Misconduct & Child Protection Policy

Misconduct Policy and Child Protection Policy

THE SUNRISE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GREAT FALLS

MISCONDUCT POLICY and CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Adopted October 2021; Revised August 2024

Preamble: As our understanding of the world grows, so our policy grows to include and address those issues which are at the heart of human inclusion and welcome. As Christians, we seek to reconcile ourselves to one another and the world around us. This means that we are called to be in constant communion with God, seeking out the marginalized, caring for the disenfranchised, and working toward justice for all peoples.

In order that we continue to grow, learn, and understand, the Sunrise Presbyterian Church elders shall attend boundary training every three years, with a majority of currently serving elders having attended a training within a three-year period.

A. Introduction to Sexual Misconduct Policy

Our faith in Jesus Christ and Holy Scripture calls us to standards of responsible conduct in all of life, including sexual behavior. Human sexuality is an integral part of who we are. It can become, however, the context for oppression, where trust relationships are breached and persons are abused.

The Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Great Falls endeavors to prevent sexual misconduct through the promotion of professional and ethical behavior consistent with the Reformed tradition. Sexual misconduct within the Church shall not be tolerated.

B. Purpose of this Policy

1. To prevent and eliminate sexual abuse within the Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Great Falls.

2. To safeguard the Church’s members and staff from abuse through any form of sexual misconduct.

C. Definition of Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct is the comprehensive term used in this policy to include: sexual abuse of children or adults, rape or sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Sexual misconduct is an abuse of authority and power and it breaches Christian ethical principles. Categories of sexual misconduct are described below.

1. Sexual abuse occurs whenever a person in a position of trust or authority engages in a sexual act or sexual contact with another person to whom he or she owes a professional responsibility. Such abuse shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

Sexual acts or sexual contact with a minor.
Sexual acts or sexual contact involving inducement, threat, coercion, force, violence, or intimidation of another person.
Sexual acts or contact between ministers and laity with whom they have a pastoral relationship, even if consensual.
Sexual acts or sexual contact with another person who is incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct or physically incapable of declining participation in, or communicating unwillingness to engage in, that sexual act or sexual contact.
Sexual acts or sexual contact arising from the administration to another person of a drug or intoxicant that substantially impairs the ability of that person to apprise or control the nature of the conduct.

2. 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. Child sexual abuse between an adult and a child is always considered forced whether or not consented to by the child. Child sexual abuse is a crime in all states and must be reported to civil authorities.

3. Rape or sexual assault is a crime in every state and shall be reported to civil authorities and to the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery.

4. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexually offensive 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 by an individual is the basis for employment decisions affecting that individual; or
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. Sexual harassment can consist of a single intense or severe act or multiple persistent or persuasive acts. Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to:

sexually oriented jokes or humor;
sexually demeaning comments;
verbal suggestions of sexual involvement or sexual activity;
questions or comments about sexual behavior;
unwelcome or inappropriate physical contact;
graphic or degrading comments about an individual’s physical appearance;
express or implied sexual advances or propositions;
display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures;
repeated requests for social engagements after an individual refuses.

D. Sunrise Presbyterian Church Policy on Sexual Misconduct

1. Sexual misconduct is never permissible. It is a violation of the principles set forth in Scripture, and constitutes a refutation of ordination vows and standards of ministry, as well as of pastoral, employment, and professional relationships.

2. The Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Great Falls shall educate ministers and elders in an understanding of and toward the elimination of sexual misconduct by providing copies of this policy to ministers and elders, and making accessible through the church office a copy of this policy whenever, and by whomever, it is requested.

3. The Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Great Falls shall not extend a pastoral call to a minister who has been convicted of sexual misconduct in church or secular court.

4. The Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Great Falls calls into responsibility all church professionals, officers, members, non-members, employees, and volunteers to uphold the conduct guidelines within this policy.

5. The Church shall include a copy of this policy within the church Personnel Handbook and ensure that every current and incoming employee is aware of the Sexual Misconduct Policy.

6. The Church shall take seriously an allegation of Sexual Misconduct, shall report it to the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery and shall take steps to investigate any allegations of misconduct.

a. If the Minister is the one accused of Sexual Misconduct, allegations should be sent to the Personnel Committee of the Church; the committee will then contact the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery without undue delay.

7. Mandated reporting shall be made to the appropriate local, state, or federal authorities if the allegations involve the abuse of a minor child or other criminal behavior.

8. Sexual misconduct also includes the discrimination of LGBTQ+ persons by excluding them from employment or church membership based upon their sexuality, whether known or inferred.

E. Anti-discrimination Policy

Racism and racial discrimination can present in different and variety ways, including direct and indirect discrimination, racial vilification, race-based selection, and micro- and macro-aggression. Sunrise Presbyterian Church condemns these acts of racial discrimination and will strive toward equity between all peoples.

Gender-based discrimination is likewise not tolerated, including discrimination based upon sexual preference and sexual identity. This includes discrimination against transgender and gender-fluid individuals. They shall not be left out of the life of the congregation based upon their gender identity and members of the congregation shall strive to treat all persons with equity.

