The heart of it
Jesus summed it up: love God, and love your neighbour as yourself. Everything below flows from that. We want church to be a place where everyone is safe, welcome and able to grow.
What we expect of everyone
- Respect. Treat everyone with dignity, whatever their age, background, language, nationality, ability or walk of life.
- Honesty. Be truthful in what you say, in what you share online, and with church money and property.
- Kindness online. No harassment, bullying, gossip, or sharing other people's photos or details without permission.
- Safety. No violence, threats, weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs or smoking on church premises or at church events.
- Care for the space. Look after the building, equipment and neighbours, including parking considerately on Humber Street.
Leaders and volunteers
Those who serve carry extra responsibility. Leaders and volunteers agree to:
- Be good examples in word and conduct, and never misuse their position or influence.
- Keep people's personal information and prayer requests confidential, sharing only what's needed to care for someone, or where the law requires it.
- Declare conflicts of interest, and never accept gifts or favours that could compromise them.
- Handle church money transparently, with two people present when counting offerings and every expense recorded.
Children and young people
Keeping children and young people safe is non-negotiable. Everyone working with under-18s agrees to:
- Follow the two-adult rule: never be alone and out of sight with a child or young person.
- Keep communication with young people open: use group chats that include another leader or a parent, never private or secret messaging.
- Get parent or guardian consent for trips, camps, photos and medical needs.
- Report any concern about a child's safety straight away to the pastor. Where a child may be in danger, we report to the police or social services as South African law (the Children's Act) requires.
Anyone serving with children or youth may be asked for references and a police clearance.
Our online spaces
On our website, WhatsApp groups and social media pages: keep it kind and on topic, no spam or selling, and ask before posting photos of others (especially children). We may remove posts or people that break this code.
Raising a concern
If someone's behaviour worries you, please tell a pastor or leader. Approved members can also raise a complaint confidentially from My profile; see our complaints policy. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 10111 (SAPS) or 112 first.
If the code is broken
We respond with grace and seriousness: a conversation first, then, if needed, stepping back from a role or ministry, and in serious cases being asked not to attend. Anything that may be a crime is reported to the authorities.