Establishing a Safe and Caring Establishing a Safe and Caring Ministry for Children and Ministry for Children and Vulnerable AdultsVulnerable Adults

Arthur F. Blinci, ARM

Vice President

Adventist Risk Management

Riverside, California

A Leadership CertificationCourse #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 OnesOur 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 ResourcesA Caring MinistryProtection of Precious ResourcesA Caring Ministry

Care of ChildrenParents 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 PracticesOpportunities for Best Practices

“The local church should take reasonablesteps to safeguard children engaged inchurch-sponsored activities by choosingindividuals with high spiritual and moral backgrounds as leaders and participants in programs for children.”

Church Manual Revision – 2000 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 Develop Best Practices

Involvement is Critical to the Success Involvement is Critical to the Success of your Policyof your Policy

• Children’s MinistriesChildren’s Ministries• ProfessionalsProfessionals• Pastoral TeamPastoral Team• ParentsParents• Youth Youth Volunteers Not the Pastor’s JobNot the Pastor’s Job Board Approval & Implementation – Board Approval & Implementation –

Charity LawCharity Law

Involvement is Critical to the Success Involvement is Critical to the Success of your Policyof your Policy

• Children’s MinistriesChildren’s Ministries• ProfessionalsProfessionals• Pastoral TeamPastoral Team• ParentsParents• Youth Youth Volunteers Not the Pastor’s JobNot the Pastor’s Job Board Approval & Implementation – Board Approval & Implementation –

Charity LawCharity Law

Church Leadership SupportChurch Leadership SupportChurch Leadership SupportChurch 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 RuleEstablish a Two Adult RuleChurch 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 RuleEstablish a Two Adult RuleChurch Board approval of All

Off-site and Overnight Activities

Does your church follow these Key Policy Elements?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

TakingCorrectiveAction

Abuse FreeAbuse FreeChrist – CenteredChrist – Centered Children’sChildren’s MinistriesMinistries

Monitoring Your ProgramMonitoring Your ProgramMonitoring Your ProgramMonitoring 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 willbe a safe environment wherechildren:•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