Background
National Hui 2023 gave the Assembly Council, through the National Support Centre, a mandate to develop a safety mechanism for dealing with serious misconduct by pastoral staff. You can read the 2023 pre-Hui reading material, as well as a summary of the Hui session ‘Big Bite 3’ online here.
In December 2023 a group was established tasked with developing this mechanism, and ensuring it would fit within the current Baptist Union of New Zealand (BUNZ) safety ecosystem. The Serious Misconduct Process (SMP) is the realisation of this work.
Consultation was undertaken with a focus group and senior BUNZ leadership, the result of which was the publication of a White Paper.
Consultation
The Serious Misconduct Process White Paper was published in May 2024 for feedback and consultation over a three-month period. The proposal was discussed at five regional hui and an online forum. There was great engagement and feedback on the paper, including 33 individual and joint written submissions being received. Further advice was sought from legal experts and policy writers.
Common themes from the feedback were:
- The local church should have greater involvement in the mechanism process
- How does an external process like this fit within the framework of Baptist ecclesiology?
- Where does support for the victim/s sit?
- The thresholds for serious misconduct need clear definition
- Could/should we have compulsory registration?
- Concern about confidentiality for both victim and respondent if too many people involved.
- How the cost of the investigation will be met
The Green Paper
The Working Group, having taken all feedback and advice into account, including from a subcommittee of the Assembly Council, made adjustments and in August submitted a Green Paper to the Assembly Council. Supporting information, much of which addresses feedback received, is included in a Frequently Asked Questions document along with an article by Baptist Theologian Martin Sutherland on Baptist polity and a serious misconduct policy. The Green Paper, FAQ and article by Sutherland are available in one 17-page PDF, please ask your church administrator/office person, or pastoral staff for the password to this document.
NOTE: This document was updated 22 October 2024: Section 4.5.1 has one addition highlighted in yellow:
Serious Misconduct Process Green Paper and supporting information 2 Sept 2024 Updated 22 Oct.pdf
Next Stages
The Assembly Council has approved for publication the proposed Serious Misconduct Process, including the voting option for National Hui, November2024.
If the Serious Misconduct Process is accepted by the Hui delegates further work will need to be completed in 2025 regarding implementation. A suggested clause for inclusion in a local church’s constitution is available for churches who wish to opt-in to the process prior to National Hui 2025. See FAQ #16.
Karen Warner
Leadership Coordination Director, Baptist National Support Centre
[email protected]
Audio summary
For an eleven-minute audio summary of the proposed Serious Misconduct Process you can listen to a conversation between Karen Warner and Wayne Schache at the National Support Centre published on 2 September 2024, on The Lowdown – National Hui 2024 podcast. Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or find it on the Baptist NZ app (How to download our app):
The proposed serious misconduct process
Karen Warner and Wayne Schache from the Baptist National Support Centre give us the lowdown on the proposed Serious Misconduct Process. This conversation is a…
Article on Baptist Polity
Written by Martin Sutherland, Baptist Theologian and Pastor:
Baptist Polity and a Serious Misconduct Policy
The proposals redefine aspects of local church responsibility, but do not threaten it on any fundamental questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
These questions are answered on pages 11-15 of the Serious Misconduct Process Green Paper PDF:
1. Who does the Serious Misconduct Process cover and why?
2. How can a complaint be made?
3. Can or should the church do an internal audit to clarify the facts or truth of the accusation
before reporting?
4. How often are allegations of serious misconduct by pastoral staff received by the BUNZ
Complaints Team?
5. Who pays for the investigation?
6. What if the allegation is criminal in nature?
7. What happens regarding support for the victim/s?
8. What is spiritual abuse?
9. Who gets what information and when, including respondent and victim?
10. ‘Censure’ is a very harsh sounding response. Is there more to it than that?
11. When will the respondent be stood down and what does this mean?
12. What happens when there is a conflict of interest with the Assembly Council
representative or other Panel members?
13. Why has the name, make-up and authority of the originally named Representatives group
been changed?
14. Who is an appropriate investigator?
15. Why do we not have compulsory registration, and can we require mandatory reporting?
16. If National Hui 2024 approves the motion to adopt the Serious Misconduct Process how
will it be implemented ?
17. How does this process interact with the recommendations in the Royal Commission Inquiry
into Abuse in Care findings?
Latest articles and news on Baptist NZ
Gospel renewal stories
The annual update from our National Leader, Charles Hewlett, for 2024.
Looking back and looking ahead: A New Year’s reflection
The thin space and sacred moment of New Year’s is the perfect time to look back, review our diaries, and remember how God has helped…
Daily Christmas Readings: Sunday 29 December to Monday 6 January
The final week of readings and prayers for Advent and through Christmas, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
Pondering: Are we selective when we talk about Gospel renewal and justice?
An opinion piece sharing a perspective on the war in Gaza.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 22 December to Saturday 28 December
The fourth week of readings and prayers for Advent, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
Introducing Allan Taylor, 2025 President of the Baptist Union
Allan Taylor will focus on pastors and prayer in his term as President of the Baptist Union.
National Council meeting December 2024
Reports from subcommittees | Strategic direction setting | National Leader search process | Meeting with Te Whāriki
Call for expressions of interest: Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry Response Group
We (Baptist churches) are establishing a group to ensure the action we take is thorough and well informed.
