Topics
Is Nothing Sacred? A timely case study, designed for congregations for preventing and finding effective solutions for sexual abuse against congregants by clergy, by the Rev. Marie M. Fortune (Cleveland: The United Church Press, 1999).
A Sacred Trust: Boundary Issues for Clergy and Spiritual Teachers. A program of four training videos that increase awareness of the need for healthy boundaries in the clergy-congregant or student-teacher relationship. Available through the Faith Trust Institute.
Annotated Bibliography of Clergy Sexual Abuse. The phenomenon of sexual abuse as committed by persons in fiduciary relationships is widespread among helping professions. Those who perpetrate these violations are not confined to any nation. This bibliography is oriented to several specific contexts in which this phenomenon occurs. By James S. Evinger. Available through the Faith Trust Institute.
Take and Make Holy — Honoring the Sacred in the Healing Journey of Abuse Survivors. By Marie West Zinnerman. Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago, IL 1995.
Forgiveness and Abuse: Jewish and Christian Reflections. Edited by Marie Fortune and Joretta Marshall. The Haworth Press, Inc. 2002 (pp. 71-85).
FutureChurch — A Liturgy of Lament for the Broken Body of Christ. This liturgy was developed in response to a survivor of clergy sexual abuse who asked FutureChurch to sponsor a healing service for victims. The liturgy was used in a service that was held in Cleveland on Oct. 14, 2002, and involved 22 co-participants from northeastern Ohio. The liturgy includes music and prayer written by a Cleveland survivor of sexual abuse who is also a musician. The complete liturgy is provided in PDF format for download. It includes a detailed planning guide, diagrams of stations that were set up in the worship space, a participants’ booklet, the message that was preached, and original music composed specifically for this service.
Recovering from Un-Natural Disasters is a must-read handbook for pastors and church leaders of communities who could or perhaps already have experienced an un-natural disaster, such as gun violence, suicides, or sexual abuse. Written by Laurie Kraus, David Holyan, and Bruce Wismer. Published by Westminster John Knox Press. Order here.
Creating Child & Youth Protection Policies Guide – Download here
We Won’t Let It Happen Here: Creating a Safe Church. Created by the Presbyterian Child Advocacy Network, a network of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA). Download here
Standards of Ethical Conduct (Approved by the 201th General Assembly [(1998]) Download here
Guidelines for Child Care at Church Sponsored Meetings. Recommended by the 207th General Assembly. How to have quality child care at church-related meetings. Includes: responsibilities of governing body, local churches, coordinator, and parents. Sample employee questionnaire, background checks, resource guide. Published by the Child Advocacy Network for the PC(USA) (1995). Order here
Preventing Sexual Abuse in Congregations. By Karen A. McClintock, Herndon, Va., 2004. Order here
Safe Sanctuaries Anniversary Edition – Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth. By Joy Thornburg Melton. This 10-year anniversary edition of the bestselling Safe Sanctuaries series brings together – in one volume – the transformative and foundational information found in Melton’s previous two volumes. Safe Sanctuaries remains the only resource of its kind that offers the tools necessary to train leaders of the church to keep children and youth safe. This volume is updated to include information on the growing concern around the internet and predators as well as a new section on vulnerable adults. Order here
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse within Youth-Serving Organizations: Getting Started on Policies and Procedures.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed this resource to assist youth-serving organizations as they begin to adopt prevention strategies for child sexual abuse. Download here
Christ Would Not Cast the Judgment Stone - Hymn
Christ Would Not Cast the Judgment Stone - Hymn Lyric Sheet
FutureChurch — A Liturgy of Lament for the Broken Body of Christ
I BELIEVE YOU: Faiths’ Response to Intimate Partner Violence is an extraordinary interfaith documentary that explores the stories of survivors of abuse and the response of faith groups to address their needs. Award winning documentary produced with Presbyterian Women
A Time to Weep: Liturgical lament in times of crisis
"Man Prayer" - words by Eve Ensler, film by Tony Stroebel
One in Three Sermon Guide
Presbyterians Against Domestic Violence Network 2015 Resource Pack
Telling the Truth: Preaching and Teaching about sexual violence
Faith-Based Response Wheel for Faith Leaders and Communities
Worship Resources to Address Domestic Violence
Some of these definitions come from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Order and others can be found in “Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Sexual Misconduct Policy and Its Procedures” (adopted by the 219th General Assembly [2010], updated October 2013) (hereafter the “Policy”).
Accused — the person against whom a claim of sexual misconduct is made.
Accuser — the person claiming knowledge of sexual misconduct by a person covered by the Policy. The accuser may or may not be the victim of alleged sexual misconduct. A person such as a family member, friend, or colleague may be the accuser.
Certified Christian Educators — people certified and called to service in the ministry of education in congregations or councils. They shall have skills and training in biblical interpretation, Reformed theology, worship and sacraments, human development, faith development, religious educational theory and practice, and the polity, programs, and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Child Sexual Abuse — includes, but is not limited to, any contact or interaction between a child and an adult when the child is being used for the sexual stimulation of the adult person or of a third person. The behavior may or may not involve touching. Sexual behavior between a child and an adult is always considered forced whether or not consented to by the child. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the sexual abuse definition of a child is anyone under age 18.
