Mind you, many pastors have lost their jobs because they were not aware of the dynamics of congregational battles. These disputes, which border on contact sports, can easily fool a diligent pastor. What the fighters are really looking for is not victory, but rather someone to blame when this fight gets out of hand. And the fights often do go much further than they are intended. Pastors are fired without severance pay or promise of employment.
Congregations break down and literally never regain a civil atmosphere.
People are sometimes hurt beyond repair and go to their graves bitter and unforgiven. The plan is fairly simple. The synod has just completed its most recent training for mediators. During those six-day sessions, prospective mediators are taught how conflicts work and how people react. Then through role playing and Bible studies, mediators are taught to react as a Christian conciliator, a mediator or an arbitrator.