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 Allegations of Racial Harassment | Policy for Dealing with Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment

Leading with Care Policy

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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Image of arrow pointing downPCC Policy: Leading with Care – French

Image of arrow pointing downSample Covenant of Care
Image of arrow pointing downSample General Incident Report Form
Image of arrow pointing downDeclaration of Police Records Check
Image of arrow pointing downPolice Reference Checks and Risk Assessment Guide
Image of arrow pointing downLeading with Care - Presbytery Clerk Checklist
Image of arrow pointing downLeading with Care - Synod Clerk Checklist
Image of arrow pointing downSample Annual LWC Report for grant receiving ministries
Image of arrow pointing downLeading with Care Report Sample – Congregations
Image of arrow pointing downChecklists for Teachers/Leaders, Presbytery Clerks and Synod Clerks
Image of arrow pointing downSummer Programs - Overnight and Health Issues

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

Policy for Addressing Harassment in the Church

Policy and Procedures for Addressing Harassment in the Church
The policy of The Presbyterian Church in Canada is that harassment of any kind shall not be tolerated and will be addressed.
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Image of arrow pointing downHuman Rights Codes and Occupational Health and Safety Legislations

For more information, please email Ian Ross-McDonald or call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 289.

Policy for Dealing with Allegations of Racial Harassment

Policy for Dealing with Allegations of Racial Harassment: Growing in Christ

Policy for Dealing with Allegations of Racial Harassment
Inclusion in the body of Christ transcends every race and culture and is visibly demonstrated by full acceptance and inclusion of all people, regardless of race or culture. All allegations of racial harassment will be taken seriously.
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Read more about the church’s statements on racism and antiracism here.

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

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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Image of arrow pointing downTraining for Sessions and Congregations in Dealing with Sexual Abuse/Harassment Issues
Image of arrow pointing downSexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Policy Brochure-Arabic
Image of arrow pointing downSexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Policy Brochure—Chinese
Image of arrow pointing downSexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Policy Brochure-English
Image of arrow pointing downPCC Policy Brochure: Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment – French
Image of arrow pointing downSexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Policy Brochure—Japanese
Image of arrow pointing downSexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Policy Brochure—Korean

For more information, please email Tim Purvis or call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 264.