Western District Conference (a conference of Mennonite Church USA) is committed to taking seriously all allegations of ministerial misconduct or abuse. We strive to make reporting misconduct or abuse a safe process.
How do I report ministerial misconduct or abuse?
If you believe that a minister has engaged in misconduct or abuse, contact the Western District Conference (WDC) Safety Liaison at WDCConferenceSafety@mennowdc.org or 316-283-6300; or contact the Mennonite Church USA Denominational Minister for Church Safety at MichaelD@MennoniteUSA.org or (574) 523-3045.
● The WDC Conference Safety Liaison is Kathy Neufeld Dunn, an Associate Conference Minister in WDC.
● The MC USA Denominational Minister for Church Safety is Michael Danner, Associate Executive Director for Church Vitality in Mennonite Church USA
If you report to the Conference Safety Liaison, they will ask your permission to forward your report to the Denominational Minister for Church Safety.
To begin a formal complaint process, either the Conference Safety Liaison or the Denominational Minister for Church Safety can assist you to fill out a Complaint Form, should you choose to do so. You can find Forms for Reporting Misconduct here: English | Español
What is ministerial misconduct or abuse?
The Mennonite Church USA Prevention and Accountability Resource provides these definitions:
● Ministerial misconduct is “any breach of ethics by a credentialed or non-credentialed church leader that requires an exploration/investigation of the facts, a determination of culpability and, potentially, an accountability process or change in credential status.”
● Abuse is “When a person in a position of power or trust uses that position to exploit or violate someone more vulnerable.”
● Clergy Abuse is “when a pastor uses their position of spiritual power and trust to exploit someone under their spiritual care. Any type of abuse, when engaged in by a person in a pastoral role – credentialed or un-credentialed – is clergy abuse.”
Where is more information about the process of reporting misconduct or abuse?
Read the full Prevention and Accountability Resource here: English | Español
Do not hesitate to contact the Conference Safety Liaison or Denominational Minister for Church Safety with any questions or concerns.
Note that all reports of sexual abuse will require an independent investigation.
What if I need to report misconduct or abuse by a WDC Conference Safety Liaison or Conference Minister?
To report misconduct or abuse by a Conference Safety Liaison or Conference Minister, contact the Denominational Minister for Church Safety.
For additional resources: See the Mennonite Church USA Safe Church webpage at https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ministry/church-vitality/safe-church/