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
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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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

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