Mid-Atlantic District
Church of the Nazarene
(410) 772-7300
FAX (410)
772-7333
Email:
ds@manaz.org
6395*Dobbin
Road,
Suite* 204
* Columbia,
MD
Kenneth L. Mills, District Superintendent
THE PROCESS OF RESPONSE,
REHABILITATION, RECONCILIATION,
AND RESTORATION
of the
CLERGY
ROUGH DRAFT
Edition: June 2004
With Credits to the Committee on Rehabilitation and Restoration of Ministers
General Assembly, Church of the Nazarene
June 22-27, 1997
Page 1
The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene states:
The object of church discipline is not punishment of offenders, but vindication of the
truth, purification of the church, warning of the careless, and reformation and salvation of
the guilty. Members of the church who do violence to the General or Special Rules, or
who willfully and continuously violate their membership vows, should be dealt with
kindly yet faithfully, according to the grievousness of their offences. Holiness of heart
and life being the New Testament standard, the Church of the Nazarene insists upon a
clean ministry and requires that those who bear its credentials as ministers be orthodox in
doctrine and holy in life. Thus the purpose of the discipline of a minister is not punitive
or retributive but is to determine the ministerial standing and church relations of a
minister accused of misconduct. (Manuel Paragraph # 500)
I.
Objectives
1.
The primary objective of the Mid-Atlantic District in addressing the subjects of response,
rehabilitation, reconciliation, and restoration is to reduce the number who are lost to the
clergy and to the service of our Lord and the Church as a result of their misconduct, and
to protect others from the violation of trust relationships.
2.
Another objective is to strengthen the relationship of trust and confidence which exists
between clergy and the congregations in the Mid-Atlantic District Church of the
Nazarene.
3.
To more clearly define an effective process of responding to evidence of misconduct by
one in a position of trust and /or authority.
4.
A final objective is to adequately protect, give counsel, and seek healing for those who
have been abused or wronged.
II.
Working Presuppositions
1.
The ultimate objective of rehabilitation is the rehabilitation of the person as our Christian
responsibility and when possible the restoration to the ministry (see Manual paragraph
500).
2.
The Christian duty of the church is to acknowledge her concern for victims who have
been injured in the context of moral malfeasance and show concern for them.
3.
Rehabilitation assumes that the minister is an elder or deacon who has demonstrated a
spirit of repentance and restitution and is willing to submit to a process of discipline and
rehabilitation as outlined by the Advisory Board of the Mid-Atlantic District Church of
the Nazarene.
4.
The principle cause for disciplinary action under consideration is the immoral conduct on
the part of a minister, generally referred to as conduct unbecoming a minister (Manual
paragraph 502.1). Other causes of disciplinary action may be doctrinal disloyalty and
illegal use of finances also require the need for rehabilitation (Manual paragraph 502.1;
435.5; 415).
Page 2
5.
As God=s representative, the minister assumes a position of spiritual authority, perceived
power, and assumed trust. It is the responsibility of the minister to vigilantly guard
relationships and behaviors so that this trust is not betrayed.
6.
For the abused, both the wrongfulness of the abuse and the reality of their pain needs to
be acknowledged. A compassionate response to the Awronged@ should include
emotional, spiritual and practical support, restitution in some form, steps to prevent
further abuse to the “other person involved” and to others, and encouragement in the
“other person involved” own process of healing.
III.
Critical Issues Involving the Minister
1.
To define clearly the guilt or innocence of the person.
2.
To consider differences in circumstances such as confirmed behavior revealing repeated
patterns, a one time situation, or being victimized.
3.
To consider the impact of psychological aberrations, compulsive behavior, and sexual
orientations.
4.
To determine how the loss of credentials affect the future exercise of ministry.
5.
To be concerned about the need for temporary economic assistance.
6.
To evaluate the attitudinal reactions of the person.
7.
To assist the person in accepting the responsibility for his or her actions and choices and
thus participate in the redemptive processes offered by the church.
8.
To communicate candidly the limitations of future ministry in the church.
IV.
Guiding Considerations
1.
Provide a supervising pastor to whom the minister under discipline can go for support,
spiritual direction, and accountability. The supervising pastor will be provided training
and support on the nature and process of this kind of accountability relationship.
2.
Permit the supervising pastor to be someone other than where the minister under
discipline might attend church. (It may work an undue hardship to attend the church of
the supervising pastor because of distance; and the pastor of the nearest church may not
be the best suited to supervise.)
3.
