Biblical Dispute Resolution

Route: /policies/dispute-resolution · Full text: Terms and Agreement § 27 (that section controls)

Short version (footer and in-app): LikeFaithLink members agree not to take each other, or LikeFaithLink, to court over disputes about the Service. Instead we follow Matthew 18. First, talk privately. Then bring one or two witnesses. Then take it to each person's church leadership. If that doesn't resolve it, each side chooses a pastor and the two pastors decide. If they can't agree, they add a third pastor or arbitrator, and the panel's decision is final and binding. Crimes, abuse, child-safety issues, threats, and emergencies always go straight to the authorities, and nothing here discourages reporting them. Emergency court orders and claims the law won't allow to be arbitrated are also excluded. Members who don't share our faith may choose a neutral, secular arbitrator instead. You may opt out of binding arbitration within 30 days of joining.

In-app one-liner (at sign-up): Disputes are resolved the Matthew 18 way and, if needed, by binding pastoral arbitration, not in court. Crimes and abuse always go to the authorities.

Why this is our model (plain-language explainer)

"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" — James 4:1 (KJV)

Conflict happens, even among believers. When it does, the world's usual answer is a lawsuit. That can be expensive, slow, public, and hard on relationships. Scripture gives believers a different path, and we've built LikeFaithLink around it.

1. Go to your brother or sister first.

"Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:" — Proverbs 25:8–9 (KJV)

"Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." — Matthew 5:24 (KJV)

Most misunderstandings end with an honest, private conversation. That's always step one.

2. Bring one or two others, and then the church. If a private talk doesn't work, Jesus told us to bring witnesses, and then to "tell it unto the church" (Matthew 18:15–17). Wise, spiritually mature people can often help both sides hear each other.

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." — Galatians 6:1 (KJV)

3. Let wise believers decide, instead of going to court.

"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?" — 1 Corinthians 6:1 (KJV)

Paul told the church at Corinth to bring disputes to wise believers rather than to court. Paul even asked a "true yokefellow" to help two women in the church come to agreement:

"I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." — Philippians 4:2–3 (KJV)

That's why, if needed, each side chooses a pastor, and the pastors decide. If they can't agree, they bring in a third.

4. It's fair, and it has limits.

• Both sides are heard, can bring evidence, and can have a lawyer if they want.
• Arbitrators must be pastors (or, for the third seat, a qualified arbitrator) in good standing with no conflicts, and they must disclose any connections.
• The pastors can't take away rights or remedies the law would give you.
• LikeFaithLink is bound by this process too, and we pay the arbitration costs when the dispute is with us, as described in the Terms.
• This process is never used to hide wrongdoing. Crimes, abuse, child-safety concerns, threats, and emergencies go to the authorities, and anyone can always report to the police or a government agency.
• If you don't share our faith or don't want a religious process, you may choose a neutral, secular arbitrator instead.

5. Others have walked this path. Christians have used "Christian conciliation" for decades, following rules first published by Peacemaker Ministries and now maintained by the Institute for Christian Conciliation. Other faith communities, including Jewish and Muslim communities, have their own arbitration traditions. Courts often enforce these agreements when people clearly agree to them. We've told you about this process up front, with a separate checkbox, so that you can make a clear choice.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." — Matthew 5:9 (KJV)

Request a Matthew 18 resolution: use "Request dispute resolution" in the app or email disputes@likefaithlink.com. To report a crime, abuse, or a safety issue, use "Report" or call 911.