Ministry Standards – what to expect
Those who undertake ministry for the Church, including administrative and voluntary work, are its public face. As such, we expect all those engaged in its work, paid and unpaid, to reflect by their words and actions a commitment to the mission and life of the Church as the earthly body of Jesus Christ.
Our calling is always into relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and with our neighbour. These relationships infer responsibility for the promotion of human dignity and for drawing all humankind into the continuing work of God among us. The Code of Ethics is applicable to all who minister or work for the Church in the Diocese of Nelson and is a step towards supporting, informing and ensuring these relationships. All who come into contact with the Church can expect standards of conduct consistent with this Code. Please see Code of Ethics - Some Explanatory Examples for more information about the Code.
Clergy and lay people who minister to others are also expected to follow the safe ministry and training requirements of SafeHere, the safe ministry system adopted in the Diocese of Nelson. SafeHere sets out expectations for ministry to ensure the physical, emotional and spiritual safety of both those who minister and those being ministered to.
Finally, those who minister under license to the Bishop (such as clergy and some lay leaders), and lay people who hold office in the church (such as vestry members and wardens), must also comply with the standards of ministry set out in
Title D of the Canons of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Title D also sets out a complaints procedure where these Standards of Ministry have not been met.
If you are aware of, or have experienced, a breach of ministry standards by anyone working for or ministering in the Diocese of Nelson, and wish to inquire about making a complaint please refer to the Complaints Policy.
Royal Commission on Abuse in Care
BISHOP Steve Maina — 22 November, 2019
You will be aware that the Royal Commission has begun its work and has recently been involved in contextual hearings.
The Commission's Website says:
"The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is looking into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care between 1950 and 1999.” The focus of the Commission is on 'Abuse in Care' with reference to:
1. State-run institutions
2. Faith-based institutions
The extent of (2) includes our care of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our churches, schools, orphanages, elder care homes, and other ministries governed and managed by Anglican Social Services/Anglican Care.
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, including the Diocese of Nelson, is committed to engaging with the Commission and its work, and will do everything it can to assist the Commission fulfilling its purposes. The Diocese of Nelson is encouraging submissions to be made to the Commission by survivors of abuse in its care. Contact details for communicating with the Commission are:
Phone: 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday (NZT) 0800 222 727 [Calling from Australia, 1800 875 745]
Email: contact@abuseincare.org.nz
Mail:
Royal Commission of Inquiry
PO Box 10071
The Terrace
Wellington 6143
If this raises issues that affect you directly, I am happy to meet with you. Please contact me through the Diocesan office: bishops.pa@nelsonanglican.nz
+ Steve
This statement forms part of a settlement agreement between a parisioner of the Anglican Church and the Bishop of Nelson in respect of proceedings filed in the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
