Hi Marilyn, thanks for bringing this question to the Network! We just posted this article, titled: Safe Church amid COVID-19: Resources for Youth Ministry, Social Media, and Online Streaming. I hope it is helpful. It does not go deep into all of the things that a Safe Church Team could be doing, but hopefully allows many to see a variety of needs - and some items a Safe Church Team could be doing amid COVID-19.
A few thoughts come to mind. The first is that Safe Church Ministry recommends every church have a team in place to assess their own community's culture of abuse prevention, facilitate background checks, training in policy and a variety of efforts to raise awareness of abuse, and respond to abuse with compassion and justice that foster healing. This looks different in every congregation, but I have been inspired from my experiences with how churches have been able to assess and identify some people from within their community that are connected to local community resources that are experts in this. I would also wonder about resources from the school to help train volunteers from the church.
Lastly, I did a quick look and found a local Childhood Advocacy Center in Rochester, NY, called Bivona Childhood Advocacy Center. Many CACs have assisted congregations in trainings to prevent abuse.
Also, Plan to Protect has been used by a variety of churches to help create policy and train their volunteers.
Those are just a few thoughts! Feel free to email me at [email protected] and I may also be able to connect you to a person in your classis who may further support you.
Great questions - and I'm sure many of us who have started organizations and attempted to come alongside them can identify with your questions.
I work for Safe Church Ministry part-time - and also am planting a church as a bi-vocational pastor. Also, on the side I have been leading a non-profit recreational sport as it sets up official bylaws and attains a sustainable board of directors and a 501c status.
From my perspective there are two routes you could go: 1. The ministry stays under the umbrella of the church; or 2. The ministry creates its own board of directors and starts an official non-profit through creating articles of incorporation with the state - as well as at the federal level - if they are mostly a ministry to children they would qualify as a 501c3.
There are pros and cons to either route. The second would put a great amount of extra work into creating its own corporation. After going through the process with two different organizations, I will say that it can be done, but there are a fair level of complications that inevitably come up.
In my own opinion, it could be an incredible blessing if your church corporation would be willing to come alongside of this new ministry and provide all of the backend stuff when it comes to liability, donations, child protection and assisting those associated with the leadership. It could be a fair amount of work, but if you have a few people in your congregation who have a passion to see this dance ministry be a blessing in your community it could be a tremendous way to share the kingdom.
Partnership, open communication, and meeting them where they have needs will be necessary - hopefully they might be able integrate more with your congregation throughout the process!
That is just my opinion as a church planter and community organizer.
Lastly, to answer some of your questions. I am not an expert, but here are some thoughts:
Liability: Be in direct conversation with your insurance provider and make sure there are proper coverages and protections for everything that is happening within this ministry. If your council agrees to partner at this level with this ministry - explain to your insurance provider that your congregation is assisting with liability protection.
Leadership: Again, if you council agrees to partner with this ministry over the next few years, be sure to ask for a level of structure from them and how they would then be accountable to the church's council. Would there be a specific committee for this ministry that would have a level of authority from the church's council? If so, this committee then could be the governing body for the ministry - as opposed to them having to form their own board of directors (and deal with incorporating, insurance coverage, finances, and all the active ministry stuff as well).
Child Protection: It would be a fair request then to ask the ministry to form a specific policy for their ministry to be approved by the committee that they are accountable to. This may be modeled off from the church's existing child protection policy - be sure to visit this yearly to make sure that it is a policy that is executable.
Donations: The committee could also be that in between governing body who could discuss how donations and the budget would function - it could then fit into a line item of the church budget and donations to the ministry could have special designations for that line item.
I hope I acknowledged some of your questions - and note that these are just things to consider from my own experience, and should not be taken as "expert" advice, but I hope this is helpful.
We will take this comment into consideration as we create more resources that are applicable across ministries.
Also, your yearly training idea sounds really good as well! While I wasn't able to find a quick video, I was able to find this document with some child sexual abuse essentials from brotherhood Mutual as well.
One other opportunity that we strongly recommend is a program called Circle of Grace. It would take the place of normal Sunday curriculum for a few weeks that is normally done on a Sunday. Many churches have found it to be an active, interactive way for teachers/ volunteers and children to process openly about safety, sexuality, and abuse. It integrates boundaries with faith in an incredible and age appropriate way for each grade level. More information can be found at our page: crcna.org/SafeChurch/circle-grace.
