The "Matthew 18 Principle" for Christian Schools
Biblical Guidelines for Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution

It is God’s will that we live and work together in harmony. Jesus said, “A new command I give unto you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

A workable and successful process for handling problems between people — in any community — has been given by the Lord in Matthew 18:15-17. Thus, it is known as the “Matthew 18 Principle”:

“Moreover if a brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone; if he will hear you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he will neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto you as an heathen man and a publican.”

Application in a School Setting:

1. When a serious problem arises between people in the school (i.e. parent-teacher, parent-parent, parent-administrator, teacher-administrator, student-teacher, School Board member-administrator, etc.), the parties involved are to meet to seek the Lord’s solution in the matter. Take the matter only to the person(s) who can resolve it, rather than bystanders who are not responsible for taking action to solve it.
2. Guidelines for a “Matthew 18” Meeting:
   — Keep the matter confidential
   — Be humble and submissive
   — Keep the circle small
   — Be quick to forgive
   — Be sure you know all the facts
   — Pray and work for a solution
   — Be straightforward in love
3. Issues which are not resolved at this level are taken to another person, usually the administrator.
4. Beyond third-person mediating, the matter may go to the School Board.
5. If a serious matter remains unresolved at this point, it will be submitted to binding arbitration according to the policies explained in the Appendix.

When this procedure is followed in the right spirit, serious matters will rarely, if ever, necessitate School Board intervention. School authorities will reject complaints about school personnel if the complainer has not followed Matthew 18. The complainer is not to speak critically of the other person to anyone, within or without the school family.