Assign the person to a small accountability group of two or more members for spiritual
Page 3
direction and support. The supervising pastor may be a part of the accountability group.
4.
Permit the minister under discipline to be involved in the process of choosing the
accountability group with the approval of the District Superintendent.
5.
Limit the length of discipline to three years if the person confesses of his/her own
volition.
6.
Utilize the option of deferment of discipline where appropriate (Manual 502.5) so the
person may become inactive without affecting his/her credentials. This does not take
district assembly action.
7.
Require appropriate psychological and spiritual counseling for the minister and spouse or
assign them to a retreat center where clinical testing and assessment may be given for the
couple.
8.
Encourage the use of a subcommittee of the Ministerial Board of Credentials as a
ACredentials Review Committee@ (not a large number) selected on the basis of
experience and some training rather than on popularity, and who has the authority for
recommending restoration to the Board of General Superintendents
(Keeping restoration in the hands of a limited number rather than unnecessarily
publicizing it before a large group than is uninformed).
9.
Utilize the change in jurisdiction provided in Manual 435.5-7 where advisable.
10.
Manual paragraphs 435.6 and 435.7 deal specifically with a minister (licensed or
ordained) who has suffered a moral lapse involving adultery or other sexual immorality.
The first paragraph suggests no fewer than three full years as a time frame based on the
person=s confession as a result of personal volition. The second paragraph suggests no
fewer than four full years as a time frame based on the need for confrontation followed
by a confession and/or to have been found guilty. This is what it looks like:
PARAGRAPH 435.6
1.
2.
3.
4.
Confession
Surrender of Credentials
Two years of rehabilitation (no official ministry)
Third year:
a. Application or request for restoration as minister in good standing
b. Advisory Board has one year for consideration, investigation (re: compliance,
amendment of life, etc.)
c. Advisory Board recommends to Credentials Board
d. Credentials Board recommends to General Superintendents
e. With General Superintendent=s okay, recommendation goes to the District
Assembly
Page 4
PARAGRAPH 435.7
1. Confrontation
2. Confession or guilt determination (trial, etc.)
3. Surrender of Credentials
4. Two years of rehabilitation (no official ministry)
5. Third year:
a. Application or request for restoration as minister in good standing
b. Advisory Board has two years for consideration, investigation (re: compliance,
amendment of life, etc.)
c. Advisory Board recommends to Credentials Board
d. Credentials Board recommends to General Superintendents
e. With General Superintendent=s okay, recommendation goes to the District
Assembly
V.
Recommended Response Program
1.
When information is received by the District Superintendent that the possibility of
misconduct has occurred, he/she shall appoint a Response Team. This team may be
composed of elders, deacons, and Advisory Board Laity.
2.
The Response Team shall consider written or verbal Ainformation@ regarding the alleged
misconduct. The purpose of this initial response is to determine the probability of guilt,
the feasibility of removal from ministry, and the need for investigation. At least one
member of the Response Team should interface and/or work with the Aspouses@
involved.
3.
A specific response will be outlined by the Team regarding:
(a) Confrontation of the Aaccused.@
(b) Information to be shared with the local church board
(c) Information to be shared with the local church after consultation with the
church board
(d) Information to be shared with other clergy
(e) Response to the family or the Aaccused.@
(f ) Response to the Aabused@ or Awronged@ parties.
(f) Responses in case the accusations are unfounded.
4.
Depending upon the Aaccused@ person=s response(s), Manual paragraphs 435.5-7 will be
invoked.
VI.
Recommended Rehabilitation Program
1.
Where credentials have been surrendered the period of rehabilitation shall be for a
minimum of three years. Discipline for lesser infractions may be assessed with the
Page 5
disciplines provided in Manual 502.5.
2.
The minister under discipline shall be required to meet annually with the ACredentials
Review Committee@ (see committee recommendation above) selected from the
Ministerial Credentials Board appointed by the district superintendent to report progress
in the rehabilitation program.
3.
The person under discipline may not have any active ministry for the first year of the
rehabilitation process. In the second year, limited (non-leadership) ministry may take
place under the direction of the Credential Review Committee upon written approval by
the District Superintendent where credentials were lost and the general superintendent in
jurisdiction of that district. Any limited ministry may be performed only under
appropriate supervision.
4.
The minister under discipline shall be assigned to a supervising pastor with whom he or
she shall meet at least monthly for assessing his or her progress and for receiving spiritual
guidance. Clear evidence of amendment of life and practice is to be maintained.
5.
