How to Keep Children Safe in Church Programs

You would think that church would be the safest place in the world for children. Sadly, this is not true. It has been shown that many times child predators will volunteer for church programs to have access to children. The church now has ways to make sure the children are safe and adults held accountable for their own safety from any accusations. If you are a church leader, please make sure your church has child protection policy in place. If you are a parent, please make sure the church you attend has a protection policy in place for the safety of your child. Putting safeguards in place is well worth doing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Evaluate the protection policies already set at the church. Then review child protection policy models available on the market such as The Shepherd. Find the areas that apply to your church situation. It doesn’t matter if your church is large or small; policies need to be in place for the protection of the children and for the volunteers and staff.
2. Talk with ministry leaders at your church on reviewing the policies in place and discuss what may be needed. The basic precautions that can be taken are background checks, interviewing volunteers, explanation of the policies and a form to be signed by the volunteer showing they are in agreement, windows put in all the rooms of the church where children would meet, and never allowing one adult to be totally alone with a child or group of children. A hall monitor may be necessary to walk the halls and keep watch of any suspicious behavior.
3. After agreement is made with the leadership of the church, clear explanation to the congregation of the policy to be put in place is necessary. This can be done through a church meeting, bulletin inserts, mailings, and more.
4. Organize a class time for all who will be participating as volunteers in the church to do in depth education. Have a copy of the policy for each participant. Hand out the forms they will need to fill out to be a volunteer at your church. Emphasize that this policy is as much for their protection as it is the children’s.
5. Make sure every requirement is fulfilled in the policy for a safe enjoyable time of ministry with children. Parents will more likely bring their children to your children’s programs if a child protection policy is in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Review policy every year to see if changes need to be made.
• Review policy with volunteers every year.
• Find out from the church insurance policy if there are benefits to having a child protection policy.
• Background checks are done free for nonprofit organizations in some states. Please contact your local law enforcement agency for more information.
• Never allow anyone to skip by without following the policy procedures…no matter how well known they are at the church.