Post on 15-Dec-2015
Safe Church Ministry
Safe Church Ministry comes alongside churches to
prevent and respond to abuse
What Does Safe Church Ministry Do?
We encourage abuse prevention• Safe church policies which affirm the value
of all people• A nurturing, respectful environment
We respond to abuse that has occurred• Opportunities to promote healing and
wholeness• Compassionate justice and accountability
Why should my church care about abuse?
Because it’s thereThough often hidden
Because we are all part of One Body Hurt in one part affects the entire body
Because the Church is a light to the worldDignity, Honor, Self-sacrificing Love for ALL
Because It’s There• Child Abuse: Every ten seconds; 90% know perpetrator • Sexual Assault: Every two minutes, 248,300 in 2007 • Intimate Partner Violence: 2,340 deaths in 2007; 70%
female• Teen Dating Violence: 10% of students physically hurt in
past 12 months• Clergy Sexual Misconduct: 3% of adult women
attending religious services once a month* *Baylor University School of Social Work Study – 2008Other stats from US Dept. of Justice
Because We are One Body“From him the whole body, joined and held
together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its
work” Ephesians 4:16
• We need each other, we need each and every part for the whole to function, for the church to grow and become what we are called to be
• Wounds (like abuse) need to be prevented and attended to for body health
A Light to the World
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before
others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
• We are called to be different from the world around us, as a witness to our Lord
• A question of power – the way of the world is power over others vs. the way of the Lord is using power to serve others in love
How did Safe Church Ministry begin?
• 1989 – A committee was formed and mandated by Synod to study the problem of abuse
• 1992 – Calvin College Social Research Center published results of a survey on abuse in the CRC (28% had been abused & 15% had abused someone else)
• 1994 – Office of Abuse Prevention was created, now known as Safe Church Ministry
What’s been accomplished by Safe Church Ministry?
1997 - Present• Resources, including books, videos, training
materials & a website for online resources• Protocols, for responding to allegations of
abuse by a church leader• Safe Church Policies, in 50% of CRC churches• Safe Church Teams, created and trained
Safe Church Team, What’s that?
Safe Church Teams are a Classis or Regional partner helping to build and sustain healthy congregations by:
• Providing education to church members about abuse prevention and response
• Giving support to those who have been affected by abuse
• Offering the Advisory Panel Process in cases of alleged abuse by a church leader
So What Does this Mean?
• For my Classis or RegionDoes my classis or region have a Safe Church Team? If not, what are the obstacles? What are next steps?• For my church Does my church have a representative willing to serve on a Safe Church Team? Does my church have a safe church policy? If not, what are the obstacles? What are next steps?• For meDo I understand the dynamics of abuse to recognize it?
Is the Lord calling me to get involved?
Is all this really necessary?YES!
The work will continue until all of our churches are truly Safe* • Every church adheres to a safe church policy• Every church follows approved protocols for
responding to church leader misconduct• Issues of abuse can be freely discussed without
shame (it’s OK to talk about it)• Leadership at all levels is committed to Safe
Church Ministry*Building Safe Church Ministry Conference – 5/2011
Where can I get help?
The Office of Safe Church Ministry is here to be of service to you!
• Website – www.crcna.org/Safechurch• Director – safechurchministry@crcna.org or
616-224-0735; don’t hesitate to contact Bonnie Nicholas, Director
• Classis and Regional Safe Church Resources – currently available in some areas, being developed in other areas