Regulations for Reinstatement of Office Bearers Guilty of Sexual Misconduct
When reinstatement is requested by a former officebearer who
confessed to or was determined to be guilty of sexual misconduct
leading up to suspension and deposition from office:
1. Reinstatement to office shall be denied to individuals
who:
a. Confessed to or are determined to be guilty of sexual
misconduct against a minor.
b. Confessed to or are determined to be guilty of sexual
misconduct against more than one victim in a single church or
community.
c. Confessed to or are determined to be guilty of sexual
misconduct in more than one community or church.
d. Confessed to or are determined to be guilty of sexual
misconduct and other related ungodly conduct.
Examples of related ungodly conduct include but are not limited
to engaging in adult or child pornography, engaging a prostitute
for sexual contact, exhibitionistic or voyeuristic behavior,
attending a nudist camp, sexual addiction, and so forth.
2. Councils and classes shall not reinstate a former officebearer
suspended or deposed for sexual misconduct or ungodly conduct not
covered in items 1, a-d without receiving the advice of legal
counsel concerning the church’s liability and the advice of a
Christian licensed psychologist concerning the likelihood of an
officebearer’s reoffending.
Note: In Church Order Article 84 and its Supplement, the expression sexual misconduct is defined as: The sexual exploitation of a parishioner, minor or adult, regardless of age or consent, for the purposes of sexual gratification and maintaining control over the person. The expression determined abuser is defined as: An officebearer who either confesses to or is adjudicated to be guilty of sexual misconduct by a court of competent jurisdiction or an ecclesiastical assembly.
(Acts of Synod 2004, pp. 611-12)