Hi Chris, thanks for putting this question out there!
I do think our churches need to re-think how we use digital information - especially with social media, pictures, and the ways that they all connect and are very public. Here is a link to a sample social media policy by Brotherhood Mutual.
However, it sounds like you are having an issue with the privacy of your email address/contact information. Perhaps this sample policy, also from Brotherhood Mutual, would be helpful. Unfortunately, some individuals take contact info and use it in a way that others, like you, wouldn't like it to be used - this is somewhat out of the control of the church. In your case, I might also encourage you to contact the person from your church who is sending you his company emails and ask to be removed - often companies have an unsubscribe button that quickly takes you off their list.
In addition to the wise and helpful words that Bonnie and Eric shared - I also feel some of your pain that you share as we continue to struggle in this fallen world, which still belongs to God.
One thing that has helped give me some perspective is a simple saying by Rev. Ron Nydam - former professor of Pastoral Care at Calvin Seminary: "You can't give what you never got." We as people are dependent on the common & special grace that God gives to people - and people receive this - sometimes supernaturally, but more often through a remnant (often called His church) that God is preserving through which he continues to give people his grace. Unfortunately, there are many people who have gone through a wide range of circumstances in life that inhibit their capacity to love and be loved. In this case, often people cannot love others because they have not been given a rooted and persistent love. However, God often intervenes and breaks the chains and cycles - and I think your questioning is one means of breaking these chains.
As Bonnie and Eric mentioned - I too encourage you to do this kind of self-reflection that is present in your post. In addition, finding some key people who you can trust and will continue to give you the things you need to be a person of peace and grace - so that you continue to "get what you want to give."
Great question! Decreasing the risks involved in a public display of aggression and violence is important for everyone in your church community. The office of Safe Church Ministry is primarily a resource for responding to the occurrence of abuse & prevention of abuse - so security and risk of public violence is not necessarily in our area of expertise. We however want to point you towards some excellent resources for security training. One of those resources is from Brotherhood Mutual, a leader in insurance coverage for churches. They have a free download called Big Book Checklist that offers several risk management checklists for ministries. If you look at page 51 there is a page titled "Violence in the Church." As you look through this checklist there may be several things that you could integrate into your policy for training your elders and deacons - specifically a regular training that a percentage of the church's leadership could go through so that your community is prepared for a variety of scenarios that could possibly come up.
Kim, thanks so much for your encouraging comment! Thank you for your prayers for continued increase in awareness of abuse in the church. Yes, your experience is definitely not an anomaly, you are not alone. I also am continuing to pray that the spirit leads us in truth and grace as we become churches that bearing each other’s burdens and foster a culture of being a "Safe" church.
Hi Bill, you seem to imply that Bonnie, and others, are using Critical Theory, instead of their Christian lens, through following Jesus, and believing biblical justice as the grounds for sharing their words. It is fine to feel chippy and not be a fan of Critical Theory, but there are concepts here regarding systems, power, and injustices that are actually experienced by people. To simply say seeing those injustices rely upon Critical Theory foundation - and not real experiences of people, which are made in the image of God, and which the justice and grace of Jesus is applicable may be causing you to miss the point of Bonnie's piece here, in my opinion. AOC may be a critical theorist (I don't know...), and not have "biblical justifications" yet, her experiences are completely in the realm of the need for justice - and not just her, but for many women who have experienced similar levels of harassment, or that of being accosted. And... I'm not a fan of online debates, but did feel the need to address this.
Posted in: Safe Church Policy Provision for Youth Mentoring Program?
Thanks for posting this, Virgina! I am curious to hear how congregations or organizations are navigating individual mentoring as well. :)
Posted in: Safe Church During COVID?
Hi Marilyn, thanks for bringing this question to the Network! We just posted this article, titled: Safe Church amid COVID-19: Resources for Youth Ministry, Social Media, and Online Streaming. I hope it is helpful. It does not go deep into all of the things that a Safe Church Team could be doing, but hopefully allows many to see a variety of needs - and some items a Safe Church Team could be doing amid COVID-19.
Also, Abuse Awareness Sunday is just around the corner on September 27th - you can see some abuse awareness resources on our website here, and this year we have highlighted Power as a topic to learn more about - you can view the bulletin insert here.
Thanks for all you are doing in your church!
Posted in: Training for Volunteers Working With Children at Church and Local School?
