VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LEADERS

Scope

The Code of Conduct applies to all Pastoral Staff and Leadership Council Members. It should be read in conjunction with the Safe Church Policy Statements as well as the following procedure statements:

  • Procedure for Staff and Volunteers

  • Procedure for Responding to Child Protection Concerns

  • Procedure for Handling Complaints against Staff and Volunteers

  • Procedure for Conflict Resolution

As a member of Staff and/or the Leadership Team, I commit to:

  • God and His word, the Bible, and to sharing His message of salvation with others.
    I understand that only out of maintaining and growing my own relationship with God, am I able to minister to others. Therefore, I will seek to walk and live in step with the Holy Spirit.
  • The Pastors, Leadership Council, and fellow leaders of Menai Baptist Church.
    I commit to support them in the role God has called them to, modelling what it means to have godly relationships by the way I relate to those in leadership around me. I will never actively or intentionally seek to undermine their position in the church or community.
  • The life and ministry of the Church at MBC.
    I will join regularly in the life and ministry of MBC.
  • Prayer.
    I will seek to pray regularly for MBC and the ministries in which I am involved.
  • Supporting a Safe Space for children, young people and vulnerable adults attending, including upholding Safe Church practices in all MBC ministries.
  • Being accountable to my team and be a team player.
  • All MBC ministries, valuing and working in partnership with them.
  • Treating others with respect and treating every program participant fairly and equitably.
  • Love and care for my family (including paying attention to the effect of ministry on them)
  • Being available for team meetings and phoning when I am unavoidably unavailable.
  • Liaising with the Pastoral team and/or Safe Church Team about any needs / issues / pastoral support that I may become aware of with children / young people / families / vulnerable adults.
  • Acknowledge when I am out of my depth, or do not possess the required skill set in difficult pastoral situations (such as helping a victim of abuse, or a person who needs professional counselling), and seek help from the Safe Church Team or a Pastor.

2. With regard to the Safe Church Policy, Pastoral Staff and Leadership Council Members commit to:

  • Upholding, supporting and abiding by the Safe Church Policy
  • Responding to reasonable directions from the person with responsibility for the ministry I am involved in
  • Communicating with integrity, including wise and accountable use of electronic communication, including in accordance with Guidelines for Activities with Children and Young People
  • Not knowingly make false, misleading, or deceptive statements
  • Not engaging in bullying, harassment, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, of any person including my own family
  • Not acting violently or intentionally provoke violence
  • Upholding confidentiality; not disclosing any confidential information without the consent of the person providing the information (except where there is a legal obligation)
  • Reporting concerns about misconduct and/or abuse according to the Churchs Safe Church Policy and relevant procedures
  • Disclosing all relevant information as part of completing the Screening Check Questionnaire if I have not already done so
  • Disclosing to the Church Leadership if I am investigated for any criminal offences or have any knowledge of serious unlawful activity within the church context
  • Disclosing to the Church Leadership if I am investigated for any criminal offences or have any knowledge of serious unlawful activity within the church context
  • Acting with sexual purity, meaning I will:
    • Express my sexuality in healthy and God directed ways 
    • Restrict sexual intimacy to the confines of the marriage relationship where marriage has the same meaning as in the Marriage Rites of the Baptist Union of Australia (i.e. the union between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life)
      • (if an individual is unwilling or unable to commit to this requirement, church leaders may choose to endorse them as a volunteer for non-leadership roles)
    • Recognize that it is inappropriate to access any type of pornographic material and, if I struggle with this addiction, I will seek professional help
    • Ensure that romantic interactions are meaningfully consensual
    • Give consideration to any power imbalances in intimate relationships.
  • Acting with financial integrity, including:
    • Having accountable and transparent systems in place for financial matters
    • Not seeking personal advantage or financial gain from our position (other than in wages, recognised allowances and deductions).
  • Not taking or using property belonging to others without express consent, including intellectual property (copyright)
  • Not using any prohibited substance and be responsible in my use of substances that may be addictive (eg. prescriptions, alcohol)
  • Avoid ongoing counselling of people with whom I have pastoral relationships
  • Making alternative arrangements for pastoral ministry for any person with whom I may develop a romantic or intimate relationship.

I understand if there is a complaint against me relating to a breach of this Code of Conduct:

a) If it is a plausible complaint relating to Child Sexual Abuse or Sexual Misconduct involving a child or vulnerable adult, the Church may ask me to step aside from my duties while the complaint is being considered

b) If the complaint relates to serious misconduct and/or abuse (including Child Sexual Abuse) it will be reported to relevant government authorities in accordance with relevant legal requirements

c) I agree to participate in any process initiated under the Procedure for Resolving Conflict, Procedure for Handling Complaints against Staff and Volunteers and/or Procedure for Responding to Child Protection Concerns and agree to be bound by the outcomes of any such process, which may include termination of my employment/engagement as a staff member or volunteer with the Church.

If I am a Pastoral Staff member, I:

a) Agree to uphold and be bound by the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT Code of Ethics and Conduct

b) Understand that a breach of the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT Code of Ethics and Conduct will be considered a breach of this Code of Conduct

c) (if I am an Accredited or Recognised Minister) agree to participate in and be bound by the outcomes of, any process initiated under the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT Procedures for Handling Allegations.

have read and agree to be bound by and uphold the Staff and Leadership Code of Conduct

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