Safe Church and Relationships
Erb St. Mennonite Church has created:
- Policies and procedures to guide how we strive to be in relationship with each other as a worshipping community;
- A process for addressing conflict, concerns and/or difficulties in the congregation;
- An overarching Safe Church Policy as a framework for healthy relationships in order to prevent the abuse of those who are vulnerable among us, including children.
The three documents below outline our understandings and commitment. By design, all three complement and inform one another, and so should be interpreted or implemented in consideration of one another.
ESMC Conflict Resolution Process (2024)
The goal of the ESMC Conflict Resolution Process is to provide an opportunity for anyone in our church community to address concerns and resolve differences with a Pastor, staff member or a congregant. The process supports the early identification of conflicts and/or performance issues and follows the teachings of Mathew 18:15-17. Read more.
A covenant of loving relationships at Erb Street Mennonite Church (2023)
In thought, deed, and word, God is Love. We commit, to God and to one another, that we will seek to live out this love in our relationships.
We commit:
- to listening to one another the way we listen for God: in love, with open minds and hearts;
- to giving and receiving counsel in that same spirit, for shared learning and growth;
- to honesty in our communication;
- to caring for each person as God’s beloved child, knowing we are God’s hands and feet for one another;
- to recognizing when we may fall short of these commitments, and, when we do, to working towards the repair of our relationships.
The Church has spiritual, moral, legal and societal obligations to ensure a safe environment for all young people and adults participating in its programs. Spiritual and moral obligations are reflected in various scriptures. As a congregation we accept the call to nurture and care for our congregants (in particular children, young people and vulnerable adults). Recognizing the fallibility of humans, the congregation accepts its responsibility to implement clear policies and procedures to minimize the risk of abusing not only those who are vulnerable but also anyone within our congregation. We accept responsibility to educate and engage in prevention activities in order to create a safe space for all.