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
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.
Protection of Precious Resources
A Caring Ministry
Kids our Sacred Trust
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.
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
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)
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
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
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
Monitoring Your Program
Premises Review
& Training
Screening
Follow-up
Taking
Corrective
Action
Abuse Free
Christ – Centered
Children’s
Ministries
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