Establishing a Safe and Caring Ministry for Children and Vulnerable Adults Arthur F. Blinci, ARM Vice President Adventist Risk Management Riverside, California A Leadership Certification Course #6

Put on a sheet of paper the name of one you especially want to spend eternity? Find someone you do not know and share what relationship this person is to you.

Our Most Valuable Ones  The ministry of children… –Sabbath School –Vacation Bible School –Adventurers –Pathfinders –Juniors & Earliteen –Youth –Child Care Center Other ministries?  A multitude of opportunity and risk

Jesus Said... “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me… –Mark 9:37 By both His teachings and example, Jesus highlighted the importance of children.

We are entrusted with the care of children:  We must make sure interaction is safe and properly supervised  We have a moral and legal obligation to treat our children as precious to God, and to us. Kids our Sacred Trust Protection of Precious Resources A Caring Ministry

Care of Children Parents have the right to expect that the Church will provide proper care for their children: Proper Supervision during activities Releasing children to appropriate adults Protecting adult volunteers and employees by good working practice

Opportunities for Best Practices “The local church should take reasonable steps to safeguard children engaged in church-sponsored activities by choosing individuals with high spiritual and moral backgrounds as leaders and participants in programs for children.” Church Manual Revision – 2000

Churches Are Vulnerable Community of Trust Ignorance of Facts Lack of Safeguards Easy Access – public building Constant Need for Volunteers to help with Children and Youth Child Abusers are aware of these vulnerabilities – 80% abusers attend church

Facts About Child Sexual Abuse  Child Age Victims –1 in 3 Girls by age 18 –1 in 8 Boys by age 18  Over 80% of the time the Abuser is known by the Victim  75% of all crimes committed against children is sexual in nature

More Facts  If abuse occurs in a Church a respected member will most likely be the molester – need for power and control  Sexual abuse occurs in all races, socioeconomic and religious groups  The average age of victims is 8-11 year old  Sexual abuse is rarely a one time offense  Children seldom lie about Sexual abuse – Less than 8%

Personal Ministry Respect/Concern –Children –Volunteers –Employees Good Screening –FORMS: –Disclosure/Barring Service and KCFS Policy Appendix D Six Month Rule = Defer using new members/Use Screening Forms Education End it Now

Strategic Ministry –Keeping our church family safe Child Abuse Awareness training must be included as part of the leadership training of all individuals who work with our children This includes proper screening of employees and volunteers Have a plan to report Abuse Cases

Implement the Two Adult Rule in Children’s Ministry – Discuss on your table: What can you do if you do not have 2 adults for a Sabbath School Class? KCFS Policy Section - Practice and Procedure E 2 (a) Implement the Two Adult Rule in Children’s Ministry – Discuss on your table: What can you do if you do not have 2 adults for a Sabbath School Class? KCFS Policy Section - Practice and Procedure E 2 (a) Develop Best Practices

 Involvement is Critical to the Success of your Policy Children’s MinistriesChildren’s Ministries ProfessionalsProfessionals Pastoral TeamPastoral Team ParentsParents YouthYouth Volunteers  Not the Pastor’s Job  Board Approval & Implementation – Charity Law  Involvement is Critical to the Success of your Policy Children’s MinistriesChildren’s Ministries ProfessionalsProfessionals Pastoral TeamPastoral Team ParentsParents YouthYouth Volunteers  Not the Pastor’s Job  Board Approval & Implementation – Charity Law Church Leadership Support

Job descriptions are simple & Understandable Establish Rules of Best Conduct as outlined in KCFS Screening Measures used – What Forms? Establish a Six Month Rule Establish a Two Adult Rule Church Board approval of All Off-site and Overnight Activities Job descriptions are simple & Understandable Establish Rules of Best Conduct as outlined in KCFS Screening Measures used – What Forms? Establish a Six Month Rule Establish a Two Adult Rule Church Board approval of All Off-site and Overnight Activities Does your church follow these Key Policy Elements?

A Sacred Trust… One Strike and You’re Out … RIGHT OR WRONG ? Caught after 300 Incidents as in cases of the Entertainers and Priests

Keep Focused on the MISSION… Protecting a child from Harm Loss of Trust Potential Liability Church Resources –Money –Time –Diversion from Mission Negative Press False Accusations

Premises Review & Training Screening Follow-up Taking Corrective Action Abuse Free Christ – Centered Children’s Children’s Ministries Ministries Monitoring Your Program

Universal Ministry Everyone Shares in the Responsibility –Parents –Leaders –Volunteers Moral & Legal Duty A privilege of Service to mould young minds for eternity

It Takes Commitment Our Adventist Community will be a safe environment where children: feel loved and valued by God/Us know of their own importance and worth grow and develop their character learn to act responsibly towards themselves and others