Classis Mandate: The role of the Safe Church Team is to convene an Advisory Panel when called upon by a church within classis Niagara. The Panel will follow the guidelines set out by the Synod of 1997.

Summary of Guidelines:

“The guidelines are intended to provide a process by which the church takes seriously the claims of abuse, evaluates specific allegations of misconduct, establishes a forum for meeting out justice, aggressively seeks repentance from those who are guilty, and removes such persons from entrusted office or function within the church.”

(Acts of Synod, 1995)

Terms of Reference:

1) Members on the Safe Church Team be available to sit on an Advisory Panel as convened according to guidelines set out by Synod of CRC.

· Members be familiar with process of Panel and able to give clarity to churches about such process.

· Churches view the mandate and responsibility of the Team through the structural framework of the CRC: Board of Trustees of the CRCNA has strongly recommended this process and each classis is advised to appoint such a team, as well as ask each congregation to utilize the process.

· Classis recommend each congregation request the assistance of the Advisory Panel when allegations of physical or sexual abuse arise against a present or former church leader.

2) Classis determines that each congregation has developed an abuse prevention policy.

· Collecting of this information and follow-up rightly belongs within the authority of Classis. Stated Clerk, on behalf of Classis, then could request this information of each church.

· Classis promotes the development of such a policy through educational/training seminars. Classis Ministry Team (through the training sub-team) hosts bi-yearly seminars utilizing the services of the Director of the CRC Office of Abuse Prevention.

· Individual churches be encouraged to promote awareness and prevention in their congregation through educational evenings. Names of suitable local persons with knowledge in this area would be available from the Safe Church Team.

3) General Assistance regarding abuse issues within churches not related to present or former church leaders are not included in the mandate of the Safe Church Team.

· Classis recognize and encourage individual churches to obtain professional assistance through contracting with individuals who are qualified to assist in such matters.

· Safe Church Team could have available a list of qualified individuals within the area who are willing to contract with churches to assist in these matters.


Main Menu: · News and Events · Safe Church Team · Board of Trustees · Brock Campus Ministry · Administration · Church Directory · Shalom Chaplaincy · Youth Ministries · Links · Contact Us	Safe Church Team Denominational Resource - Safe Church Team Classis Mandate: The role of the Safe Church Team is to convene an Advisory Panel when called upon by a church within classis Niagara. The Panel will follow the guidelines set out by the Synod of 1997. Summary of Guidelines: “The guidelines are intended to provide a process by which the church takes seriously the claims of abuse, evaluates specific allegations of misconduct, establishes a forum for meeting out justice, aggressively seeks repentance from those who are guilty, and removes such persons from entrusted office or function within the church.” (Acts of Synod, 1995) Terms of Reference: 1) Members on the Safe Church Team be available to sit on an Advisory Panel as convened according to guidelines set out by Synod of CRC. · Members be familiar with process of Panel and able to give clarity to churches about such process. · Churches view the mandate and responsibility of the Team through the structural framework of the CRC: Board of Trustees of the CRCNA has strongly recommended this process and each classis is advised to appoint such a team, as well as ask each congregation to utilize the process. · Classis recommend each congregation request the assistance of the Advisory Panel when allegations of physical or sexual abuse arise against a present or former church leader. 2) Classis determines that each congregation has developed an abuse prevention policy. · Collecting of this information and follow-up rightly belongs within the authority of Classis. Stated Clerk, on behalf of Classis, then could request this information of each church. · Classis promotes the development of such a policy through educational/training seminars. Classis Ministry Team (through the training sub-team) hosts bi-yearly seminars utilizing the services of the Director of the CRC Office of Abuse Prevention. · Individual churches be encouraged to promote awareness and prevention in their congregation through educational evenings. Names of suitable local persons with knowledge in this area would be available from the Safe Church Team. 3) General Assistance regarding abuse issues within churches not related to present or former church leaders are not included in the mandate of the Safe Church Team. · Classis recognize and encourage individual churches to obtain professional assistance through contracting with individuals who are qualified to assist in such matters. · Safe Church Team could have available a list of qualified individuals within the area who are willing to contract with churches to assist in these matters.