Church — spelled with the first letter capitalized, refers to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); when spelled with the first letter lowercase, refers to local churches. The word congregation is used loosely for members and participants.
Civil Authorities — the governmental bodies, whether city, county, state, or federal, that are given the responsibility to investigate, criminally prosecute, and/or bring civil charges against individuals accused of sexual crimes or offenses against adults and children.
Clerk — Each council shall elect a clerk who shall record the transactions of the council, keep its rolls of membership and attendance, maintain any required registers, preserve its records, and furnish extracts from them when required by another council of the church. Such extracts, verified by the clerk, shall be evidence in any council of the church. The clerk of the session shall be a ruling elder elected by the session for such term as it may determine. The clerk of a presbytery, a synod, and the General Assembly shall be called stated clerk, shall be elected by the council for a definite term as it may determine, and must be a ruling elder or teaching elder.
Council — a representative body composed of ruling elders and teaching elders; sessions, presbyteries, synods, and the General Assembly. A council may establish entities such as day care centers, conference centers, camps or homes for the aged. A council may have both church members and nonmembers as employees.
Deacon — The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. People of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.
Employee — a comprehensive term used to cover individuals who are hired or called to work for the Church for salary or wages.
Entity — term used to refer to any program or office managed by a board, committee, council, or other body whose membership is elected by a council.
Inquiry — term used in the Rules of Discipline (Book of Order) to determine whether charges should be filed based upon allegations of an offense received by a council (see Book of Order, D-10.0101, D-10.0102 and D-10.0103).
Mandated Reporter — includes a person under the PC(USA) constitution who is mandated to report to the civil authorities any reasonably held belief that there will be future harm and is also described by some states’ laws as a person who is required to report any and all suspected incidents of child abuse, including child sexual abuse that come to their attention. State laws vary from defining “all people having knowledge” as mandated reporters to specifying very limited lists of professions whose members are required to report.
Member — There are three categories of member in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
- Baptized Member — a person who has received the Sacrament of Baptism, whether in this congregation or elsewhere, and who has been enrolled as a baptized member by the session but who has not made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Such baptized members receive the pastoral care and instruction of the church, and may participate in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
- Active Member — a person who has made a profession of faith in Christ, has been baptized, has been received into membership of the church, has voluntarily submitted to the government of this church, and participates in the church’s work and worship. In addition, active members participate in the governance of the church and may be elected to ordered ministry (see G-2.0102). Active members shall regularly, after prayerful consideration, recommit themselves to the disciplines and responsibilities of membership outlined in G-1.0304. The session shall have responsibility for preparing those who would become active members of the congregation.
- Affiliate Member — a member of another congregation of this denomination or of another denomination or Christian body, who has temporarily moved from the community where the congregation of membership is situated, has presented a certificate of good standing from the appropriate council or governing body of that congregation, and has been received by the session as an affiliate member. An affiliate member may participate in the life of the congregation in the same manner as an active member except that an affiliate member may not vote in congregational meetings or be elected to ordered ministry or other office in the congregation.
Misuse of Technology — use of technology that results in sexually harassing or abusing another person, including texting or emailing suggestive messages and images to people with whom one has a ministerial relationship. It is never appropriate to view pornography on church property. When this includes a person under the age of 18, it is considered child abuse. There is never an expectation of personal privacy when using technological equipment owned by a church or church entity or within the context of ministry.
People Covered — by the Policy include church members, church officers, teaching elders, and non-members who are employees or volunteers of the General Assembly of the PC(USA). All other councils or entities of the General Assembly that are governed by the Book of Order are required to create a sexual misconduct policy (Book of Order G-3.0106).
Rape — sexual contact by force, threat or intimidation.
Ruling Elders — As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided people with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect people of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matthew 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully as members of the session. When elected as commissioners to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office.
Ruling Elder Commissioned to Pastoral Service — When the presbytery, in consultation with the session or other responsible committee, determines that its strategy for mission requires it, the presbytery may authorize a ruling elder to be commissioned to limited pastoral service as assigned by the presbytery. A ruling elder so designated may be commissioned to serve in a validated ministry of the presbytery. The presbytery, in its commission, may authorize the ruling elder to moderate the session of the congregation to which he or she is commissioned, to administer the Sacraments, and to officiate at marriages where permitted by state law. This commission shall also specify the term of service, which shall not exceed three years but shall be renewable. The presbytery shall review the commission at least annually (Book of Order G-2.1001).
Secular law — the body of municipal, state and federal laws, often referred to collectively as civil and criminal law. Prohibited behavior addressed by the Policy may result in criminal and/or civil charges filed under secular law.
