Church in Wales Code of Conduct for Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers

The ministry of Christ is the model and measure of all Christian leadership. When Jesus spoke to his disciples, he made clear that their calling was not to mirror the power structures of the world, where authority is often exercised for personal gain. Instead, they were to be servants of others, just as he came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:42–45). This radical redefinition of leadership lies at the heart of Christian vocation.

The apostle Peter reminded the early Christians of their identity as God’s chosen people, sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:2). This identity calls all Christians, and especially those in positions of pastoral responsibility, to lives of holiness, shaped by grace and lived in response to God’s redeeming love. The call to holiness echoes throughout Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, as the fitting response to the God who creates, redeems, and sustains.

Paul, writing to the Philippians, prayed that their love would abound in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9–10). Such discernment enables Christian ministers to live lives marked by humility, integrity, and faithfulness. In the power of the Holy Spirit, they are called to embody Christ’s love in all their relationships, especially with those to whom they minister.

The Church is the community in which this vocation is nurtured and sustained. It is the body through which God’s ministry and mission is carried forward in the world. Clergy and licensed lay ministers, as leaders within this community, are entrusted with a sacred responsibility. They are to be examples of Christian character and conduct, and to exercise their ministry in ways that reflect the servant-heartedness of Christ.

This Code of Conduct sets out the personal behaviours and pastoral practices that support faithful ministry. It is designed to help clergy and licensed lay ministers serve with integrity, accountability, and compassion. When these standards are upheld, our communities become safer and more life-giving places, where trust is built, forgiveness fosters healing, and misconduct is neither hidden nor tolerated. By embracing the standards set out here, ministers will be better equipped to live out their calling with faithfulness and grace, serving Christ and his Church with hearts committed to love, justice, and holiness.

The expectations outlined in this Code should be read alongside the Holy Scriptures, the Church in Wales’ Constitution and Canons, our Book of Common Prayer, and the Professional Ministerial Guidelines. The Code does not replace our foundational documents but seeks to complement them, offering a practical framework for daily ministry.

Each section of this Code consists of three parts:

• a preamble which introduces the section;
• standards which state the Church’s expectations for behaviour and the practice in pastoral ministry;
• appropriate conduct which explains and illustrates appropriate practice and highlights practical ways to achieve this.

Throughout the Code, key terms appear in bold text and their definitions are contained in the appendix headed ‘Key Terms’.

Material from the Anglican Church of Australia’s Faithfulness in Service: A code for personal behaviour and the practice of pastoral ministry by clergy and church workers has been included in this document, with grateful thanks. Material used has been reviewed and updated to ensure relevance to the particular context of the Church in Wales and to the law and culture of Wales and the UK.

Preamble

1.1 The personal behaviour and relationships of clergy and licensed lay ministers have a significant impact on the Church and the community because they are a model to others. In a context where their responsibility is to care for others, people will especially observe the way in which clergy and licensed lay ministers exercise power and authority.

1.2 Abuse of power and authority is at the heart of many relationship problems in the Church and the community. In essence, abuse is one person’s misuse of power over another. Sometimes abuse will be a one-off event and at other times it will be a pattern of behaviour. Abuse can take any of several overlapping forms: bullying, emotional abuse, harassment, physical abuse, coercive control, sexual abuse, financial abuse, or spiritual abuse. Abuse in a family or domestic context is commonly known as “family and domestic violence”.

1.3 It is important for clergy and licensed lay ministers to be good citizens and obey the laws of the land.

1.4 Alongside the standards in personal behaviour for clergy and licensed lay ministers listed below, everyone associated with the Church in Wales is expected to behave respectfully and courteously and they have the right to expect respectful and courteous behaviour from others. This is detailed in the Dignity Charter, available on the Church in Wales website.

These standards state the Church’s expectations for behaviour and the practice in pastoral ministry.

1.5 They are not to engage in any form of abuse in their personal or professional lives. This includes:

• bullying;
• emotional abuse;
• harassment;
• physical abuse;
• coercive control;
• sexual abuse;
• financial abuse; or
• spiritual abuse.

See key terms below for definitions.

1.6 They are to be responsible in their use of alcohol and other lawfully-obtained mind-altering or addictive substances or services (such as gambling).

1.7 They are not to undertake any pastoral ministry when they are impaired by alcohol or any other mind-altering or addictive substances.

1.8 They are not to use any prohibited substance.

1.9 They are not to take property belonging to others, including intellectual property.

1.10 They are not knowingly to make statements that are false, misleading or deceptive.

1.11 They are not knowingly to use offensive language.

1.12 They are not to view, possess, produce or distribute restricted material.

1.13 They are to observe the law.

The following explains and illustrates appropriate practice and highlights practical ways to achieve this.

