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Chapter 6: Further Work

This report represents the culmination of a year’s work for the members of the Covenant Accountability Task Force. The work of the Task Force is done. However, the work of covenant accountability is ongoing. With that in mind, these suggestions for further work are made to existing groups within the Missouri Conference:

1. To the Cabinet
      a. The Covenant Accountability Task Force recommends that the Cabinet of the Missouri Conference convene a committee, including but not limited to members from the laity and the Board of Ordained Ministry, whose purpose is to develop guidelines for the “aftercare” of congregations following an incidence of clergy sexual misconduct.

      b. The Covenant Accountability Task Force recommends that the Dean of the Cabinet of the Missouri Conference, in consultation with the Bishop and other district superintendents where appropriate, create a checklist for district superintendents to use with staff-parish relations committees and charge conferences. Items on this checklist should include, but are not limited to:

            i. Questions relating to the existence of and compliance to a local church Safe Sanctuaries Policy; and
            ii. Questions relating to the posting of and understanding of the Conference Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy.

2. To the Board of Ordained Ministry
      a. The Covenant Accountability Task Force recommends that the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Missouri Conference convene a committee whose purpose is to develop guidelines for the responsible assessment of  Discipline-mandated certificates of health.