Meet Julia Rathbun, Your Safe Church Consultant

What is a Thrive Ministry Consultant?

Ministry Consultants bring together a wide array of experiences and expertise that allow them to serve congregations with wisdom and compassion. They are practitioners, pastors, and seasoned ministry leaders who are eager to develop tools or serve as resources for the wellbeing of your congregation.

In what areas of ministry do you encourage and equip congregations? 

As a consultant for safer churches, I support churches in preventing abuse by helping them to develop and maintain safe church policies and ensure that their staff and volunteers have been screened and trained in abuse prevention. I am also able to provide training to councils and classes on abuse of power and responding to allegations, and support Safe Church Coordinators and Safe Church Committees as they work in their local congregations. I offer guidance to claimants so they understand our process for handling allegations and help to ensure that they have access to necessary resources as they continue on their journey towards healing. I am available for a confidential conversation to discuss any situation of preventing or responding to abuse that arises. Finally, Thrive offers investigations to assist councils in assessing abuse allegations and I am able to conduct an investigation when necessary. 

How did you come into your role? 

I learned about Safe Church for the first time after moving to Michigan and joining a CRC church and was eager to get involved. Over the years I had become aware of a number of situations of abuse in churches and there was a common thread that ran through all of them. Few people knew how to respond well in a way that promoted justice, cared well for the victim and prevented any further abuse from occurring. As a result, I felt called to support churches by helping them prevent abuse, navigate allegations, and provide proper care to the survivor. I became the Safe Church coordinator for my local classis and served in that capacity for a few years prior to joining Thrive. As a social worker with experience working within complex systems with survivors of trauma, I am passionate about ensuring that our churches offer safety where all can grow in their faith free of fear of abuse or harm. 

What brings you the most joy as you journey alongside churches and ministry leaders? 

I am passionate about supporting councils to create policies and systems that prevent abuse from occurring in the places where we worship. I find joy in my work when I watch individuals and churches speak truth and stand with individuals who have been abused, and follow good processes when responding to an allegation.I am also passionate about continuing to learn about abuse prevention within the church context and finding resources for survivors. 

How can congregations connect with you?

Visit the Thrive website at crcna.org/thrive/consultants