil on people’s right hands with the words: (Name), live as a forgiven child of God)
Closing Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” UMH 557
Benediction/Sending
- UMH refers to the United Methodist Hymnal
This Order of Worship is especially meaningful after your congregation has worked through a serious conflict and people have owned their part in the tension and agree to work together in peace.