1.14 In all aspects of their life and ministry, they should consider whether their conduct will damage the reputation and/or impair the ministry of themselves or the Church.

1.15 They should understand and be attentive to the different expressions abuse can take and the impact abuse can have on people.

1.16 They should be able to identify and address bullying and the cultures and environments which encourage it. Contexts in which bullying is likely to flourish are characterised by:

• overbearing or inadequate leadership or management;
• inadequate governance structures and processes;
• lack of support and poor handling of conflict;
• low level of participation and consultation;
• a climate of uncertainty and insecurity;
• inadequate grievance procedures.

1.17 They should review their conduct if another person indicates by their words or actions that they feel bullied or harassed by them. If in doubt, they should cease the conduct and seek advice. When teaching, admonishing or exercising discipline as part of their pastoral ministry, they should ensure they do it respectfully.

1.18 They should love and care for their family and pay particular attention to the effect of their ministry on their family relationships. They should ensure that their behaviour in family relationships is consistent with this Code.

1.19 They should take steps to prevent their partner or children or other members of their family becoming victims of their stress. If they find themselves acting violently or abusively to any member of their family, they should seek professional help immediately.

1.20 They should monitor their consumption or use of alcohol and other lawfully-obtained mind altering or addictive substances or product (e.g. gambling) to ensure their wellbeing and that of others. They should seek professional help if the use of these substances or products adversely affects their ministry, personal wellbeing or relationships.

1.21 They should be sensitive to the effect of their language on others. They should avoid using language that may be misunderstood or that bullies, threatens, belittles, humiliates or causes unnecessary offence or embarrassment. They should take care when using:

• any swear word;
• language that implies innuendo or which has sexual connotations; and
• racial, religious or other group descriptions.

1.22 If they wish to engage in social media platforms, it should be in line with Church in Wales social media policies.

1.23 They should avoid viewing or using restricted material.

1.24 If engaged in civil protest, they should not act violently or intentionally provoke violence.

1.25 They should be sensitive to the effect of their dress and personal hygiene on others and dress appropriately to the context.

1.26 They should comply with copyright legislation, and they should ensure that any licences for the use of copyright material are current and complied with and that copyright is duly acknowledged.

Key Terms

abuse in relation to an adult includes the following conduct:

• bullying;
• emotional abuse;
• harassment;
• physical abuse;
• sexual abuse;
• financial abuse; or
• spiritual abuse.

The impact of abuse

Experience of abuse damages relationships and may cause emotional, psychological, physical, social and spiritual harm. The impact can be life long and affect those involved, their relationships and their capacity to minister and receive ministry.

bullying means unwanted behaviour by an individual or group that is offensive, intimidating, threatening, or malicious, although bullying is not legally defined in the UK. It often involves an abuse or misuse of power, whether real or perceived, that undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to someone. Bullying can occur as a regular or persistent pattern of behaviour or a single incident and may happen face-to-face, online, through emails, calls, or in other church-related contexts. Bullying is not always obvious and may not be recognized as such by the perpetrator; bullying can occur even if the individual does not intend to cause harm.

Examples of bullying include:

• Making derogatory or demeaning comments or jokes about someone or humiliating them in another way.
• Spreading malicious rumours about someone or undermining someone’s performance or reputation in another way.
• Directly or indirectly threatening violence against someone, including non-verbal conduct of an intimidating nature.
• Engaging in unwanted physical contact.
• Communicating aggressively with someone, including shouting at someone.
• Criticising someone’s work persistently, without legitimate reason.
• Inappropriately excluding someone from information or activities.
• Putting humiliating, offensive or threatening comments or images online.

Bullying can be directed at anyone, including upward bullying, where an individual or group target those in senior roles. This might include showing continued disrespect, undermining legitimately exercised authority, or spreading rumours.

It is important to note that challenge and performance management conducted in a reasonable and professional manner do not constitute bullying. Examples of appropriate challenge and performance management include:

• Challenging or criticising someone’s belief, opinion or action in a respectful way.
• Setting reasonable performance goals, standards or deadlines.
• Giving feedback on unsatisfactory performance in a specific and constructive way, including clear steps to improve performance to a satisfactory standard.
• Giving feedback on inappropriate behaviour in a clear and objective way, including any remedial action or escalation required.
• Sharing information about someone’s performance or conduct with another person with a proper reason for having that information.
• Taking legitimate disciplinary action.

child means anyone under the age of 18.

