From: Darrell128@aol.com Date: Sat, 17 Jun 1995 04:05:23 -0400 Subject: NR 064: Synod Approves Abuse Guidelines for Church Leaders NR #1995-064: For Immediate Release "The Church Needs to be Cleansed": Synod Approves Guidelines for Abuse Allegations Against Church Leaders by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer United Reformed News Service GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 15, 1995) URNS - Responding to over forty reports of abuse by church leaders received during the last six months, the Christian Reformed synod voted on June 15 to adopt a set of guidelines proposed by its Abuse Prevention Committee establishing procedures for handling physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and spiritual abuse. Beth Swagman, the newly-appointed CRC Abuse Prevention director, told synod that the guidelines were prepared in formal consultation with Calvin Seminary church polity professor Dr. Henry De Moor, CRC General Secretary Dr. David Engelhard, and the United States legal counsel for the CRC. Less formal consultations also occurred with other experts, including a Canadian attorney, Swagman said. "We have put together a very solid set of procedures, they are being tested, they are being used," said Swagman, noting that sticking to the guidelines could help churches avoid civil lawsuits and that while churches could deviate from the guidelines they should do so only with the advice of legal counsel. One key feature of the proposed abuse policy is the creation of abuse response teams in each classis from which the members of a non-judicial "hearing panel" would be selected to provide advice on the "gravity and probable veracity" of accusations of abuse. If desired by the abuse response team, the abuse-prevention director would provide training in evaluating such cases. However, Elder Wietse Posthumus, synod delegate from Classis Toronto and the CRC's official legal counsel for Canadian matters, told the delegates that he had not been consulted about the guidelines and that lack of evidence procedures for the classical "hearing panels" could result in additional legal problems. "This document, it does protect the denomination, but it gives little help to councils when classis turns this over to you and says you need to handle this," said Posthumus. "Many people who have allegations of abuse do not feel comfortable coming forward under the current church order articles," responded Swagman. "People who conduct these hearing panels will be very helpful to you," said Swagman, noting that each local church council will still be required by the church order to conduct their own hearings after receiving advice from the classical hearing panel. "You yourselves will not have to become experts on abuse, but will be available to help you decide, yes, this is abuse, or no, this is not abuse." Other delegates also expressed concerns about the rights of those accused. "In the Bible, if you make certain allegations you'd better be prepared to provide two or three witnesses," noted Rev. Rich Blauw, a delegate from Classis Illiana who said he had been a social services caseworker for five years prior entering the pastorate. "I realize in abuse cases many of these things may occur in private, but I'm very concerned that some of these things may result in procedures like those of the Star Chamber that occurred two or three hundred years ago." Dr. George Marsden from Classis Kalamazoo argued not only that the evidence procedures were weak but also that the definitions of abuse were too broad. "The language here seems to be so broad as to include almost anything that a person does," said Marsden. "Even preaching could be considered coercive. It seems to me that if it continues to be worded this way it opens ourselves up to allegations that people have been diminished by normal church activities." "We're not talking about people walking away from a Sunday service disgruntled," responded Swagman. "We're talking about things that if you see it, you smell it, you taste it, you know it," said Swagman, noting an example of a highly talented musician whose pastor told her for eight years that she could use her musical gifts in church only when he said she could do so. A second example given of neglect involved a church which had promised to provide adult supervision for an event, did not do so, and was sued following an alleged case of abuse. Swagman said the court may level a significant monetary judgment against the church for its failure to fulfill its promise of adult supervision. While thanking Swagman for her examples, Rev. Roger Sparks of Classis Iakota questioned whether some of the things that could be covered by the guidelines qualified as abuse. Rev. Warren Lammers, also of Classis Iakota, said he acknowledged the problem of abuse but was concerned by perceived overbroad language. "There are a lot of good ideas floating around in this report," said Lammers. "I don't like the fact that they are floating. Would it be out of order to recommit this to the committee to take some of the slop out of it?" Despite the concerns, synod approved the guidelines by a sizeable voice vote. In a subsequent interview, Swagman said her musical example was intended as only one example of a pattern of abusive pastoral practices. "It would be very unusual to find only one person come forward with an accusation of spiritual abuse," said Swagman, noting that if the spiritual abuse was part of a pattern of such conduct suggested remedial actions short of formal church discipline could include instructing the pastor to write a letter of apology, utilizing the gifts of the person involved, or issuing a verbal or written reprimand. Swagman also said - and later informed synod - that she would be formally consulting with the CRC's designated Canadian legal counsel for further advice on Canadian law. Swagman said the criticism was not unexpected but affirmed the importance of establishing a clear policy to handle abuse cases. "The church needs to be cleansed," said Swagman. Cross-References to Related Articles: [No related articles on file] Contact List: Mr. Tim Penning or Mrs. Bonny Wynia, Christian Reformed Synodical News Office Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 * O: (616) 957-8652 * FAX: (616) 957-8551 To Reach Delegates During Synod: (616) 957-6000 Pre-Recorded CRC Synod Hotline: (616) 957-8654 Ms. Beth Swagman, Abuse-Prevention Director, Christian Reformed Church in North America 2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49560 * O: (616) 246-0735 * FAX: (616) 246-0834 ------------------------------------------------ file: /pub/resources/text/reformed: nr95-064.txt .