Standards for Clergy and Church Workers

The standards applying to clergy and church workers are contained in the document Faithfulness in Service, a code for personal behaviour and the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and church workers.

This code was adopted by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia in 2004 and it’s important for clergy and church workers to understand the code.

The personal behaviour and practices of pastoral ministry required of clergy (bishops, priests, and deacons) of the Anglican Church of Australia are specified in the Holy Scriptures as well as in its Constitution, canons, ordinances, the Book of Common Prayer and the Ordinal.

Although not bound by the promises made by clergy, church workers (lay persons who are employed or hold a position or perform a function within the Anglican Church of Australia) are expected to conform to the same behaviour and practices as clergy—except in areas that apply only to clergy.

This code sets the standard of personal behaviour and practice of pastoral ministry, enabling our community to be a safe place for everyone and ensuring integrity and accountability in the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.

See the full version of Faithfulness in Service

Safe Ministry Screening and Ministry Clearance Requirements

Bishop’s Licences and Authorities

Clergy and lay people seeking a Bishop’s Licence or Authority as well as people entering the Diocesan Year of Discernment must complete the following forms:

These forms are current as of 1 July 2022. Previous versions of these forms will not be accepted.

Licence Review

Most licences and authorities no longer have an expiry date.  Licences are reviewed as required or every 3 years to ensure the screening requirements are current. You may be contacted by the Diocesan Office to confirm the outcome of this review. Please attend to the requirements as advised.

Application Submission

All completed forms are to be submitted to the Diocesan Office for review either by

Email: safeministry@newcastleanglican.org.au
or
Post:
Newcastle Anglican
87 Toronto Road
Booragul NSW 2284

*Copies of this information will be retained by the Diocesan Office.*

Safe Ministry Training

Safe Ministry Training must be undertaken for all church workers.  It is to be refreshed every 3 years.  There are two components to this training.

  1. Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) – Child Safe – Keeping children safe in organisation e-Learning

Clergy are required to complete all 11 modules and all other workers and volunteers are expected to complete the first 9 modules.

Website: https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/training-and-resources/elearning   

Module Title: Child Safe – Keeping children safe in organisation e-Learning modules

Following completion, the participant will receive the email from the OCG and they should record completion in Litmos.

  1. Faithfulness in Service

In addition to reading Faithfulness in Service,  all church workers must complete the Faithfulness in Service e-Learning course in Litmos.  This provides an outline of Faithfulness in Service and includes a number of videos which help add to the learning in the OCG training.  Participants will be required to confirm they have read and understood the document.

Access to Litmos Training

To obtain access to Litmos, please email mylearning@newcastleanglican.org.au 

Nationally Co-ordinated Criminal History Check

The preferred method to obtain a check is to use the Newcastle Anglican arrangement with Crimcheck. Details to access this service can be located in the parish portal.

Alternatively a check can be obtained through other agencies at a cost and a certified copy of the original document may need to be provided.  

Working with Children Check

A new working with Children Check can be obtained using this link:

https://wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/apply

WWCC are valid for a period of 5 years.  To renew your WWCC please use this link:

https://wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/Renew

Your full name, date of birth and WWCC number may need to be provided in order for the deploying body to obtain your clearance.

Ordination 2020

Application For Ministry As A Voluntary Church Worker (Aged 18+) For Appointment Or Re-Appointment

Before making an application it is recommended to review the Volunteers and Other Church Workers Policy.

To apply, you must complete the following forms:

*Copies of this information are retained by the Parish Office. Electronic copies of the information may be lodged with the Diocesan Office.*

Application For Ministry As A Voluntary Church Worker (Aged 13-17) For Appointment Or Re-Appointment

Before making an application it is recommended to review the Volunteers and Other Church Workers Policy.

To apply, you must complete the following forms:

*Copies of this information are retained by the Parish Office. Electronic copies of the information may be lodged with the Diocesan Office.*

Retired and in Good Standing

Newcastle Anglican will maintain and publish a list of clergy who have retired, or do not seek a licence or permission for ministry, and remain in good standing.

 The Bishop no longer issues limited permission to officiate to clergy aged over 80 years.

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