Sexual Ethics
The Kansas East Conference takes issues of ethics seriously. Every four years, conference lay staff and all clergy are required to attend training in sexual ethics. The conference has sexual ethics policies for clergy, lay staff and for members of local churches. These policies are rooted in the United Methodist Book of Discipline.
Conference and District Policies:
The Kansas East Annual Conference has three policies related to sexual ethics.
Sexual Ethics Policy for Church Professionals - This applies to persons serving in a ministerial role, including clergy regardless of status and regardless of the setting for ministry.
Sexual Ethics Policy for Lay Employees and Volunteers - This applies to lay employees and volunteers at the conference and district level.
Sexual Ethics Policy for Professing Members - This policy applies to laity who are professing members of the United Methodist Church in their relationship with clergy, regardless of the clergy's status or ministry setting. This is a new policy adopted at the 2009 Annual Conference and updated by the Leadership Team on Oct. 3, 2009.
Report a breach in sexual ethics using our toll-free phone number: 877-771-7003
Safe Gatherings
All who work in a ministerial role with children, youth and/or developmentally disabled adults also are required to become certified through the online Safe Gatherings program. This new program replaces the former Safe and Sacred Spaces training and certification. All paid or unpaid staff, lay or clergy, who have direct or indirect contact with children, youth and/or developmentally disabled adults must complete Safe and Sacred Space training and become certified to participate in conference or district events or activities for children, youth and/or developmentally disabled adults.
For Safe Gatherings information, visit our Safe Gatherings page.
Local Church Policy Models:
Local churches are strongly encouraged to adopt their own policies including the ones listed below.
Local Church Sexual Ethics Policy for Lay Employees and Volunteers
Policies and Procedures When You Have a Sex Offender in Your Church
Local Church Computer Use Policy
Local Church Policy for Protection of Chilren, Youth, and Adults with Developmental Disablilities
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
General Commission on the Status and Role of Women:
Sexual ethics important information and resources are available from the United Methodist General Commission on the Role and Status of Women at www.umsexualethics.org/. To keep in the loop with other commission happenings, check their Web site and subscribe to the "The Flyer" e-news.
CyberSafety Training Kit for families and churches
A new training CD developed by the General Board of Disicpleship (GBOD) is now available to help churches and community groups protect children and youth from the perils of the digital world of cell phones and cyberspace.
The CyberSafety for Families Training Kit allows the church to be more directly involved in providing awareness and training around technology to help ensure children and youth are protected as they navigate the Internet world.
The training kit's CD includes a section on "what you need to know first," a planning guide, teaching plans with schedule options, handouts and a slide presentation. Subjects include safety in the high tech world of computers, cell phones, video games and social networking Web sites.
The kit is available for $35 plus shipping from The Upper Room (www.upperroom.org) and Cokesbury (www.cokesbury.com) and also at Cokesbury bookstores nationwide.