How to make a submission on the Treaty Principles Bill
Submissions close 7 January. Here are some resources to help you learn more about Te Tiriti and show you how to make your submissions.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 15 December to Saturday 21 December
The third week of readings and prayers for Advent, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
Principal: Expressions of interest
We are at the beginning of the process for recruiting a new Principal for Carey Baptist College.
Salt of the earth: Salty people
Transitioning into a new season, Kev acknowledges four remarkable 'salt' people in his final 'Salt of the Earth'.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 8 December to Saturday 14 December
The second week of readings and prayers for Advent, provided by Arotahi, our missionary society.
‘Tis the season…for Baptist Registrations!
At our National Hui last month, we celebrated 36 people becoming fully registered pastors, chaplains, kaiārahi Māori, ministry/mission and Baptist entity leaders.
A lament for women in the Baptist movement
A powerful lament given by Baptist Women New Zealand to 2024 National Hui delegates acknowledging the negative experiences of some women in our movement.
Being people of justice and peace
A space for Young Adults to connect and listen to God's voice on matters of justice found in scripture.
Daily Advent Readings: Sunday 1 December to Saturday 7 December
The first seven days of readings and prayers for each day of Advent, provided by Arotahi our missionary society.
Pondering: Why I don’t support the Treaty of Waitangi Principles Bill
The Treaty of Waitangi Principles Bill could have far-reaching negative implications for New Zealand’s social fabric, says Dave Tims.
Word and World: The preaching ministry of J.J. North
J.J. North, arguably the most influential leader in the history of New Zealand’s Baptist movement, helped shape New Zealand Baptist identity and convictions in the…
Latest podcasts on Baptist NZ
Dan Cuttriss: 2 Timothy 2:1-13
Remain faithful to the work of the gospel, be strong, embrace suffering, have hope.
Elijah Brown: The work of Jesus
Baptist World Alliance Chief Executive Elijah Brown shares stories of Baptists living out kingdom courage and compassion in places of war, persecution and extreme hunger.
Nicola Mountfort Griffiths: 2 Timothy 1:1-18
In Paul’s last letter to Timothy, he urges him to keep going even though it’s tough and rekindle the fire of the Holy Spirit so…
Bill Dewar: Serving those who serve
Military chaplain Bill Dewar came reluctantly to faith but has obeyed God's call on his life ever since. In this episode, he talks about why…
Season 3 Finale, with Special Guests
As we close out 2024, we’ve got a couple of special guests commenting on what stood from the last year or so of episodes. Have…
Susan Osborne: What I learned as your President
After 45 busy years with the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society (Arotahi), Susan Osborne thought she'd take things easy. But God had other ideas...In this…
Sam Kilpatrick: Titus 1
The church leader, Titus, is left behind on the island of Crete to help the quickly expanding local gatherings of ‘The Way’ seek good leadership.…
Greg Morris: My biggest battle
Oxford Baptist Church pastor Greg Morris talks about how our extraordinary God uses ordinary people (like him) to fulfil His mission.
The heart of the pastor
As we wrap up the year, John Tucker opens up about his love for pastoral ministry. We pray that listening to John's heartfelt reflections will inspire…
Gospel Impact Labs
Justice, mercy and humility form the framework for a new initiative at National Hui: Gospel Impact Labs. Hear about ten different labs where delegates can…
The power of young voices: Shaping our future, with Sarah Finlay Robinson
With the reality of less and less children and young people in our churches, perhaps it is time to listen to those who work directly…
The pastor as a child of God
We explore the vital connection between our relationship with God and the pressures of pastoral leadership. Join us as Luke shares his story of how…
Te Rongopai maa te tangata me ngaa waahi
The 2024 annual report from Luke Kaa-Morgan, Te Pouarataki mō te Hīkoi on behalf of Baptist Māori and Te Whāriki.
Gospel renewal stories
The 2024 annual report from Charles Hewlett, National Leader of the Baptist Union of New Zealand.
Growing Young: Revitalising the church from the grassroots
The 2024 annual report from Ethan Miller, Youth Catalyst at the Baptist National Support Centre.
Love as Jesus does
The 2024 annual report for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty and Eastland Baptist Associations, by Regional Leader Peter Foster.
Towards being a biblical whānau of faith communities
The 2024 annual report for the Northern Baptist Association by Regional Leader Reti Ah-Voa.
Associating can be so enriching
The annual report for the Upper South Baptist Association from Regional Leader Chris Chamberlain.
Churches that enjoy being in union together desire to connect
The 2024 annual report from Mike Crudge, Communications Director at the Baptist National Support Centre.
Alex Penk: A just cause
Alex Penk is the CEO of Ethos Alliance and a member of Titirangi Baptist Church. Alex reflects on his work as a human rights advocate…
Supporting our Baptist churches in their mission
The 2024 annual report for Arotahi, read by Alan Jamieson.
What is the DNA of a Baptist, really?
From Arotahi (NZBMS) - for anyone to listen to even if you're not a Hui delegate! Written by Alan Jamieson & Kelly Stubbs, read by…
Five ways the Lord has blessed our college
Carey Baptist College's annual report from Principal John Tucker.
Safe, healthy, robust leaders
The annual report from Karen Warner, Leadership Co-ordination Director at the Baptist National Support Centre.