AN ECCLESIASTICAL POLICY AND A PROCESS
FOR REVIEW OF MINISTERIAL STANDING
of the
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF RHODE ISLAND
DEFINITIONS:
Certification of Ordination: In our tradition, ordination is granted by the local congregation working with the partner churches. The denomination does not ordain; it certifies (also referred to as, recognizes) ordinations of a local church, or from other denominations. A person may voluntarily give up the certification (recognition) of his or her ordination. The denomination may choose to withdraw certification (recognition) of ordination either for cause or after a period of inactivity.
Professional Church Leader: All employees or former employees (whether full-time or part-time – lay, licensed, ordained, or non-ordained) of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island currently residing in Rhode Island who are or were professionally engaged in local church, regional or national ministries (including but not limited to: Pastoral Ministry, Directors of Christian Education, Worship Leaders, Music Ministry, Youth Ministry, Family Ministry, and other specialized ministries) are understood to be Professional Church Leaders (PCL’s).
Restoration: Restoration is the process of supervision and evaluation that returns a PCL to certified ordained ministry. SCOM designs the process for each situation and individual. The PCL must willingly cooperate and successfully complete the process for his/her ordination to be certified again.
The Region: The process of certification of ordination in the denomination is decentralized; a Region acts on behalf of the whole denomination in certifying (recognizing), refusing to certify (recognize), allowing certification (recognition) to lapse, or withdrawing certification (recognition) of ordination. There is, in general practice, reciprocity among ABC bodies with all Regions and National Boards agreeing to accept the process as applied in other partner Regions.
Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry (SCOM) is that part of the Region structure which is charged with the responsibility for certification (and withdrawal of certification) of ordination. They may also censure Professional Church Leaders in cases which do not involve ordained PCLs.
Review Hearing is the process by which allegations against an individual are reviewed and a decision is rendered either for or against the individual. This is not a criminal or civil process; rather, it is a church process by which the churches are seeking to order their life together under the leading of God’s spirit.
Censure is an official written statement of SCOM’s disapproval of a behavior as unbefitting one who is serving or who has served as a PCL of the American Baptist
Churches/USA. It is offered as an indication that further similar conduct is unacceptable and, where applicable, could lead to suspension or withdrawal of his/her certification of ordination.
PREAMBLE:
The American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, seeking to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, acknowledge that professional misconduct may occur within our churches. As clergy and lay persons, we have a responsibility to minister to the needs for justice, forgiveness and reconciliation of persons who are involved in situations of misconduct. This concern extends to the person(s) and congregation who has been harmed by the misconduct.
We seek to do this as faithful followers of Christ who acknowledge that PCL’s play a role in the lives of others which carries with it a high degree of trust placed in them by those with whom they minister. This responsibility implies that PCL’s are trusted to not intentionally use another person in ways that harm the other and benefit the PCL. This involves setting appropriate boundaries and seeking help to deal with the temptation to cross those boundaries. This responsibility also implies that PCL’s who have been involved in sexual misconduct have an obligation to acknowledge that misconduct and to accept the consequences of their actions.
Civil authorities have created statutes that directly impact all churches, PCL’s and denominational bodies. Every attempt will be made to cooperate with criminal and civil investigations that involve a PCL. However, churches have the right and the obligation to protect themselves from excessive interference by civil authorities.
We hope that any professional misconduct by a PCL will be reported to the Region. We are particularly mindful that all sexual misconduct, including any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favor, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal or physical contact or communication of a sexual nature will also be reported.
We encourage anyone who knows or suspects that a PCL has been involved in sexual misconduct to report that information to the Region Executive Minister, who will attempt to resolve the situation promptly.
Continue Reading
DEFINITIONS:
Certification of Ordination: In our tradition, ordination is granted by the local congregation working with the partner churches. The denomination does not ordain; it certifies (also referred to as, recognizes) ordinations of a local church, or from other denominations. A person may voluntarily give up the certification (recognition) of his or her ordination. The denomination may choose to withdraw certification (recognition) of ordination either for cause or after a period of inactivity.
Professional Church Leader: All employees or former employees (whether full-time or part-time – lay, licensed, ordained, or non-ordained) of the American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island currently residing in Rhode Island who are or were professionally engaged in local church, regional or national ministries (including but not limited to: Pastoral Ministry, Directors of Christian Education, Worship Leaders, Music Ministry, Youth Ministry, Family Ministry, and other specialized ministries) are understood to be Professional Church Leaders (PCL’s).
Restoration: Restoration is the process of supervision and evaluation that returns a PCL to certified ordained ministry. SCOM designs the process for each situation and individual. The PCL must willingly cooperate and successfully complete the process for his/her ordination to be certified again.
The Region: The process of certification of ordination in the denomination is decentralized; a Region acts on behalf of the whole denomination in certifying (recognizing), refusing to certify (recognize), allowing certification (recognition) to lapse, or withdrawing certification (recognition) of ordination. There is, in general practice, reciprocity among ABC bodies with all Regions and National Boards agreeing to accept the process as applied in other partner Regions.
Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry (SCOM) is that part of the Region structure which is charged with the responsibility for certification (and withdrawal of certification) of ordination. They may also censure Professional Church Leaders in cases which do not involve ordained PCLs.
Review Hearing is the process by which allegations against an individual are reviewed and a decision is rendered either for or against the individual. This is not a criminal or civil process; rather, it is a church process by which the churches are seeking to order their life together under the leading of God’s spirit.
Censure is an official written statement of SCOM’s disapproval of a behavior as unbefitting one who is serving or who has served as a PCL of the American Baptist
Churches/USA. It is offered as an indication that further similar conduct is unacceptable and, where applicable, could lead to suspension or withdrawal of his/her certification of ordination.
PREAMBLE:
The American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island, seeking to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, acknowledge that professional misconduct may occur within our churches. As clergy and lay persons, we have a responsibility to minister to the needs for justice, forgiveness and reconciliation of persons who are involved in situations of misconduct. This concern extends to the person(s) and congregation who has been harmed by the misconduct.
We seek to do this as faithful followers of Christ who acknowledge that PCL’s play a role in the lives of others which carries with it a high degree of trust placed in them by those with whom they minister. This responsibility implies that PCL’s are trusted to not intentionally use another person in ways that harm the other and benefit the PCL. This involves setting appropriate boundaries and seeking help to deal with the temptation to cross those boundaries. This responsibility also implies that PCL’s who have been involved in sexual misconduct have an obligation to acknowledge that misconduct and to accept the consequences of their actions.
Civil authorities have created statutes that directly impact all churches, PCL’s and denominational bodies. Every attempt will be made to cooperate with criminal and civil investigations that involve a PCL. However, churches have the right and the obligation to protect themselves from excessive interference by civil authorities.
We hope that any professional misconduct by a PCL will be reported to the Region. We are particularly mindful that all sexual misconduct, including any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favor, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal or physical contact or communication of a sexual nature will also be reported.
We encourage anyone who knows or suspects that a PCL has been involved in sexual misconduct to report that information to the Region Executive Minister, who will attempt to resolve the situation promptly.
Continue Reading
