ICF Ombudsman
Independent handling of complaints and conflicts
We are a family held together by unconditional love, leadership through service and genuine unity.
Our pursuit of that vision can be disrupted by conflict and by the abuse of authority. That is why we want to identify and address unhealthy developments early. For this reason ICF has established an independent, external and non-directive ombudsman function.
The ombudsman helps us create a healthy environment in which we resolve disputes appropriately. This contact person for difficult conflicts is part of a multi-level conflict and crisis management concept. The ombudsman complements existing structures and provides protection and safety for people in our churches, plus a clear process for handling serious conflicts and complaints.
Our principles
The ICF ombudsman function was set up as an independent complaint and conflict resolution service for ICF churches, their visitors, staff, volunteers, pastors and external parties (including organisations). It follows these principles:
Our principles
What the ombudsman offers and how they proceed
The ombudsman offers a complaint and conflict resolution service open to everyone in ICF and around it. This includes:
Receiving complaints
Requests and complaints can be submitted by pastors, staff, volunteers, third parties, visitors or public bodies on matters such as conflicts with leaders in ICF churches or within the ICF Movement, manipulation, or the handling of finances and donations.
Conflict counselling
After a free online analysis there is the option of a confidential conversation with the ombudsman about possible steps. Further steps are only taken after consulting the person who made the request.
Conflict coaching
If, after conflict counselling, the person wishes to resolve the conflict themselves, online conflict coaching by a mediator is available on request. Conflict coaching and mediation are charged directly by the ombudsman.
Mediation meeting
After consulting the parties involved, the ombudsman arranges a mediation meeting with everyone concerned, facilitated by a neutral mediator with the aim of clarifying the conflict.
Our ombudsman
Gerhard Führer
Registered mediator, Medius GmbH
He is married with two grown-up children, lectures on mediation and conflict management at the University of Graz, and is the inventor of the MEDIUS Conflict Navigator.
You can fill in the form in Czech, English or German. If there is a language barrier, an interpreter will be arranged for the mediation.
Frequently asked questions
The ICF ombudsman function was set up as an independent complaint and conflict resolution service for ICF churches, their visitors, staff, volunteers, pastors and external parties including organisations. The ombudsman provides a confidential, protected environment for adults, young people and children.
Requests and complaints can be submitted by pastors, staff, volunteers, third parties, visitors or public bodies on matters such as conflicts with leaders in ICF churches or within the ICF Movement, manipulation, or the handling of finances and donations.
Conflicts between visitors or complaints of a personal nature do not fall under the ombudsman’s remit.
The ombudsman is not responsible for general organisational questions or concerns about ICF’s organisational structure (provisions, statutes, guidelines, church regulations). Such questions are passed on to the administrative leadership of the ICF Movement.
On receiving a request or complaint, the person concerned receives a free access key so they can analyse the situation using the online conflict navigator. The proposed resolution and next steps can then be discussed with the ombudsman in an online meeting.
The matter is handled after consultation by phone or electronically with the parties involved (pastor, leadership, staff of the church concerned or the ICF Movement). Where possible, and with the consent of the person affected, in-person meetings with all parties are held, moderated by a neutral mediator.
From submitting the request through to evaluating the online analysis, no costs are charged. If the person wishes to use coaching to think through their next steps, that is charged.
If mediation is the appropriate procedure, the ombudsman agrees this with the parties involved. This step is free for the person making the request. After a preliminary phase and with the consent of all parties, a mediation agreement is proposed. Costs are settled according to that agreement only once all parties have agreed to it.