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ABOUT UNITY

EDUCATION

Roles of Peace Workers

There are certain considerations that complicate the peacemaking process. Two of these are client expectation and peace worker role. Because the presence of the peace worker often constitutes an intervention, there is a hypersensitivity to his or her presence and the belief that the process will favor one party over another. The peace worker is often perceived as being on the scene to fix the problem, to attribute blame, and to compel people to take ownership of issues.

It is very important that a clear understanding of the peace worker's roles and purpose be established at the beginning of the process and whenever roles may change. Because the peace worker is in relationship to all people within the community, these relationships have specific dimensions and limitations subject to the varying roles of the peace worker. Therefore, there can be confusion and concern among disputants regarding how the peace worker conducts the peacemaking process. Any difference between how the peace worker relates to the minister, board, or congregant can be perceived as bias or favoritism and can undermine the credibility of the peace worker. For this reason, the peace worker must understand and observe the boundaries inherent in each role definition, and be capable of explaining their roles to those who question them.

For example, conflicted parties naturally assume that the peace worker will favor whoever is right. The assumption may set the stage for the expectation that the peace worker will side with a specific party. (While the peace worker does not intend to be an advocate for a particular side, still disputants from each side will seek their understanding and support.) In many instances where the minister is at the center of the conflict, the peace worker will have a difficult time being both supportive of the minister and a mediator to settle differences. Because of the peace worker's neutrality, the minister may feel abandoned or betrayed by the peace worker as he or she shifts from one role to another.

The problems associated with role shifts and client expectations can be addressed by discussing how the process works to support all parties. Confusion and distress can be minimized by continually monitoring participants comfort level and by going the extra mile to make everyone aware of how the peace worker functions with specific groups, and individuals.

Individual peace workers may play specific and varying roles within the peacemaking process. These roles include, but are not limited to:

Coach or mentor to the minister
Facilitator
Educator
Consultant
Mediator
Multiple Roles

Coach or mentor to the minister: Peace workers may function as coaches and supportive colleagues for the minister in a conflicted ministry. This role can also expand to include lay leaders needing support during the peacemaking process.

Facilitator: Peace workers serve as facilitators of meetings, providing leadership for groups or congregations.

Educator: Conflict creates opportunities for learning. Peace workers act as trainers for congregational leaders, giving them insight into the nature of conflict and how systemic and cultural dynamics impact relationships. Training may also include skill development in interpersonal communication, practice in applying new strategies for conflict management, and the examination of congregational norms that influence behavior in conflicts.

Consultant: The peace worker is a process consultant?helping conflicted parties address interpersonal issues and collaborate on reconciliation. The peace worker focuses on the structures of peacemaking and does not recommend outcomes. (For example, rather than evaluate a minister's competence, they would suggest a process for helping the minister and the congregation or board decide whether they can continue together.)

The consulting role is used at higher levels of conflict where multiple issues are involved and where the minister and lay leaders are willing to work with the peace worker.

Mediator: The mediator role is distinct from the consulting role in two aspects:
1) There is agreement over the issues that must be negotiated.

2) The peace worker is directed by the conflicted parties to structure the interaction and exchanges between disputants as well as offer proposals to meet the interests of both parties. The peace worker is actively involved in both process and content of dispute resolution.

The mediator role is used only when issues lend themselves to mediation and parties are willing to allow the peace worker to participate in creating options and opportunities. (Many issues to be addressed are not clearly defined or agreed upon by disputants such as congregational identity, vision, direction, etc.)

Adapted from Intervening in a Church Fight: A Manual for Internal Consultants, by George Parsons, by permission of the Alban Institute, Inc., 7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1250W, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814-3211. Copyright  1989. All rights reserved.