Overture 42
On Amending G-14.0701 to Name Certified Christian
Educators as Mandated Reporters in Cases of Abuse of Minors
or Adults Lacking Mental Capacity—From the Presbytery
of Genesee Valley.
The Presbytery of Genesee Valley respectfully
overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) to direct the Stated Clerk to send the following
proposed amendment to the Book of Order, section G-14.0701,
to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:
Shall G-14.0701 of the Form of Government be amended by adding
a new section “d.” to read as follows:
[Text to be added is shown as italic.]
“d Certified Christian educators
and certified associate Christian educators shall report to
ecclesiastical and civil legal authorities knowledge gained
in the course of service to the church, of harm, or risk of
harm, related to the physical abuse, neglect, and/or sexual
molestation or abuse of a minor or an adult who lacks mental
capacity when he or she reasonably believes that there is risk
of future physical harm or abuse.”
Rationale
The 216th General Assembly (2004) and a majority
of the presbyteries approved amending G-6.0204 (regarding ministers
of Word and Sacrament), G-6.0304 (regarding elders), and G-6.0402
(regarding deacons) so that all three offices of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) are church-mandated reporters of physical abuse,
neglect, and/or sexual molestation or abuse of a minor or an
adult who lacks mental capacity. Without specifically mentioning
the role of commissioned lay pastor (CLP), the amending of G-6.0304
inherently applies to the CLP role because, by definition, every
CLP is an elder (G-14.0801). However, the newly enacted amendments
do not inherently apply to the two roles of certified Christian
educator, because not all certified Christian educators are
elders.
It is the intent of this overture to extend
the church’s position regarding mandated reporting to
both designated certified Christian educator roles in G-14.0701,
the certified Christian educator (CCE) and the certified associate
Christian educator (CACE).
Persons who are called to and employed in
the ministry of Christian education in our church are expected
to “share the responsibility of providing for the spiritual
growth of members for their ministry. . .” (G-14.0701b).
It is ethically consistent for the church to expect our accredited
Christian educators to adhere to the same standard of practice
for officers of the church in circumstances where children,
minors, or adults who lack mental capacity may be at risk for
harm or abuse. If we entrust people who are vulnerable into
the care and ministry of those who are specifically accredited
to provide Christian education in our church, then extending
this standard of practice regarding mandated reporting will
have both symbolic and practical value in order to demonstrate
our commitment to the spiritual well-being of all the people
of Jesus Christ.
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