The region is the holder of recognition for ABC clergy who serve its churches. The concept of recognition may seem strange but is easily explained. Because of our local church autonomy, the denomination does not ordain, but the local church does. Because of that same autonomy the local church calls and employs clergy of their choice. The regions responsibility to to have watch care over what the local church is free to do. The region recognizes the ordination of clergy the local church calls. When clergy violate the high calling of Christ in moral and ethical areas they are at risk of losing that recognition. In a worse case scenario the loss of that recognition means the clergy are not free to move throughout the ABC-USA with recognition. A potential loss of recognition does not remove a clergy from their church because that is local church decision. In any case the region has an obligation to its clergy and its congregations to address the issues raised.

If you are personally aware of a case of clergy misconduct it is necessary that you provide the allegations in writing to the Executive Minister of the Region. The allegations must be specific in content, made in writing, and signed. These allegations, which may come from Region staff, other professional church leaders or from lay persons, are to be related to the following categories.

Delinquency of a moral, ethical, or financial nature which brings the church into disrepute.

Violation of the expectation the church has for ethical behavior for its professional church leaders, as articulated in the Covenant and Code of Ethics for Professional Church Leaders of the ABC/USA.

Dr Larry Mason
1350 N Delaware St
Indianapolis, IN 46202

This letter will activate a process called CROMS (Committee for Review of Ministerial Standing). The highlighted link will give you an overview of the CROMS process and will explain your expected participation. If you desire any additional information please contact Dr Mason or any of the region staff.

The following paragraphs set forth some of the rationale for the process.

In the context of the ongoing care for the churches and their professional church leaders, there are occasions in which allegations may be raised about a professional church leader. Frequently these allegations are handled within the ongoing service and care of the Region. In those rare instances in which a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, it may be necessary to have a more formal process of review of recognition of ordination with professional church leaders. This review must be seen as part of an ongoing process of care in which a concern for justice, reconciliation, and healing, for both the congregation and the individual(s), is a primary goal of the process. For this reason all participants shall exercise great care to assure that the allegations and the process shall remain confidential unless some decision is reached which requires notification.

One of the reasons for which a Region exists is to strengthen the spiritual health and vitality of its constituent churches and their professional leaders. Programs, services, and pastoral care are ways in which this central concern is expressed for local churches and their professional leadership. Personal, professional, and pastoral care for professional church leaders is an ongoing process. One aspect of that process is the area of recognition of ordination, by which the whole denominational family gives affirmation and support to clergy.

The Commission of Professional Ministry of the Region has responsibilities for both the recognition of ordination and for the church's review of the recognition of ordination. This process is guided by the biblical mandate of Matthew 18:15-17. The goals are, first of all, to deal directly with the person (verse 15), then with a small, more informal group (verse 16), and only when the process has failed to bring resolution to move before the church, represented by the Commission of Professional Ministry (verse 17).

Every report of clergy misconduct involves unique people and unique circumstances. This statement of policy merely describes the general approach that the Region will follow in responding to reports of clergy misconduct. It will not be appropriate or even possible for the Region to follow this approach in every case. The Region reserves the right to depart from this statement of policy at any time for any reason.

When the Region provides pastoral care and leadership in the wake of clergy misconduct, it is performing acts of ministry. The freedom of the Region to decide for itself how God has called it to minister to those harmed by the clergy misconduct is a precious one that is constitutionally protected from governmental interference. The same is true of the Region's freedom to decide whose ordination it will recognize and the freedom of each congregation to decide who will preach and teach from its pulpit. Nothing in this statement of policy is intended to diminish these freedoms in any respect or to create any legal rights or responsibilities.

It must be stressed that this is an ecclesiastical process conducted within the confines of the church's structure and polity. It is NOT a legal process. Hence, parties involved are not bound by the dictates of the judicial system. We are, however, bound by our commitment to justice and fairness for all concerned. As an ecclesiastical process there is no official role or place for attorneys in this review process. If any involved parties wish to seek legal counsel, they must do so outside the official review process. Attorneys are not permitted to participate in the preliminary exploration, the review hearing or the appeal process.

When allegations about a professional church leader have not been resolved in the ongoing process of service and a care of a Region, then formal allegations are to be addressed to the Chair of the Commission of Professional Ministry.

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Questions? Comments?  Contact us at abcin@abc-indiana.org 
1350 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, Indiana  46202-2493
Ph (317) 635-3552/FAX (317) 635-3554
This page was last updated on February 18, 2008