Thanks for your question, Nancy,
A few thoughts come to mind. The first is that Safe Church Ministry recommends every church have a team in place to assess their own community's culture of abuse prevention, facilitate background checks, training in policy and a variety of efforts to raise awareness of abuse, and respond to abuse with compassion and justice that foster healing. This looks different in every congregation, but I have been inspired from my experiences with how churches have been able to assess and identify some people from within their community that are connected to local community resources that are experts in this. I would also wonder about resources from the school to help train volunteers from the church.
Lastly, I did a quick look and found a local Childhood Advocacy Center in Rochester, NY, called Bivona Childhood Advocacy Center. Many CACs have assisted congregations in trainings to prevent abuse.
Also, Plan to Protect has been used by a variety of churches to help create policy and train their volunteers.
Those are just a few thoughts! Feel free to email me at [email protected] and I may also be able to connect you to a person in your classis who may further support you.
Posted in: Starting a Ministry...Advice Needed
Hi Dave,
Great questions - and I'm sure many of us who have started organizations and attempted to come alongside them can identify with your questions.
I work for Safe Church Ministry part-time - and also am planting a church as a bi-vocational pastor. Also, on the side I have been leading a non-profit recreational sport as it sets up official bylaws and attains a sustainable board of directors and a 501c status.
From my perspective there are two routes you could go: 1. The ministry stays under the umbrella of the church; or 2. The ministry creates its own board of directors and starts an official non-profit through creating articles of incorporation with the state - as well as at the federal level - if they are mostly a ministry to children they would qualify as a 501c3.
There are pros and cons to either route. The second would put a great amount of extra work into creating its own corporation. After going through the process with two different organizations, I will say that it can be done, but there are a fair level of complications that inevitably come up.
In my own opinion, it could be an incredible blessing if your church corporation would be willing to come alongside of this new ministry and provide all of the backend stuff when it comes to liability, donations, child protection and assisting those associated with the leadership. It could be a fair amount of work, but if you have a few people in your congregation who have a passion to see this dance ministry be a blessing in your community it could be a tremendous way to share the kingdom.
Partnership, open communication, and meeting them where they have needs will be necessary - hopefully they might be able integrate more with your congregation throughout the process!
That is just my opinion as a church planter and community organizer.
Lastly, to answer some of your questions. I am not an expert, but here are some thoughts:
Liability: Be in direct conversation with your insurance provider and make sure there are proper coverages and protections for everything that is happening within this ministry. If your council agrees to partner at this level with this ministry - explain to your insurance provider that your congregation is assisting with liability protection.
Leadership: Again, if you council agrees to partner with this ministry over the next few years, be sure to ask for a level of structure from them and how they would then be accountable to the church's council. Would there be a specific committee for this ministry that would have a level of authority from the church's council? If so, this committee then could be the governing body for the ministry - as opposed to them having to form their own board of directors (and deal with incorporating, insurance coverage, finances, and all the active ministry stuff as well).
Child Protection: It would be a fair request then to ask the ministry to form a specific policy for their ministry to be approved by the committee that they are accountable to. This may be modeled off from the church's existing child protection policy - be sure to visit this yearly to make sure that it is a policy that is executable.
Donations: The committee could also be that in between governing body who could discuss how donations and the budget would function - it could then fit into a line item of the church budget and donations to the ministry could have special designations for that line item.
I hope I acknowledged some of your questions - and note that these are just things to consider from my own experience, and should not be taken as "expert" advice, but I hope this is helpful.
Rev. Eric Kas (BIO) -
[email protected]
CRCNA - Safe Church Associate
616.224.0717 (office)
Posted in: Church Safety Video?
We will take this comment into consideration as we create more resources that are applicable across ministries.
Also, your yearly training idea sounds really good as well! While I wasn't able to find a quick video, I was able to find this document with some child sexual abuse essentials from brotherhood Mutual as well.
One other opportunity that we strongly recommend is a program called Circle of Grace. It would take the place of normal Sunday curriculum for a few weeks that is normally done on a Sunday. Many churches have found it to be an active, interactive way for teachers/ volunteers and children to process openly about safety, sexuality, and abuse. It integrates boundaries with faith in an incredible and age appropriate way for each grade level. More information can be found at our page: crcna.org/SafeChurch/circle-grace.
Hope this is helpful!
