The following mandate of the Classis Hamilton Safe Church Team was approved by Classis on September 23, 2003 at the Classis meeting in Burlington CRC.

CLASSIS HAMILTON SAFE CHURCH TEAM
MANDATE

The Classis Safe Church Team is a group of representatives of member churches. Each member of the team must be approved by Classis.

  1. Advisory Panel: The Safe Church Team, upon request of a local church executive committee or its equivalent, will convene an advisory panel according to the procedures approved by Synod when allegations of abuse are made against a church leader by an adult.
  2. Education: The Safe Church Team, upon request of a local church, will provide training, education, resources or workshops about various topics related to abuse.
  3. Support: The Safe Church Team, upon request of a local church, pastor or elder, will offer support services* to a victim of abuse, offender of abuse, and/or their family members.

*Support services may include: resources and suggested written material, phone calls, visits, accompanying persons to civil or criminal legal proceedings, making referrals for treatment/counseling, being a prayer partner.

Accountability:

  1. The team is accountable to classis.
  2. A written report of activities is to be prepared for each classis meeting. This report is to be attached to the classis agenda.

E-mail: classishamilton@bfree.on.ca