In the New Testament, the church is likened to the body of Christ and of a flock of sheep under the guidance of Christ’s shepherding. John Calvin compared the church to a mother who nurtures a child.
Christians aspire to the highest expression of Christian fellowship implicit in these images and explicit in the teaching of Christ and the epistles of the early church, and so the church should be a safe place to exercise ministry. However, our lives and communities do not always or fully reflect God’s intention, with the result that the church is sometimes less than it is called to be. Regretfully, experience teaches that bullying and harassment takes place in the congregations, courts and committees of the church. Preventing harm and responding promptly, carefully and appropriately to harassment of any kind, helps the church become the body Christ it is called it to be.
The policies and resources on this page help make the ministries of The Presbyterian Church in Canada safe places to worship, serve and work. When questions arise about the implementation or interpretation of the policies, or about which procedure to follow when a complaint could fall under more than one policy, national office staff serve as resource to the church’s ministries, courts and committees as they enact the policies.
Jump to: Leading with Care Policy | Policy and Procedure for Addressing Harassment in the Church | Policy for Dealing with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment
Leading with Care Policy
Leading with Care
It is the policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that all persons, and in particular all children, youth and vulnerable adults, who participate in the denomination’s programs, ministries and/or use the denomination’s facilities, will be cared for with Christian compassion and will be safe.
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Leading with Care Overview
To arrange for a workshop or for more information, please email David Phillips or call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 283.
Policy and Procedures for Addressing Harassment in the Church
Addressing Harassment in the Church Overview
For more information, please email Ian Ross-McDonald or call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 289.
Policy for Dealing with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment
Policy for Dealing with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment
It is the policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that sexual abuse or sexual harassment of any kind by church leaders, staff or volunteers will not be tolerated. All complaints will be taken seriously, and handled according to the terms of this policy.
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SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT TRAINING (SASH)
Online Training in the Policy for Dealing with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SASH) of the Presbyterian Church In Canada
This online training module offers a basic introduction to the SASH policy is intended for:
- Members of Sessions, congregations and anyone in the church at large;
- Ministers and candidates for ministry who may need a “refresher” in the policy;
- Applicants to the Committee on Education and Reception (E&R) who have been declared eligible for reception as ministers or as candidates certified for ordination in the PCC.
The module consists of three parts to be completed in sequence:
- A 30-minute online video, Sexual Misconduct: Learn to Spot It, Learn to Stop It, produced by the Anglican Church of Canada, and which can be viewed here:
- A 30-minute narrated PowerPoint presentation which can be viewed here:
- A 10-question quiz to review your knowledge:
For more information, please email Tim Purvis or call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 264.