Ministry Description for the Position of Safe Church Minister

Objective:

The objective of the Safe Church Minister is to ensure that Safe Church practices and policies are clearly communicated for every parishioner and faithfully followed in the life and practices of the congregation.

Responsibilities:

`Be informed and remain current on the Safer Church policy as established by the Bishop’s office.

`See to it that the local congregation adopts a Safe Church policy that at minimum meets the Diocesan standard. (This policy should be ratified by the vestry/Bishop’s committee of the local congregation.)

`Be responsible for the clear display of the congregation’s policy so that all members might have ample opportunity to be informed of this policy.

`Serve as consultant to the clergy person and vestry/Bishop’s committee regarding Safe Church practices.

`Serve as overseer of these practices, reporting all questionable or non-standard practices to the clergy person or warden.

`Ensure that all required screening has occurred for those mandated by the Safe Church Policy. (This does not mean that the Safe Church Minister should have access to the screening results.)

`Ensure that those mandated by the Safe Church policy have attended the necessary Diocesan trainings.

`Ensure that the annual Safe Church audit is completed as required.

`Cooperate with convocation peers when appropriate, including assisting near by congregations in the completion of their own annual audit.

`Communicate with the Diocesan Safe Church Coordinator when necessary.

 Qualifications:

f Completion of Diocesean Safer Church training.

f Active member (lay or ordained) of the congregation (excluding the rector/vicar)

f Successful completion of mandated background checks