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Establishing a Safe and Caring Ministry for Children and Vulnerable Adults

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

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Establishing a Safe and Caring Ministry for Children and Vulnerable Adults

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

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. Protection of Precious ResourcesA Caring Ministry 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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%

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Develop Best Practices 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)

  14. Church Leadership Support • Involvement is Critical to the Success of your Policy • Children’s Ministries • Professionals • Pastoral Team • Parents • Youth Volunteers • Not the Pastor’s Job • Board Approval & Implementation – Charity Law

  15. Does your church follow these Key Policy Elements? • 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

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

  17. 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

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

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

  20. 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

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