Chapter 15: Connexional Chaplaincy Committee
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15.8.1 The presence of Methodist Chaplains in the Security Services does not imply that the MCSA supports war, violence, militarism or the political ideology of the Government in power.
| << Chapter 14 | Table of Contents | Appendix 1 >> |
GENERAL REGULATIONS
15.1 PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE
15.1.1 The Connexional Chaplaincy Committee (CCC) is responsible to
Conference for all matters concerning chaplaincy in the Security Services.
15.1.2 “Security Services” refers to the SANDF (SA National Defence Force), SAPS (SA Police Services) and DCS (Dept of Correctional Services)
15.1.2 “Security Services” refers to the SANDF (SA National Defence Force), SAPS (SA Police Services) and DCS (Dept of Correctional Services)
15.2 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
15.2.1 The Committee shall consist of The Presiding Bishop, the Executive
Secretary, the Bishops of the three Northern Districts (One of whom shall
be chairperson), the Principal Chaplain, the Liaison Chaplains of the three
Security Services, at least three ministers who are not chaplains, and at
least three lay persons.
15.2.2 Members of the Committee shall be nominated annually by the CCC and appointed by the Connexional Executive or Conference.
15.2.3 The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Principal Chaplain and the three Liaison Chaplains.
15.2.2 Members of the Committee shall be nominated annually by the CCC and appointed by the Connexional Executive or Conference.
15.2.3 The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Principal Chaplain and the three Liaison Chaplains.
15.3 POWERS AND DUTIES
15.3.1 The CCC has responsibility for the pastoral oversight, discipline and general
well-being of all chaplains in the Security Services.
15.3.2 The CCC will screen and recommend suitable candidates for chaplaincy to the Security Services.
15.3.3 During the tenth year of a chaplain’s service the CCC will arrange for a Pastoral Committee to review the chaplain’s work and recommend whether or not they should continue in chaplaincy. This should normally take place in the District in which they reside. The review should also contain a recommendation from their Bishop.
15.3.2 The CCC will screen and recommend suitable candidates for chaplaincy to the Security Services.
15.3.3 During the tenth year of a chaplain’s service the CCC will arrange for a Pastoral Committee to review the chaplain’s work and recommend whether or not they should continue in chaplaincy. This should normally take place in the District in which they reside. The review should also contain a recommendation from their Bishop.
15.4 PROCEDURE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAINS
15.4.1 Any ordained minister who feels a call to serve as a chaplain must first
apply in writing to the CCC for permission to explore the possibility of
appointment with the Security Service concerned. The application should
include a motivation and a CV.
15.4.2 The CCC must ask their District Bishop to appoint a Pastoral Committee to meet with the minister concerned and make a recommendation concerning their overall character and work, and their suitability for chaplaincy. Ministers will normally only be recommended for chaplaincy after they have served three years in Circuit after ordination. The Security Services do not accept new chaplains over the age of 40.
15.4.3 The CCC will refer the names of ministers who have received a positive recommendation to the Security Service concerned. (NB. The CCC does not make chaplaincy appointments. Each Security Service is responsible for its own appointments in terms of current labour legislation. In the case of SAPS, once a minister has received approval from the CCC, they must themselves apply to the SAPS when posts are advertised).
15.4.4 When a minister receives an appointment as a chaplain it is his/her responsibility to notify the CCC.
15.4.2 The CCC must ask their District Bishop to appoint a Pastoral Committee to meet with the minister concerned and make a recommendation concerning their overall character and work, and their suitability for chaplaincy. Ministers will normally only be recommended for chaplaincy after they have served three years in Circuit after ordination. The Security Services do not accept new chaplains over the age of 40.
15.4.3 The CCC will refer the names of ministers who have received a positive recommendation to the Security Service concerned. (NB. The CCC does not make chaplaincy appointments. Each Security Service is responsible for its own appointments in terms of current labour legislation. In the case of SAPS, once a minister has received approval from the CCC, they must themselves apply to the SAPS when posts are advertised).
15.4.4 When a minister receives an appointment as a chaplain it is his/her responsibility to notify the CCC.
15.5 CONDUCT AND OBLIGATIONS OF CHAPLAINS
15.5.1 Chaplains are representatives of the MCSA and must not conduct
themselves in any way which will bring discredit on the good name of the
Church.
15.5.2 Methodist Chaplains must remain faithful to our Methodist doctrines and values, especially in matters of conscience and are encouraged not to bear arms.
15.5.3 Chaplains are in a unique position as employees of the State. They are employed by, and are in a contractual relationship with the Security Service and are therefore responsible in the first instance to the authority and discipline of the Security Service concerned.
15.5.4 Nevertheless they continue to be in a covenantal relationship with the MCSA through their ordination and are also subject to the discipline and regulations of the MCSA in order to remain in good standing with the Church.
15.5.5 Their job description, conditions of service, remuneration, pension and service benefits will be determined and administered by the Security Service concerned.
15.5.6 Chaplains are required to serve people of all denominations and faiths as well as members of the MCSA.
15.5.7 Chaplains may not transfer to another Security Service or secondment without permission from the CCC or Presiding Bishop. Nor may they accept promotion to a position in the Security Service which has no relation to their primary calling as a chaplain without permission from the Presiding Bishop.
15.5.2 Methodist Chaplains must remain faithful to our Methodist doctrines and values, especially in matters of conscience and are encouraged not to bear arms.
15.5.3 Chaplains are in a unique position as employees of the State. They are employed by, and are in a contractual relationship with the Security Service and are therefore responsible in the first instance to the authority and discipline of the Security Service concerned.
15.5.4 Nevertheless they continue to be in a covenantal relationship with the MCSA through their ordination and are also subject to the discipline and regulations of the MCSA in order to remain in good standing with the Church.
15.5.5 Their job description, conditions of service, remuneration, pension and service benefits will be determined and administered by the Security Service concerned.
15.5.6 Chaplains are required to serve people of all denominations and faiths as well as members of the MCSA.
15.5.7 Chaplains may not transfer to another Security Service or secondment without permission from the CCC or Presiding Bishop. Nor may they accept promotion to a position in the Security Service which has no relation to their primary calling as a chaplain without permission from the Presiding Bishop.
15.6 OBLIGATIONS TO THE MCSA
15.6.1 Whilst it is recognised that the Security Service has the primary call on the
chaplain’s time and work, chaplains are also required to attend their annual District synod and at least one District ministers’ retreat a year.
15.6.2 Chaplains are also required to involve themselves in and be members of their local Methodist Society and may be expected to attend Circuit and Society meetings, normally in their own time.
15.6.3 Chaplains must negotiate this with their Commanding Officer.
15.6.2 Chaplains are also required to involve themselves in and be members of their local Methodist Society and may be expected to attend Circuit and Society meetings, normally in their own time.
15.6.3 Chaplains must negotiate this with their Commanding Officer.
15.7 PRINCIPAL CHAPLAIN AND LIAISON CHAPLAINS
15.7.1 The CCC will nominate a Principal chaplain every three years who shall
be appointed by the CE who will have pastoral oversight of all chaplains in
the three Security Services.
15.7.2 The CCC will annually appoint a Liaison Chaplain in each Security Service who will be the liaison channel between the chaplains and the Security Service concerned.
15.7.2 The CCC will annually appoint a Liaison Chaplain in each Security Service who will be the liaison channel between the chaplains and the Security Service concerned.
15.8 SPECIAL PROVISION
15.8.1 The presence of Methodist Chaplains in the Security Services does not imply that the MCSA supports war, violence, militarism or the political ideology of the Government in power.