Addressing Offences

One of the more recurrent tasks a minister may be called upon for, is to address offences. People come to a minister to address an offence -- to put things right -- often with the offender present (typically with the offender present, for me). I have followed a few principles:

1. Act swiftly – delay brings peril and complication.

2. Don't be intimidated – say, because it's a CEO, or someone in a rage.

3. Don't overestimate the task – one is merely a witness and servant of God. 

4. Don't just talk about it – enter the situation and do something. 

5. Don't shun the details. 

OBSERVATION: All of these may be done the very opposite way. On the last point, some ministers may prefer to focus only on general issues without particulars – say in cases of infidelity, or corruption, or forgiveness. I prefer (but don't insist) on resolving the details.