Sexual Abuse — as defined in the Book of Order: “Sexual abuse of another person is any offense involving sexual conduct in relation to (1) any person under the age of eighteen years or anyone over the age of eighteen years without the mental capacity to consent; or (2) any person when the conduct includes force, threat, coercion, intimidation, or misuse of ordered ministry or position” (Book of Order, D-10.0401c).
Sexual Conduct — offensive, obsessive, or suggestive language or behavior, unacceptable visual contact, unwelcome touching, or fondling that is injurious to the physical or emotional health of another.
Sexual Harassment — unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, or their continued status in an institution.
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such an individual.
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
- An individual is subjected to unwelcome sexual jokes, unwelcome or inappropriate touching or display of sexual visuals that insult, degrade, and/or sexually exploit men, women, or children.
Sexual Malfeasance — is defined by the broken trust resulting from sexual activities within a professional ministerial relationship that results in misuse of office or position arising from the professional ministerial relationship.
Sexual Misconduct — a comprehensive term, defined in the Policy, that includes:
- Child Sexual Abuse (defined herein).
- Sexual Abuse (defined herein).
- Sexual harassment (defined herein).
- Rape (defined herein).
- Sexual conduct (defined herein).
- Sexual malfeasance (defined herein).
- Misuse of Technology (defined herein).
Teaching Elders — Teaching elders (also called ministers of the Word and Sacrament) shall in all things be committed to teaching the faith and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). They may serve in a variety of ministries, as authorized by the presbytery. When they serve as preachers and teachers of the Word, they shall preach and teach the faith of the church, so that the people are shaped by the pattern of the gospel and strengthened for witness and service. When they serve at font and table, they shall interpret the mysteries of grace and lift the people’s vision toward the hope of God’s new creation. When they serve as pastors, they shall support the people in the disciplines of the faith amid the struggles of daily life. When they serve as presbyters, they shall participate in the responsibilities of governance, seeking always to discern the mind of Christ and to build up Christ’s body through devotion, debate, and decision.
Victim — a person claiming to have been harmed and/or abused by a person covered under the Policy.
Volunteer — the term used for those who provide services for the General Assembly and other councils and entities of the Church. Volunteers include people elected or appointed to serve on boards, committees, or other groups. For purposes of the Policy, volunteers are treated the same as employees.
These definitions will be updated as needed.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) believes that sexual abuse and misconduct, including sexual harassment, are never permissible or acceptable. The General Assembly and other Presbyterian committees have issued policies and resources to help guide councils and members in their relationships with one another.
Policies Approved by the General Assembly
(Approved by the 210th General Assembly [1998].) Church leaders across the denomination are asking for help amid the complexities and ambiguities of ministry in the contemporary world. While Scripture, the Book of Confessions, and the Book of Order provide guidance, it is sometimes unclear how to make the connections between their general guidance and the particular ethical dilemmas that confront people in the conduct of life and ministry. The Standards of Ethical Conduct are intended as a bridge between these guiding resources and the specific issues that people in ministry face on a day-to-day basis. The Standards provide that members, employees, volunteers, and ordained officers of the PC(USA) will refrain from exploiting relationships for personal gain, including sexual harassment.
(Adopted by the 219th General Assembly [2010], updated October 2013.) It is the policy of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) … that all church members, church officers, non-member employees, and volunteers of congregations, governing bodies, and entities of the church are to maintain the integrity of the ministerial, employment, and professional relationship at all times. People who engage in sexual misconduct are in violation of the principles set forth in Scripture, and also of the ministerial, pastoral, employment, and professional relationship. It is never permissible or acceptable for a church member, officer, employee, or volunteer to engage in sexual misconduct.
(Approved by the 222nd General Assembly [2016]; updated by the 224th General Assembly [2020].) It is the policy of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and all entities of the General Assembly that all church members, church officers, non-member employees and/or contractors, and volunteers of congregations, councils, and entities of the church are to maintain the strongest sense of integrity, safety, nurturing, and care involving all interactions with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. This policy applies to all General Assembly entity sponsored activities that involve children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy Reports Approved
(Approved by the 216th General Assembly [2004].) This study examines the balance between allegations of child sexual abuse and due process for the accused.
(Approved by the 213th General Assembly [2001].) This policy statement is the result of a development process that included wide consultation and participation throughout the church, drawing upon biblical sources and insights from the Reformed tradition in giving renewed definition to Presbyterian understandings concerning the root causes of domestic violence and the church’s complicity and response to the problem. The term “domestic violence” in this policy statement and its rationale is used as an inclusive term to broadly encompass the abuse found in child/child, parent/child, spouse/spouse, partner/partner, and adult child/aging parent relationships, as well as violence that occurs in sibling and dating relationships.
(Approved by the 222nd General Assembly [2016].) A study and recommendations for policies to curtail the ongoing tragedy of human trafficking that addresses not only sex trafficking and child trafficking, but also labor trafficking and lesser-known ways that people can be bought and sold.
A statement of concern on human trafficking.
(Approved by the 221st General Assembly [2014].) A report with recommendations seeking to support efforts to end the continuing problem of sexual assault within the U.S. military.