HEALTHY FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY

HEALTHY FAMILIES FOR ETERNITY REACH THE WORLD
96
A Family Ministries Policy
and Purpose Statement
The congregation and staff of the ______
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Church are committed to providing a safe
environment to help children learn to love
and follow Jesus Christ. It is the purpose of this
congregation to prevent any form of child abuse
physical, emotional or sexual and to protect
children and those who work with them.
Churches with programs for children are
not insulated from those who abuse: therefore,
this congregation believes that it is vitally
important to take decisive steps to ensure that
the church and its programs are safe, providing
a joyful experience for children and youth. The
following policies have been established and
reflect our commitment to provide protective
care of all children when they are attending any
church sponsored activity.
• Volunteers who work with children and youth
are required to be active members of this
congregation for a minimum of six months,
and must be approved by appropriate church
personnel before they may begin working
directly with children, unless there has been
previous documented clearance.
• All NAD employees and NAD
volunteers who regularly work with
children must complete an application
form (see NAD’s Children’s Ministries
website: http://childmin.com/files/docs/
VolMinScreeningForm.pdf). References
must be obtained from potential volunteers.
Appropriate personnel or staff must check
those references. Other divisions are
encouraged to follow this procedure.
• All workers with children should observe
the “two person” rule, which means that
workers must avoid one-on-one situations
with children whenever possible.
• Adult survivors of childhood physical or
sexual abuse need the love and acceptance
of the church family. Individuals with such
a history must discuss their desire to work
with children and youth with one of the
staff in a confidential interview prior to
receiving approval to work in these areas.
• Individuals who have committed physical or
sexual abuse, whether or not convicted, may
not work in church –sponsored activities or
programs for children or youth.
• Opportunities for training in prevention
and recognition of child abuse will be
provided by the church. Workers will be
expected to participate in such training.