REPORT MINISTER MISCONDUCT

If you decide to call, the person you talk to will listen as you tell them whatever part of your story you are willing to share. They will be supportive of you and provide you with information.

If you prefer email, someone will contact you as soon as possible to offer support and make sure your incident or incidents are given proper attention.

·         The person you call/email will probably ask a few questions to make sure they understand, but this will not be an intense interview.

·         They will make notes as you talk, to make sure they understand you and can give you accurate information.

·         They will ask if you have someone to support you and talk with you about options if you don’t.

·         They will answer any questions you have and give you information about making a written report. (This first contact will not trigger an investigation though the conference leader responsible for ministers will be informed. A process of investigation and response will begin when we receive your written report.)  

·         You may stop the process at any time unless you are reporting on behalf of a minor or other vulnerable person—there is a legal requirement to report abuse in this case (duty to report). The person you contact can help determine if this is the case and what next steps would be.

After this first conversation, the person you spoke to will inform the chair of the pastoral leadership board (called the Board of Leadership and Outreach or BLO) that a report has been made. This should happen within a week of your first contact.

If you are reporting on behalf of a child or minor, or if there is reason to believe that someone is in danger, child and family services and/or the police will be contacted.  

Nothing else will happen until you have submitted a written report. Take the time you need, but as soon as you are ready, please complete and submit it.

After you have submitted the written report, the BLO chair will inform an appropriate leader from your church (normally the chair of the church board unless they are too close to the situation) and then call together a four-person response team (two men and two women). At least one member of the team will have experience in trauma counselling.

When the response team has read your report, they will ask to meet with you. They will want to make sure that anything confusing or vague is cleared up and that you know what is going to happen next. They will make sure you have support and can get counselling if you would like it.

After the response team has met with you, the accused minister will be informed that a report of misconduct has been made about them. The minister will be told that they may not contact you or anyone in your family.

The minister may be removed from his position for a period of investigation. If this happens the congregation will be informed that it is for misconduct, but they will not be told your name or any details.

The EMC response team will investigate unless this becomes a police matter, in which case they will stop and wait until that is complete. If you do not want the police brought in, the response team will respect your decision, continue to support you and work toward a just solution. Note: Except, if the victim is a minor or there is danger, in which case we are obligated to report.

If the police do not have enough evidence for a criminal charge, the response team may continue its own investigation.

You and the minister you named will be kept informed throughout the process. There may be many steps before this is over.

The solution will be as just as possible, but it may fall short of what you hope for. Even if it is fully satisfactory, nothing can undo what has been done. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth and mercy will guide everyone involved and bring healing to you.

To proceed with an investigation, a written report needs to be made. You can complete the form yourself https://www.cognitoforms.com/EvangelicalMennoniteConference/MisconductReport  or get help from a friend or support person in your church. If you do not have anyone close to you, someone at our office can help fill out the form. 

If there are witnesses or supporting documents, include this information.

If you know of someone else who has experienced abuse by the same person, please say that—you don’t need to give their names.

You will need to sign the report, and if someone is writing it for you, they will need to sign it too.