Sexual Misconduct, Prevention, Support

The North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church is committed to the well-being of all United Methodists in the Conference and maintaining ethical and healthy relationships between pastors, lay leaders and the persons they serve. 

The North Texas Conference has a zero-tolerance policy regarding any sexual misconduct either by clergy or lay people. The church should be a safe space where all people are valued as children of God, and those who have experienced hurt within its walls or ministries should be supported and protected.

Several resources are provided here to guide individuals, churches, leadership teams and ministries. These include:  

• Definitions regarding sexual ethics and misconduct
• Conference policies and procedures for ethics, misconduct and safety as well as guidance for creating local church policies
• Educational and informational brochures and handouts
• Guidance for reporting misconduct
• Information regarding working with sex-offenders

 

Definitions

• Terms Regarding Sexual Ethics, Misconduct and The United Methodist Church

 

Policies and Procedures

• NTC Personal Conduct/Sexual Ethics Policies
• NTC Ministry Safe Policies and Procedures
• Guidelines for Creating Local Church Sexual Ethics and Misconduct Policies and Procedures
• Checklist for Creating Sexual Ethics Policies and Procedures
• Policies from other United Methodist Conferences

 

Brochures and Handouts

• Appropriate Professional Boundaries
• Clergy Sexual Misconduct/Conducta sexual inapropiada por clero 
  • English
  • en Español
• Sexual Harassment by a Congregant/Acoso sexual por congregantes 
  • English
  • en Español
• NTC Sexual Harassment Pamphlet
• Sexual Ethics Flyer

 

Reporting

• How to Report Sexual Misconduct (Clergy and Lay)

• Do No More Harm: Step-by-Step Guide of the Formal Complaint Process 

• Contact Information for District Superintendents and Bishop’s Office
• Advocacy and Resource Persons
• Sample Incident Report (use to gather information for informal complaint)
• Misconduct Report Form (use for filing a formal complaint)
• Reporting Sexual Misconduct - Victims Under Age 17

• Clergy Mandate to Report

 

Sex Offenders and Church Participation Protocols

• Church Participation and Sex Offenders

 

Resources and Training

• Articles:
  • Why It’s Not an Affair
  • The Temptation to Investigate: Resist and Report
  • Understanding the Role of Power
• Clergy on-line training: Understanding Clergy Sexual Ethics
• A Sacred Trust Clergy Education
• District Superintendent Handbook: Responding Well to Sexual Misconduct Complaints
• Resource Persons/Advocacy

• Crisis Response and Care Team Ministry for Congregational Crisis

• UMsexualethics.org
• My Rights - What to Expect When a Complaint is Being Investigated
• Ministry Safe for Children and Youth
• Integrity Project:
  • Leader guide
  • Participant guide
• Me Too Toolkit
• Clergy Resources