Code of Pastoral Conduct

3. Conduct With Minors

Clergy, staff, and volunteers working with minors shall maintain an open and trustworthy relationship between minors and adult supervisors.

3.1 Clergy, staff, and volunteers must be aware of their own and others’ vulnerability when working alone with minors. It is important to use a team approach to managing youth activities.

3.2 Physical contact with minors can be misconstrued and should occur (a) only when completely nonsexual and otherwise appropriate, and (b) never in private.

3.3 Clergy, staff, and volunteers should refrain from (a) the illegal possession and/or illegal use of drugs and/or alcohol at all times, and (b) the use of alcohol when working with minors.

3.4 Clergy should not allow minors, excluding relatives, to stay overnight in the cleric’s private accommodations or residence, excluding relatives.

3.5 Staff and volunteers should not provide shared, private, overnight accommodation for minors including, but not limited to, accommodations in any Church owned facility, private residence, hotel room, or any other place where there is no other adult supervision present.

3.5.1 In rare emergency, situations, when accommodation is necessary for the health and well-being of the minor, the clergy, staff, or volunteer should take extraordinary care to protect all parties from the appearance of impropriety and from all risk of harm.

3.5.2 Adults should use a team approach when managing emergency situations.