Behavioral Covenant
Adopted by First Congregational Church in 2023
As members and friends of First Congregational Church of Sioux Falls, we strive to create an environment of harmony and joy. We understand healthy conflict is an opportunity to grow in faith and in person. Healthy conflict is possible when we value our differences and when we practice civil and faithful boundaries with one another. This idea is just as important today as it was when our church was founded in 1873.
Our behavioral covenant answers the question, “How will we behave when we don’t understand each other and when we don’t agree?”
With God’s love as our guide, we as friends, members, pastors, and staff promise
to listen with an open and non-judgmental mind and try as hard to understand as to be understood.
to speak from our own journey.
to accept personal responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
to know that loving and respecting each other doesn’t mean we have to agree with each other.
to choose the path of forgiveness.
to walk with our leaders.
to discover what is best for our church family as a whole, not what may be best for individuals or for some small group in the church.
When conflicts arise, we will work to restore relationships.
1. Restoring relationships begins by having a conversation with the person whom one has a concern.
2. If restoration does not occur after meaningful efforts by the parties, continue the
conversation by including a member of the Church Council who will serve as an
impartial party.
3. If continuing conversation with a Church Council member does not restore the
relationship, it is then appropriate to include the moderator.
All conversations to restore a relationship should be kept confidential by all parties involved unless there are safety concerns. If any party perceives a threat to the safety of themselves or another, the moderator should be immediately informed.