https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 10:14:54 +0000 Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:22:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/reflections-25th-anniversary-safe My journey with Safe Church Ministry began in 1989 when I was 1 of 7 people appointed to the Study Committee on Abuse. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/about-safe-church-ministry/reflections-25th-anniversary-safe Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:22:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/tips-make-facility-safer Facility Changes for the Protection of Youth  Bathrooms: Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/tips-make-facility-safer Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:00:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/con-cent-when-your-consent-isnt-worth-penny From our previous blog, we said that consent means both permission to act and to understand the consequences of those actions.  We gave a couple of examples in which age or cognitive ability could cross out consent.  In some instances, the law places a restriction on consent - Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/con-cent-when-your-consent-isnt-worth-penny Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:41:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/conned-sent Consent is a short word, but long on meaning.  There is much to know about consent, and there is much to misunderstand about consent. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/conned-sent Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:21:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/so-what-happened-synod Safe Church Ministry had an opportunity to speak to the advisory committee regarding its work.  This opportunity is granted to all Specialized Ministries directors and I look forward to this annual meeting. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/so-what-happened-synod Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:50:24 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/end-it-now-today enditnow today! Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/end-it-now-today Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:58:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/view-sparrows-nest-day-four His eye is on the sparrow.... I intended to write Day Four after breakfast, but I didn't have internet access, so I walked to synod instead. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/view-sparrows-nest-day-four Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:16:41 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/view-sparrows-nest-day-three We work over breaks and take a break over meetings!  Kind of a crazy way to describe staff activity at synod. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/view-sparrows-nest-day-three Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:14:17 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/view-sparrows-nest-day-two I mentioned in my first synod blog the anxiety I felt driving to synod and then how it seemed to dissipate with meeting and greeting old friends and colleagues.  I felt like the sparrow protected by God's almighty hand.  So I'll refer to these synod blogs as the "view from the sparrow's Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/view-sparrows-nest-day-two Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:48:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/synod-day-one Synod for me is like a lot of training events.  In one respect, synod is a friendly environment to discuss a subject matter that is dear to my heart and therefore easy to talk about.  On the other hand, delegates, like conference attendees, often ask pointed questions and challenge the Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/synod-day-one Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:20:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/fourth-question-series-id-know-something-about The fourth in a series of questions frequently raised in training sessions:  I am a man who cares deeply about sexual abuse, but what can one man do to make a difference?  Isn't (sexual abuse) primarily a problem women need to learn how to keep themselves safe? Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/fourth-question-series-id-know-something-about Fri, 28 May 2010 12:49:27 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/when-crc-ministers-abuse-part-ii-shattered-faith Shattered Faith Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/when-crc-ministers-abuse-part-ii-shattered-faith Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:31:04 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/when-crc-ministers-abuse-part-i Cynthia* never expected that a pool party with church council members and her pastor would leave her humiliated and traumatized decades later. Most in the pool, including the pastor, were naked. The pastor forced Cynthia out of her swimsuit and asked her to measure his penis. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/when-crc-ministers-abuse-part-i Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:21:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/how-we-fail-create-safe-churches About 25 years ago reports began to surface about physical, emotional, and sexual abuse perpetrated by members and even leaders in the Christian Reformed Church. Synod appointed a committee to study the matter. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/how-we-fail-create-safe-churches Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:42:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-prevention-were-halfway-there Half of the Christian Reformed Church’s 1,100 congregations now have a Child Safety Policy in place. And approximately half of the 47 classes (regional groups of churches) have Safe Church Teams in place. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/abuse-prevention-were-halfway-there Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:22:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/deja-vu-all-over-again Back when screening was in its infancy, I remember my reaction when a person I screened was later accused of abuse.  I ranted, "But I did a criminal record and he was clear!"  Because criminal record checks get to the heart of whether someone has been convicted of wrongdoing, they Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/deja-vu-all-over-again Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:29:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/just Bad news never announces that it is coming.  Bam...just like that....it's there.  I've been occupying the office of Safe Church Ministry for 15 years. Beth Swagman https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/just Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:38:46 +0000