The supervising pastor will be required to report to the Credentials Review Committee
once each year regarding the process with the minister under discipline. This shall
continue until the minister under discipline has been restored to ministry or until the
Credential Review Committee deems it appropriate to discontinue.
6.
The individual shall be required to meet regularly with a small accountability group of
two or more persons for spiritual direction and support. He or she shall be included in the
process of selecting this group under the direction of the Credential Review Committee
but the district superintendent shall make the final decision. These meetings shall
continue following the restoration to ministry if the Credential Review Committee deems
it necessary.
7.
Psychological and spiritual counseling may be required for the person and the spouse
with a counselor(s) approved by the Credential Review Committee. A minimum of six
counseling sessions should be held, and depending on the nature of the problem, perhaps
half of the sessions will be with the spouse in attendance. If assigned to a rehabilitation
center, clinical testing and assessment will be expected to be done.
8.
The person and the spouse shall also be assigned to a local church for nurture (which may
or may not be the church of the supervising pastor). They shall be expected to attend
regularly and participate in all the means of grace available to them through the church.
9.
The minister under discipline shall communicate directly with the district superintendent
quarterly to report progress in the rehabilitation program. This report should be
accomplished in a personal interview or meeting whenever possible.
Page 6
10.
The membership of the person under discipline will be required to remain within the
district where the disciplinary action occurred except in extenuating circumstances
according to Manual 435.5-7.
11.
The minister under discipline shall communicate directly with the district superintendent
quarterly to report progress in the rehabilitation program, unless a system of reporting or
accountability is otherwise provided for. This report should be accomplished in a
personal interview or meeting whenever possible.
12.
The district superintendent and the Credentials Review Committee should be sensitive to
the economic concerns, including job placement, as a part of facilitating the rehabilitation
process and may make whatever recommendations it deems advisable.
13.
The minister under discipline will be asked to read in the first year of rehabilitation at
least four of the following books with their spouse, submitting written reflections to the
supervising pastor:
Prevention/Education
When Minister’s Sin, Sexual Abuse In the Church , by Neil & Thea Ormerod
Is Nothing Sacred?, by Marie Fortune
Sex In the Forbidden Zone, by Peter Rutter, M.D.
Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches, by Carolyn Heggen
Restoring the Fallen, by Wilson, Friesen, Paulson
Guard the Truth, by John Stott
Men
When Men Think Private Thoughts, by Gordon MacDonald
The Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart, by Stu Weber
Man In the Mirror, by Patrick Morley
Women
Honestly, by Sheila Walsh
Under His Wings, by Patsy Clairmont
Couples
Loving Your Marriage Enough To Protect It, by Jerry Jenkins
His Needs/Her Needs, by Willard Harley
Staying Close, by Dennis Rainey
The Marriage Builder, by Larry Crabb
Safe Places, by Arterburn, Minirth & Meier
Betrayal of Trust, by Grentz
Page 7
VII.
Recommended Support Program
(This program is designed as a response to and for the person who has been Awronged,@ abused,
or in some cases, “the other person” involved)
1.
A confidant will be assigned by the Response Team to the “other person involved”
immediately (if this is feasible and appropriate). This confidant should be a person of the
same sex who can listen carefully to the story of the person wronged without judgment or
criticism. Preferably the confidant should be outside of the local church setting.
2.
Opportunity should be provided for the person “other person involved” to talk with the
Response Team and later to the Credential Review Committee.
3.
Counselor or confidant of the “other person involved” person should have access to the
Credential Review Committee for additional input and report to the district.
4.
A reconciliation process should be provided for the “other person involved” person. This
process may include but not be limited to meetings with the counselors, district
superintendent, and other appropriate persons.
5.
Consideration for the Asafety@ and Acomfort@ of the “other person involved” should
always be held as a standard.
This rough draft does not include all the things we need to say (at this time). It is a beginning to
address some of the process by our District for those who have fallen specifically as a result of
sexual sin.
MAJOR ISSUES YET TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS DOCUMENT:
1.
2.
3.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Counseling payment issues of the Awronged@ or the “other person involved” person
Dealing with churches and boards in which the offender has been ministering or may
minister. Determining who knows what, when, and how information gets communicated.
Preventative work and education: How to educate our churches and pastors regarding
Aappropriate social conduct,@ including information which gives a better understanding
of the damage and impact of abuse.
Process of confrontation when needed
Program of help for those who have been abused
Making sure the ordination process considers past conduct in trying to present
problematic situations from entering the ordained ministry.
Helping Boards know how to decide on the guilt of a person.
OTHER THOUGHTS AND IDEAS:
Page 8