If church members or participants witness acts of racial discrimination or gender-based discrimination, they shall immediately address these concerns, both verbally and in writing, to the church Session. Concerns should include the date, event/circumstances, and names of individuals involved and names of those who witnessed the incident.

Committees and groups are encouraged to use “equity primes” – questions that address how marginalized groups and individuals may be impacted by decisions made by the church as a whole or by individual committees.

F. Child Protection Policy

In addition to the Sexual Misconduct policy and its application to conduct regarding children, the Sunrise Presbyterian Church also establishes these guidelines for the protection of children and vulnerable adults within the congregation.

Every person working with children <18 years of age must undergo a background check every 4 years. This includes both new and seasoned volunteers. Background checks shall be conducted by a member of the Personnel Committee or by a staff member of the Church. Minister background checks are done by the Presbytery.
An individual may not work directly with children, unless in large group settings, until they have been a attending participant in the congregation for no less than 6 months.
Volunteers and staff who communicate with children and youth through digital means (text messages, instant messaging, private messaging, etc.) shall include at least one other person in the interaction - a parent or relative, another staff member or volunteer, or send to entire groups.
Whenever possible, there should be two adult volunteers with each child group.
1. For Sunday school classes with one teacher, door should be left open and the room visible to anyone passing by.
2. For times when a second adult is unavailable to assist, a youth volunteer of 14-18 years of age may be used as a second volunteer. However, this volunteer must be no less than 5 years older than the group of children with which they are working. (For example, a 17 year old may work with a group of 12 year olds but not a group of 14 year olds).
3. This policy recognizes the difficulty of obtaining adult volunteers for child and youth programming. If an event is being held with only one adult volunteer, all parents/guardians of children must be made aware of that in advance of the program taking place.
4. When possible, the two adult volunteers should not be related to one another by marriage/domestic partnership.
Parent and volunteer drivers for events must have a DMV search included in their background check.
Out-of-town events and overnight events for children and youth must be approved by Session in advance of the event. Church-location, local and in-town events may be scheduled by adult leaders and committees without prior Session authorization.
All overnight events must have a minimum of 2 non-related adult volunteers present on the site at all times.
If an accident or illness occurs where a child or youth needs immediate medical attention and an adult leave the site with the child, the second adult shall make calls to find a replacement volunteer or call parents to pick their children/youth up early from the event. The adult accompanying the child shall reach out to the parent/guardian to inform them of the medical need.
1. If it is an urgent need, call 911, and if time allows, contact the Pastor.
Exposure to COVID-19 by the group shall be reported to the Session and all parents/guardians contacted.
Children and youth participating in church activities and events shall fill out a participation form with contact information, emergency contact information, and major health concerns. This form shall also include a line regarding photography and photo release
Children and youth participating in church activities and events may be photographed. Parents wishing for their child/ren not to be used in publications in print or online shall make this indication on the child participation forms.
1. Children and youth <18 shall not be identified by age or last name online. First names only will be used as identifiers.
2. Newspaper publications often ask for the first and last names of participants. The Church will provide these names to reputable newspapers only and will not give names out of children if the journalist/s or writer/s are not able to identify themselves with an organization.
3. The Church does not have control over photographs and images captured during public events, worship, and activities. The Church is aware that there is always the possibility that children and youth may be identified by others online or in print. The Church cannot control the use of pictures by others.
Children and youth identifying as LGBTQ+ shall not be excluded from Church programs or activities based upon their sexuality or gender preference, whether known or inferred.
Each volunteer working with children and youth shall receive a copy of this Child Protection Policy as well as the Misconduct Policy and shall adhere to the standards set within these policies.
Any digital communication with minors and adults must include at least 3 people – adults should not have one-on-one digital conversations with children under 18 through text, messaging, or other digital platforms.

. Church members, volunteers, staff, and guests shall use discretion in selecting age-appropriate language and content avoiding graphic descriptions of violence, war, war crimes, rape, murder, self-harm, drug use, or suicide when children or youth are present. This also applies to vulnerable adults. (A vulnerable adult is legally defined as a person aged 18 or older who is unable to protect or care for themselves due to a physical, mental, emotional, or developmental disability, sensory impairment, or the infirmities of aging.) If it is unclear what language should be used, individuals are encouraged to consult the minister or the Christian education committee.

If church members or participants witness acts of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, gender-based discrimination, or other violations of this policy, they shall immediately address these concerns, both verbally and in writing, to the church Session. Concerns should include the date, event/circumstances, and names of individuals involved and names of those who witnessed the incident. (to be listed in both the misconduct section and the child protection section of the document)

THE SUNRISE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GREAT FALLS

MISCONDUCT POLICY and CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

I have received, understand, and will abide by the contents of the Sunrise Presbyterian Church Misconduct Policy and Child Protection Policy.

Signed: ____________________________________________

Date: ___________________