Start Here! Resources and Connecting Points for Safe Church Teams

Thank you so much for all the work and time you put into supporting the Safe Church ministry within your local churches!

Safe Church Ministry has compiled a list of basic of resources as well as a list of ways you can stay connected to the ministry for up to date information.

This is by no means comprehensive, but it will certainly help you start to navigate our resources.

Your Safe Church Classis team/coordinator is always an amazing resource! We, the Safe Church ministry,  would always encourage you to reach out to them with your questions. In addition, as a ministry staff team, we are always here to help as well. Please feel free to email us anytime with your questions or comments: [email protected]

General Resources:

Abuse Awareness - Information on Abuse Awareness Sunday - The 2021 theme for Abuse Awareness Sunday is "Safe Church Ministry: Not just a Policy, a Way of Being the Church".  

Responding to Abuse Toolkit - A practical toolkit that provides advice for church councils, staff, safe church team members, and advocates to respond to allegations of abuse in ways that are just and compassionate. 

Circle of Grace - Circle of Grace provides 1-4 lessons for each grade level, K-12, and is designed to supplement and enhance your church education program.

Restorative Congregations a set of principles and tools for people to use in order to be restorative with one another

Safe Church Policy Toolkit 

This toolkit will help you start the important work of policy formation, share some basic important components of a policy and  share some key “go-to” places for further assistance

Safe Church Webinars - Tune in monthly for important conversations regarding key areas of focus within Safe Church Ministry 

Get Connected:

Be sure you are subscribed to the following channels to get updated on the newest resources, events and conversations within Safe Church:

Safe Church Ministry on the Network (CRCNA Blog)

Safe Church Ministry on Facebook

Safe Church Ministry Newsletter

Safe Church Ministry YouTube Channel (make sure to subscribe to be alerted to new video uploads)

Future Resources

Our ministry is currently working on projects that will be released in the coming year that will offer additional materials that you will be able to implement in your church/classis. Look forward to receiving these resources within the next year:

A Safe Congregation Assessment (anticipated Sept. 2021)

• A practical assessment tool designed for members of the congregation to complete and review to understand how they can continue to work towards creating a safe church

Online Abuse of Power Training (anticipated Sept. 2021)

• What is abuse of power? How could it affect your congregation? Has your congregation been affected by it and if so, what now? This training will help you understand what it is and how to eliminate it.

Online Advisory Panel Process Training (anticipated Summer 2021)

• This online training will equip Safe Church Coordinators and Teams to participate in an Advisory Panel when allegations of abuse arise.

We offer financial support to classes to support the work of Safe Church ministry. Talk to your classis Safe Church coordinator (or reach out to our team) to find out more about our Mini-grant program. Building a thriving safe church ministry within a church or classis can have a financial cost and we are happy to offer assistance to further the work of Safe Church in your classes.

Thank you for all you are doing in your church community to further the work of the ministry.