Process for Complaints Regarding Recognized Clergy

Process for Complaints regarding Recognized Clergy

Alliance of Baptists

The Alliance of Baptists takes seriously any complaint alleging violations of its Covenantal Code of Ethics by its recognized clergy or endorsed ministers. Such complaints should be directed promptly to the Minister for Leadership Formation. The chairs of the Clergy Recognition Council and the Endorsement Council, in consultation with the Minister for Leadership Formation, will convene to discuss the complaint and follow the process outlined below.

Complaint Review Process

Acomplaint is a grievance involving an alleged violation of the Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy established by the Alliance of Baptists that is presented by completing the Clergy Complaint Form. The complaint must identify the specific portions of the Covenantal Code of Ethics that have been alleged to be violated. Complaints may be registered by those who consider themselves harmed by an alleged violation or by any person(s) having substantive knowledge of such a violation.

The person making the complaint must name an individual(s) over which the Alliance of Baptists has jurisdiction. The person filing the complaint consents to the Alliance of Baptists clergy complaint process and gives permission for the disclosure of all information necessary to process the complaint to the Clergy Recognition and Endorsement Councils, their representatives, and the person(s) about whom the complaint is being made. The person filing a complaint will be asked to submit a ClergyComplaint Form.

Inquiries and Filing of Complaints

Complaints or inquiries about filing them are directed to the Minister for Leadership Formation at: or 3939 LaVista Road, Suite E-122, Atlanta, GA 30084. If a complaint is not on a Clergy Complaint Form, the Minister for Leadership Formation will contact the person filing a complaint and request this be done. The Minister for Leadership Formation will supply the form, a copy of this policy, and a copy of the Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy or the web address for each.

When the Minister for Leadership Formation receives a complaint form, the Minister for Leadership Formation sends a copy of the complaint by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person named in the complaint within thirty (30) calendar days. The respondent will also be sent a letter outlining the complaint process, a copy of Process for Complaints about Alliance of Baptists Recognized Clergy and Endorsed Persons, and a copy of the Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy. The person named in the complaint has thirty (30) calendar days from the time of receiving the complaint material to send a written response to the Minister for Leadership Formation.

Initial Review

Within a reasonable time of receiving the original complaint and the response of the person about whom the complaint was filed, the Minister for Leadership Formation and the chairs of the Clergy Recognition Council and the Endorsement Council will determine whether or not the Alliance of Baptists has jurisdiction over the person(s). Jurisdiction requires that:

• The individualis a recognized clergyperson of the Alliance of Baptists;
• The complaint alleges a violation which, if it occurred, would violate the Alliance of Baptists Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy;
• The alleged violation(s) occurred in a context and during a time the person’s conduct was subject to the Alliance of Baptists Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy, and
• The alleged violation falls within twelve months of the date of filing the complaint. In unusual circumstances, at the discretion of the Minister of Leadership Formation and Chairs, these limits may be extended.

If jurisdiction is established, the Minister for Leadership Formation and the Chairs will determine the direction the complaint will move. More than one option may be chosen:

• Dismiss the complaint if no jurisdiction.
• Dismiss the complaint without prejudice if it appears the situation is one that could be reasonably addressed by the parties and insufficient attempt has been made to seek resolution. The Minister for Leadership Formation may suggest approaches to resolution.
• Offer a mediation opportunity if appropriate.
• Refer the complaint for investigation and review.
• The Minister of Leadership Formation and Chairs may include additional violations of the Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy not named by the person making the complaint. The person named in the complaint will be informed of those additions at the time of the investigation in order to respond.

As soon as reasonably possible the Minister of Leadership Formation will send notification by certified mail to the person making the complaint and the person named in the complaint of the action to be taken. If there will be an investigation, the notification will include the specific allegations, the portions of the Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy allegedly violated and the name and contact information of the investigator(s).

The Investigative Phase

When an investigation is warranted, the Minister for Leadership Formation and the Chairs will appoint an investigator(s). The investigator will have training in processing complaints and be affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists. The investigator will conduct the investigation according to the processes set forth in this document. After the investigation, the investigator(s) will submit a report of findings to the Minister for Leadership Formation and the Chairs.

The Decision Stage

After reviewing the evidence gleaned from the investigation and deliberating, the Minister for Leadership Formation and the Chairs shall reach one of two decisions:

• No violation of the Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy occurred.
• A violation of the Covenantal Code of Ethics for Recognized Clergy didoccur.

The appropriate Council(s) will determine a remedy(s) and take follow-up action with the person named in the complaint as necessary to rectify the violation and guard against future violations.

Notification of Findings and Action for Case Review

The Minister for Leadership Formation and Chairs will notify the person making the complaint and the person named in the complaint of the action taken. The notification to both parties will be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall include information that either may appeal the decision. The limited grounds for appeal will be stated. The notice to appeal must be received by the Minister for Leadership Formation within thirty (30) days of the date of the notification regarding the complaint. Both shall be instructed not to make the notification public until the appeals process is over. No notification to any person or organization outside the Alliance of Baptists shall be made until after the appeal process is completed. When no appeal is filed, an appeal is denied, or after the appeal process is completed, notification shall occur.

Appeals Process

Appeals of Clergy Recognition Councilor Endorsement Council decisions and actions are sent to the Minister for Leadership Formation, who will appoint three persons affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists who are not otherwise involved in the case, to serve as the Appeals Panel.Former members in good standing of these Councils may also be asked to serve.

The person making the complaint may appeal the decision but not the follow-up actions or enforcement recommendations. The person named in the complaint may appeal either or both.

Grounds for appeal are limited to these options:

• The party was refused reasonable opportunity to obtain and present evidence
• There was gross irregularity in the proceedings as established by these guidelines, either of which would have led to a substantially different outcome.

Whether the criteria for appeal have been met will usually be decided by the Appeals Panel on the basis of the written material submitted without a formal hearing. Substantial deference will be given to the decision and recommendation of the Council. Parties or Council members may be contacted for additional information to assist the Appeals Panel in reaching its decision.

The Appeals Panel will review all material provided during the complaint, all records of findings, and any additional information presented by the respondent or complainant. The Appeals Panel may take one of the following actions:

• Dismiss the original complaint and findings and set aside recommendation;
• Begin the complaint process again by restoring the initial complaint, reversing or modifying the findings, and/or making different recommendations to the Councils;
• Reopen the investigation and request additional information;
• Uphold the original findings but modify the recommendation; or
• Uphold the original findings and recommendation.

If the appeal is not granted, the Clergy Recognition Council or Endorsement Council follow-up actions and any enforcement proceed.

Decisions to revoke recognition and/or endorsement are at the sole discretion of the respective Councils. Decisions by the Appeals Panel are final and binding on the Councils, the Alliance of Baptists, and its members and programs.

The person filing the complaint, the person named in the complaint, and any other parties will be notified in writing of the decision and recommendation.

Revised January 15, 2013

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