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