Safe Sanctuaries

Children hold a special place in God’s family. Jesus taught that children were to be included and provided for within the community of faith. When the crowd tried to devalue children and keep them away from Jesus, he was quick to respond, “Let the children come to me for to such belongs the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16).

Children hold a special place in our Church’s family. In the Baptismal Covenant, professing members assume a holy responsibility “to so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal” (The United Methodist Hymnal, page 44). Our promise places solemn responsibility on each person to help children grow in the knowledge of God’s love and as whole persons.

As Christians, we take our responsibility to nurture children very seriously. We acknowledge the “sacred trust to maintain an environment that is safe for people to live and grow in God’s love. Sexual misconduct in the church and ministry settings impedes the mission of Jesus Christ. Leaders have the responsibility not only to avoid actions and words that hurt others, but also to protect the vulnerable against actions or words which cause harm” (Resolution 36, The Book of Resolutions, 2004).

The spiritual consequences of doing harm are significant. The victim’s physical and emotional pain and suffering as well as a loss of trust and faith are barriers to the abundant life Christ desires to give. Jesus took these negative consequences so seriously that he warned against impeding the faith of others by saying, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones…it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

We fail in our responsibilities if we neglect to take adequate precautions against abuse in our churches. It is unlikely that we can completely prevent child abuse in every situation, but it is possible for us to greatly reduce the risk by following a thorough practical policy of prevention. This policy attempts to do just that for local church. It is based on our understanding of the widespread problem of abuse throughout our country.

Every 15 seconds a child is abused or neglected. Often abuse occurs in settings where children, youth or vulnerable adults should have been able to feel safe -- homes, schools, camps, and most sadly the church. In more than three quarters of the reported incidents of child abuse, the victim was related to or acquainted with the abuser.

It is the purpose of this policy to protect the children, youth and vulnerable adults that participate in the ministries of the church; to protect our staff, both paid and volunteer, from potential false allegations of abuse; and to protect all the various ministry assets of the church for making disciples of Jesus Christ.

This policy presents a comprehensive plan that includes the areas of: Screening, Supervision, Reporting, and Response. These delineated policies are the MINIMUM necessary precautions for protecting children. College Place United Methodist Church will endeavor to monitor updates and recommendations by The United Methodist Church and may modify these procedures.

Adopted by College Place United Methodist Church, Church Council, September 18, 2008.

Click here to open a .pdf detailing the Safe Sanctuaries policy at College Place United Methodist Church.