Church means the Church in Wales.

clergy means bishops, priests and deacons of the Church.

cleric means a bishop, priest or deacon of the Church.

coercive control means a pattern of behaviour that seeks to dominate or intimidate another person through threats, humiliation, isolation, or restriction of freedom. It often involves psychological, emotional, or financial manipulation. It can lead to an erosion of the affected person's autonomy and sense of self.

emotional abuse means acts or omissions that have caused, or could cause emotional harm or lead to serious behavioural or cognitive disorders. It includes:

• subjecting a person to excessive and repeated personal criticism;
• ridiculing a person, including the use of insulting or derogatory terms to refer to them;
• threatening or intimidating a person;
• ignoring a person openly and pointedly; and
• behaving in a hostile manner or in any way that could reasonably result in another person feeling isolated or rejected.

financial abuse involves the mistreatment of someone through the improper or unlawful control or manipulation of their money or assets, including their property. Examples of financial abuse include:

• Theft or misuse of money
• Fraud
• Exploiting or interfering with someone’s financial affairs
• Restricting access to money, employment, or personal possessions
• Pressuring or coercing someone regarding their will, property, inheritance, or lasting power of attorney

harassment means unwelcome conduct, whether intended or not, in relation to another person where the person feels with good reason in all the circumstances offended, belittled or threatened. Such behaviour may consist of a single incident or several incidents over a period of time. It includes:

• making unwelcome physical contact with a person;
• making gestures or using language that could reasonably give offence including continual and unwarranted shouting;
• making unjustified or unnecessary comments about a person’s capacities or attributes;
• putting on open display pictures, posters, graffiti or written materials that could reasonably give offence;
• making unwelcome communication with a person in any form (for example, phone calls, email, text messages) ; and
• stalking a person.

Harassment can be sexual – see sexual harassment below.

licensed lay minister(s) means a lay person who is licensed by the bishop of the diocese for a particular ministry.

offensive language includes blasphemy, verbal harassment, racial and other forms of vilification, personal insult or comment and obscene words.

pastoral ministry means any work involved or situations which exist when a member of the clergy or lay licensed minister has responsibility as part of their role for the wellbeing of others, including the provision of spiritual advice and support, education, counselling, or care and assistance in times of need.

physical abuse means any intentional or reckless act, use of force or threat to use force causing injury to, or involving unwelcome physical contact with, another person. This may take the form of slapping, punching, shaking, kicking, burning, shoving or grabbing. An injury may take the form of bruises, cuts, burns or fractures.

restricted material means:

• any images (still or moving) which may not lawfully be distributed within England and Wales;
• publications, films, and computer games that have been classified as R18 by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC); and
• any other images (still or moving) or sounds not subject to classification by the BBFC or the Games Rating Authority (for example, internet material) that are considered with good reason within the Church as being offensive on the grounds of violence, sex, language, drug abuse or nudity.

The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. No other BBFC category (U, PG, 12, 15, and 18) is included in the phrase ‘restricted material’.

prohibited substance means any substance banned or prohibited by law for use or consumption by adults, or any prescription only medicine which has not been prescribed to the cleric or licensed lay minister in accordance with the Human Medicine Regulations 2012.

respect means being attentive and responsive to the dignity of another. Everyone associated with the Church in Wales is expected to behave respectfully and courteously and they have the right to expect respectful and courteous behaviour from others. This is detailed in the Dignity Charter, available on the Church in Wales website.

sexual abuse of an adult means sexual assault, sexual exploitation or sexual harassment (see below) of an adult.

sexual harassment means:

• an unwelcome sexual advance, or an unwelcome request for sexual favours, to the other person; or
• other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in relation to the other person in circumstances in which a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the other person would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Such behaviour may consist of a single incident or several incidents over a period of time. It includes:

• asking a person for sex;
• giving a person to understand that you would like sexual favours from them;
• making any gesture, action or comment of a sexual nature to a person directly or making a comment of a sexual nature about them in their presence;
• making jokes containing sexual references or innuendo using any form of communication;
• exposing a person to any form of sexually explicit or suggestive material;
• making unwelcome physical contact such as touching, pinching, or patting;
• making unwelcome or unnecessary inquiries about or attempts to discuss personal matters of a sexual nature;
• deliberately intruding on an individual’s personal space;
• staring at or secretly watching a person for the purpose of sexual stimulation or gratification; and
• stalking a person.

spiritual abuse may be manifested in attempts to coerce, control, harass, manipulate or demean an individual or group through wrongful use of spiritual authority and the authority of Scripture, Christian teaching, prayer, spiritual practice and the rites of the Church. Some such harmful behaviour may be deemed to break the law and thus be subject, potentially, to legal action. Others may not constitute a legal offence and yet fall far short of the standards of Christian love, compassion and honesty which ought to characterise the Church. For a detailed consideration of spiritual authority and its abuse, please refer to Walking in Integrity: A Theological Reflection on the Use and Misuse of Spiritual Authority from the Standing Doctrinal Commission of the Church in Wales, available on the Church in Wales website.