The Christian is grateful for God’s love and mercy. As members of the church we find ourselves faced by the needs represented by the mission of the church. It is this call to involvement that leads us to make responsible decisions regarding financial response commensurate with the need. When we as individual Christians give to the church, our giving testifies to the task and mission of the church and is integral with it.

By “commercialism” in the church we mean the ownership and management of income-producing properties and businesses and the selling of goods or services in the name of the church, with the purpose of securing funds to finance the programs and operations of the church, its congregations, auxiliaries and institutions. Such commercialism obscures the clear relationship between the giving of the Christian and the mission of the church: it fails to bear witness to this mission and creates a false image of the church.

Commercialism further weakens and impoverishes the spiritual life of the church and distorts the true sense of stewardship for the following reasons:

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Policy for Protection of Children, Youth and Other Vulnerable People in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

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MODEL DOCUMENTS

• Volunteer Ministry Covenant (Document A)
• Volunteer Application Form (Document B)
• Volunteer Interview Form (Document C)
• Volunteer References Verification Form (Document D)
• Volunteer Reference Verification Script (Document E)
• Volunteer Approval Form (Document F)
• Activity Permission Form (Document G)
• Medical Permission Form (Document H)
• Suspected Abuse Report Form (Document I)
• Suspected Abuse Follow-Up Report Form (Document J)

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Policy for Protection of Children, Youth and Other Vulnerable People in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

1. UNDERSTANDING THE NEED
REDUCING THE RISK OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF VULNERABLE PERSONS

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) has a mandate to minister to individuals, families, adults, youth and children. In that context, the ELCIC stresses the sanctity of human life and the importance and worth of each individual as a child of God.

The physical and sexual abuse of children has increasingly and properly claimed the attention of our society. In response, it is the commitment of the ELCIC to provide reasonable protective care to all preschoolers, children, youth and other vulnerable people involved in ministries or programs of the ELCIC.

Childhood innocence is a gift given by God. Children are naturally trusting. Children readily place their faith in adults who care for them. It is our responsibility as a church to safeguard that trust.

IT CAN HAPPEN IN ANY CHURCH

Incidents of abuse can occur in any church – including the ELCIC. Churches have traditionally accepted the services of anyone expressing an interest in working as a volunteer with children, youth or other vulnerable persons. Churches are by nature trusting institutions. Asking sensitive questions of those who are giving their time and talent can be seen as intrusive by church leaders. No one wants to offend potential volunteers, especially longtime church members with a history of good service. These realities can make a church susceptible to incidents of abuse. There are few topics that create more emotional turmoil than that of child abuse, especially if it is sexual in nature.

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An Introduction to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s Policy for Protection of Children, Youth and Other Vulnerable People (PPCYOVP)

April 2007

Feedback to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)’s National Office is that some leaders within our church have found working with the PPCYOVP to be a very involved process. To assist with congregations that are currently working on compliance with the ELCIC’s PPCYOVP, our National Church Council (NCC) requested that an introduction to the policy be prepared.

The PPCYOVP is an official policy of the ELCIC, as approved by NCC in March, 2004. It has eight sections:

1. Understanding the Need
2. Understanding Abuse
3. The Church’s Legal Vulnerability 4. Protection Procedures
5. Recruitment of Volunteers
6. Incident Reporting Procedures
7. Response to Allegations of Abuse 8. Implementation and Accountability

As well, the ELCIC provides 10 model documents to assist congregations with the implementation of this policy. These documents are labeled A to J and are referred to in the PPCYOVP.

At the heart of the PPCYOVP is the Ten Commitments. These commitments can be found on page 6 of the policy; to reduce risk in the ELCIC, all congregations and organization of our church are being asked to make these commitments. A copy of these commitments is attached to this document.

Guidelines for Common Worship for Lutherans and Anglicans in Canada

Proposed revision (March 2003) for the National Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and for the Council of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada

Introduction

In July, 2001, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada signed the Waterloo Declaration establishing a relationship of full communion between them. These guidelines have been prepared by the Joint Anglican Lutheran Commission of Canada to assist those who are preparing for occasions when Lutherans and Anglicans are worshipping together in this new relationship of full communion.

Principles of Common Planning

As both of our churches are rooted in the liturgical heritage of the West and in the Reformation, and are active participants in the liturgical movement, there is a great deal which we have in common in our present worship patterns. We both stress the centrality of both Word and Sacrament. There is a common shape to our eucharistic liturgies. We both use the Revised Common Lectionary. Nevertheless, we do have different traditions, and it will be important for worship planners to be sensitive to these differences. What is comfortable and familiar to one community may feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar to another.

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Guidelines for Anglican and Lutheran Priests and Pastors Serving Appointments in Each Other’s Churches

Proposed revision (March 2003) for the National Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and for the Council of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada

When an appointment is contemplated the following process shall be followed with the Terms of Appointment defined:

Eligibility

Only clergy in good standing with their own church are eligible for appointments. Normally, such an appointment would not be offered as a first call/appointment.

Initiative

When an appointment of priest or pastor to a congregation of the other church is contemplated, it must have the approval of both bishops concerned. The initiative may come from an ordained person, the local ministry setting, or the bishop.

Process

1. If priest or pastor wishes to be available for an appointment in the other church, that person should contact his/her own bishop who then consults with the counterpart bishop.

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