Welcome to the Section 22 Ad Hoc Committee for the Christian Sector

The Section 22 Ad hoc Committee for the Christian Sector was established on 02 October 2025 under Section 22 of the CRL Rights Commission Act, 2002 (Act 19 of 2002). In December 2025, the Committee published a Draft Self-Regulatory Framework for the Christian Sector for consultation, a voluntary initiative by Christians, for Christians. Its purpose is to:
• Promote ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability within Christian organisations;
• Protect vulnerable members of congregations from exploitation and abuse;
• Restore and strengthen public trust in the Church;
• Respect the constitutional freedoms of religion and belief enshrined in Sections 15 and 31 of the Constitution.

This is not about state control or regulation of religion. The framework is voluntary. It proposes no state-imposed licensing or government oversight. Instead, it invites churches to hold themselves to a common standard of integrity, governance, and pastoral care, a standard developed by the Church, for the Church.

The Draft Framework will only be credible and effective if it reflects the diverse realities of churches across South Africa, from large denominations to small fellowships, from urban congregations to rural ministries, from well-established churches to emerging movements.