Eric
Posted in: Policy on Churches Protecting Personal Email Addresses
Hi Chris, thanks for putting this question out there!
I do think our churches need to re-think how we use digital information - especially with social media, pictures, and the ways that they all connect and are very public. Here is a link to a sample social media policy by Brotherhood Mutual.
However, it sounds like you are having an issue with the privacy of your email address/contact information. Perhaps this sample policy, also from Brotherhood Mutual, would be helpful. Unfortunately, some individuals take contact info and use it in a way that others, like you, wouldn't like it to be used - this is somewhat out of the control of the church. In your case, I might also encourage you to contact the person from your church who is sending you his company emails and ask to be removed - often companies have an unsubscribe button that quickly takes you off their list.
I hope this is helpful!
Posted in: Prayer for Wisdom
Hello Dirk,
In addition to the wise and helpful words that Bonnie and Eric shared - I also feel some of your pain that you share as we continue to struggle in this fallen world, which still belongs to God.
One thing that has helped give me some perspective is a simple saying by Rev. Ron Nydam - former professor of Pastoral Care at Calvin Seminary: "You can't give what you never got." We as people are dependent on the common & special grace that God gives to people - and people receive this - sometimes supernaturally, but more often through a remnant (often called His church) that God is preserving through which he continues to give people his grace. Unfortunately, there are many people who have gone through a wide range of circumstances in life that inhibit their capacity to love and be loved. In this case, often people cannot love others because they have not been given a rooted and persistent love. However, God often intervenes and breaks the chains and cycles - and I think your questioning is one means of breaking these chains.
As Bonnie and Eric mentioned - I too encourage you to do this kind of self-reflection that is present in your post. In addition, finding some key people who you can trust and will continue to give you the things you need to be a person of peace and grace - so that you continue to "get what you want to give."
Keep on keeping on brother!
Eric Kas
Posted in: Security Protocol for Disruptive People in Church Services
Hello Linda,
Great question! Decreasing the risks involved in a public display of aggression and violence is important for everyone in your church community. The office of Safe Church Ministry is primarily a resource for responding to the occurrence of abuse & prevention of abuse - so security and risk of public violence is not necessarily in our area of expertise. We however want to point you towards some excellent resources for security training. One of those resources is from Brotherhood Mutual, a leader in insurance coverage for churches. They have a free download called Big Book Checklist that offers several risk management checklists for ministries. If you look at page 51 there is a page titled "Violence in the Church." As you look through this checklist there may be several things that you could integrate into your policy for training your elders and deacons - specifically a regular training that a percentage of the church's leadership could go through so that your community is prepared for a variety of scenarios that could possibly come up.
I hope this helps!
Blessings,
Eric Kas - Safe Church Associate
Posted in: Considering Trees, Mycorrhiza and Safe Church Ministry: A Holistic Culture of Thriving Connections
Thanks Jane! I have appreciated partnering with you as you minister in so many vital ways in Classis Muskegon. I look forward to our work together. :)
Posted in: Considering Trees, Mycorrhiza and Safe Church Ministry: A Holistic Culture of Thriving Connections
Amen, sister!
Posted in: Considering Trees, Mycorrhiza and Safe Church Ministry: A Holistic Culture of Thriving Connections
Kim, thanks so much for your encouraging comment! Thank you for your prayers for continued increase in awareness of abuse in the church. Yes, your experience is definitely not an anomaly, you are not alone. I also am continuing to pray that the spirit leads us in truth and grace as we become churches that bearing each other’s burdens and foster a culture of being a "Safe" church.
Posted in: A Reflection: Is This OK?
Hi Bill, you seem to imply that Bonnie, and others, are using Critical Theory, instead of their Christian lens, through following Jesus, and believing biblical justice as the grounds for sharing their words. It is fine to feel chippy and not be a fan of Critical Theory, but there are concepts here regarding systems, power, and injustices that are actually experienced by people. To simply say seeing those injustices rely upon Critical Theory foundation - and not real experiences of people, which are made in the image of God, and which the justice and grace of Jesus is applicable may be causing you to miss the point of Bonnie's piece here, in my opinion.
AOC may be a critical theorist (I don't know...), and not have "biblical justifications" yet, her experiences are completely in the realm of the need for justice - and not just her, but for many women who have experienced similar levels of harassment, or that of being accosted.
And... I'm not a fan of online debates, but did feel the need to address this.