ARKANSAS CONFERENCE 2008 JOURNAL
1 exploitation of a power relationship rather than as an exclusively sexual issue.
2 Misconduct of a sexual nature within the life of the church interferes with its moral mission. The
3 _________________________ United Methodist Church
4 stands in opposition to the sin of misconduct of a sexual nature in the Church and society at large and commits
5 itself to fair and expedient investigation of any charge of sexual misconduct within the church and to take action
6 deemed appropriate and in compliance with the Book of Discipline. Further, the United Methodist Church bears
7 affirmative responsibility to create an environment of hospitality for all persons, male or female, which is free of
8 misconduct of a sexual nature and encourages respect, equality and kinship in Christ.
9 II. Procedures
10 A. If you experience what you consider to be inappropriate behavior, keep a written record of your experiences
11 including dates, times, places, and witnesses. Keep any written material you may have received from the
12 person.
13 You may wish to confront the person with the inappropriate behavior and demand that it cease.
14 If you choose not to confront the person alone, you may choose to ask someone to accompany you to
15 confront the person and seek reconciliation.
16 If you choose not to confront the person, or if the behavior continues, report the incident to the chair
17 of the person's appropriate evaluating committee (e.g., a pastor or church staff member would be reported
18 to the chair of the staff/parish relations committee; a district superintendent to the chair of the committee on
19 superintendency; a bishop to the chair of the committee on episcopacy).
20 If the conflict is not resolved to your satisfaction, the committee chair shall convene the entire com-
21 mittee to meet with the accused, the person bringing the accusations, and each supporting person.
22 If the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction following these efforts, then follow the Discipline's
23 procedures for grievances, complaints, and charges.
24 B. If you are confronted by someone who has experienced or observed inappropriate behavior on your part,
25 listen to the accusation and agree to change the behavior or otherwise resolve the situation and reconcile the
26 relationship.
27 If you are unable to resolve the situation with your accuser, contact the chair of your appropriate
28 evaluating committee. Ask to meet with your accuser and committee chair to resolve the conflict. The
29 accused and the person bringing the accusation each has the right to bring a supportive person to this
30 meeting.
31 If the conflict remains unresolved, the committee chair shall convene the entire committee to meet
32 with the accused, the person bringing the accusations, and each supporting person.
33 C. If you receive a report of inappropriate behavior, listen seriously and objectively. Help the person follow
34 the steps outlined above.
35 If you are a clergy/church professional in a paid supervisory position in the local church or a confer-
36 ence agency, and an employee is being harassed, you should immediately take corrective or preventative
37 action.
38 According to Arkansas law, any person receiving a report from a child under age 18, indicating sexual
39 abuse of that child, is required to report the abuse to the proper authorities.
40 Date adopted by the Church Council/Administrative Board ____/___/___
41 Signatures of Administrative Board or Church Council
42 __________________ _________________________
43 __________________ _________________________
44
45
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47
48
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51 †††
52
499
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