The 204th General Assembly (1992) adopted these Guidelines for its own life and provided them as a tool to congregations and other bodies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to use in times of conflict and disagreement. The Guidelines offer clear, simple suggestions for dealing with differences, transforming them into opportunities for growth, grace and understanding. Though the use of these Guidelines cannot prevent conflict from happening, they will engender an open, helpful, constructive climate where differences can be spoken in love and heard with understanding.