American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island
Process for Review of Ministerial Standing
The Process for Review of Ministerial Standing contains the policy and procedures for the review of ministerial standing of professional church leaders affiliated with American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island (ABCORI, or the Region).
PREAMBLE:
Strengthening the spiritual health and vitality of its constituent churches and their ministerial leaders is an important role of ABCORI and its professional staff. Programs, services, and pastoral care are ways in which this central concern is expressed for local churches and their professional leadership. Care for professional church leaders and the congregations they serve is an ongoing process. When issues of compatibility between a congregation and professional church leader emerge, those issues are handled within the Region’s ongoing service of care toward its churches and their leadership.
However, when there are allegations and/or evidence that a professional church leader’s conduct is inconsistent with the Region’s standards of personal and professional conduct, the Code of Ethics for Ministerial Leaders of American Baptist Churches, and/or legal statues, a formal process will be initiated to review the ministerial standing of the professional church leader against whom the allegations or evidence has been brought.
This review must be seen as part of an ongoing process of care. Its primary concern is for justice, reconciliation, and healing for both the congregation and the individual(s) involved.
It must be stressed that this is an ecclesiastical process, not a legal process. However, mandated reporting will be followed prior to and during this process. Specifically, any allegations involving the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or elders must, by Rhode Island law, be reported. In cases of any other allegation of criminal activity, the claimant will determine if they wish to make a criminal complaint.
PROCEDURES:
The ABCORI Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry (SCOM) has the responsibility for the Region’s Process for Review of Ministerial Standing. All participants shall exercise great care to assure that the allegations and the process remain confidential unless some decision is reached which requires notification. Violation of this confidentiality is itself misconduct.
A review of ministerial standing is called for when there are allegations and/or evidence of:
Click here to download complete process.
PREAMBLE:
Strengthening the spiritual health and vitality of its constituent churches and their ministerial leaders is an important role of ABCORI and its professional staff. Programs, services, and pastoral care are ways in which this central concern is expressed for local churches and their professional leadership. Care for professional church leaders and the congregations they serve is an ongoing process. When issues of compatibility between a congregation and professional church leader emerge, those issues are handled within the Region’s ongoing service of care toward its churches and their leadership.
However, when there are allegations and/or evidence that a professional church leader’s conduct is inconsistent with the Region’s standards of personal and professional conduct, the Code of Ethics for Ministerial Leaders of American Baptist Churches, and/or legal statues, a formal process will be initiated to review the ministerial standing of the professional church leader against whom the allegations or evidence has been brought.
This review must be seen as part of an ongoing process of care. Its primary concern is for justice, reconciliation, and healing for both the congregation and the individual(s) involved.
It must be stressed that this is an ecclesiastical process, not a legal process. However, mandated reporting will be followed prior to and during this process. Specifically, any allegations involving the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or elders must, by Rhode Island law, be reported. In cases of any other allegation of criminal activity, the claimant will determine if they wish to make a criminal complaint.
PROCEDURES:
The ABCORI Standing Committee on Ordained Ministry (SCOM) has the responsibility for the Region’s Process for Review of Ministerial Standing. All participants shall exercise great care to assure that the allegations and the process remain confidential unless some decision is reached which requires notification. Violation of this confidentiality is itself misconduct.
A review of ministerial standing is called for when there are allegations and/or evidence of:
- Personal or professional misconduct of an ethical, sexual, or financial nature;
- Violation of expectations the church has about ethical behavior for its professional leaders, as articulated in Code of Ethics for Ministerial Leaders of American Baptist Churches; or
- Legal action that would bring a church into disrepute.
Click here to download complete process.
