Faithfulness in Service, a revised draft national Code for the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and lay church workers, has been released for further public comment after extensive consultation with Anglicans earlier this year.
“We received overwhelming support for a national approach to professional standards in the Church,” said Garth Blake SC, Chair of the Child Protection Committee, commenting on the first round of the consultative process. Members of the committee have visited each Metropolitan Diocese as well as a number of regional centres during the year.
“Nearly 300 people came to hear what was proposed and over 40 written submissions were received,” Mr Blake said. “The Code’s approach to bullying, domestic violence and professional development was strengthened accordingly.
“It showed us that Anglicans are very committed to having the highest standards of pastoral ministry in our Church.”
The Code sets out proposed benchmarks for the practice of pastoral ministry throughout the Australian Church. “Our aim is to see the Code adopted by all 23 dioceses of our Church so that there will be national standards governing the pastoral ministry of clergy and lay church workers in the mission of the Church.  The Code is an important part of a comprehensive approach to ensure that all Anglican commu-nities are safe places for children, adults and those who serve in Jesus’ name,” said Mr Blake.
The Code addresses clergy and lay church workers in two seperate documents. It will be presented for approval at General Synod in Fremantle in October 2004. The Committee has released the revised version for further public comment.
The revised draft of the code is oline at www.anglican.org.au. Send responses to codeofethics@anglican.org.au.