Three Ways Your Children's Ministry Can Be Ready for Back-to-School
Summer is one of my favorite seasons. It brings relaxed schedules full of spontaneous trips to the pool, late evenings catching lightning bugs, and the smell of hot dogs on the grill. The very best thing about summer, for me, has always been the beginning of August, which brings the excitement of a new school year. Stores start to put out composition notebooks, lunchboxes, and backpacks, signaling a fresh start.
A new school year always brings feelings of a fresh start. This is also a good time for church leaders to bring that same fresh start perspective to their children's ministry. Whether you have a Sunday school or a separate service for children during the adult service, this back-to-school season is a perfect time to refresh your protocols for your children’s ministry.
The church has a profound responsibility to ensure that children are kept safe and, if something happens, to respond in a sensitive and appropriate manner. Historically, there have been lapses within the church in protecting against abuse. We must now examine the contemporary role the church can play in supporting survivors of sexual assault. In the United States, every 9 minutes, a child is sexually assaulted. According to research, 44% of U.S. Christians who attend church have been victims of sexual misconduct. One estimate from three of the largest faith-based insurance companies indicates an average of 260 claims of sexual abuse per year.
With nearly 15 years of legal expertise and a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by faith-based organizations, particularly through my role as a Pastor’s wife and a leader in my local church’s children’s ministry, I know the challenges churches face when protecting children. It is imperative that church leaders work with their children's ministries to ensure children's safety. Here are three key procedures to implement for a safer environment this back-to-school season:
1. Double-Check Your Environment to Ensure Visibility
Many instances of abuse occur when the abuser has proximity to the child and the opportunity to harm. Environments where people cannot be seen can create that opportunity. Ensure children are not in rooms with closed doors, or if doors must be closed, there should be windows for visibility. Check that stairwells are well-lit and always open. For private conversations with a child, ensure they are seen but not heard by having them in a common area far enough from others to maintain privacy while ensuring visibility.
2. Implement Strict Drop-Off and Pick-Up Policies
Have the same volunteer at registration facilitate the pick-up of children. A best practice is to give the person dropping off the child a corresponding ticket with a number. The person picking up the child must present the same ticket to receive the child. Only parents or guardians should be allowed to pick up or drop off the child. Do not let children leave with another child or someone who did not drop them off.
3. Pair Background Checks with Reference Checks for Volunteers
Most instances of sexual abuse are unreported; only 12% of child sexual abuse is reported to authorities. This means most child sexual abuse would not show up on a background check. Churches should call the potential volunteer’s past congregation and ask questions. Don’t just call the references provided; also reach out to the children’s ministry coordinator or the Pastor for information about the person.
Following these three procedures is a great way to refresh your children’s ministry for this back-to-school season. Keeping kids safe is our goal year-round.
Interested in making your church a safer space? Email me at Christina@commandjoyco.com to start the journey towards prevention and support with Command Joy Co.
