Advocacy

Advocacy Assumptions

Clergy Support advocates operate on a number of assumptions regarding the parties in a church conflict:

• Fairness—We do not assume clergy are always in the right in conflict situations. The basic assumption upon which this ministry rests however is simple. All church professionals innocent or guilty, or somewhere in between, deserve to be treated fairly. All should receive natural justice from the church, as that term is traditionally defined.
• Just Cause—We do not question any congregation’s privilege to change pastors from time to time. But, it is our contention that such change must be for just cause and carried out in accordance with the rules of …fundamental natural justice. The severance package must be fair.
• Loyalty—We feel our ministry is to call the church back to being a church of justice, equity and fairness.

We are not the least interested in helping anyone hurt or get even with the church. If we find ourselves opposing the church it will always be as a loyal opposition.

Our Assumption

Our focus is on what is right rather than who is right. We are informed by the traditional teaching which teaches that there are times when clergy or the church institution may be legally right and justified, yet morally and ethically wrong.

Definition

We use the term supporter, advocate, helper etc. as one who lends presence to friends. Someone called to one’s side to plead one’s cause. Kittel Vol. V, (pp. 800-814), or see Wm. Barclay John & Jude (35-38).