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Safe Church Policy

Creating a Safe Environment at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church

September 2005

Preamble

We believe that every person is made in the image of God and is entitled to be treated with dignity, respect and integrity. At St. Jacobs Mennonite Church we seek to ensure that all of our programs for children and youth provide a safe and nurturing environment. We recognize that people involved in leadership positions in such programs are entrusted with this important responsibility. While we do not want to create an atmosphere of suspicion we recognize that the potential for abuse exists within our church context.

Purpose

Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) has recommended that each church develop a guideline of precaution. The following policy seeks to fulfil that recommendation. (MCEC Policy)

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • take all reasonable steps to protect our children and youth from potential abuse
  • protect volunteers from any misunderstandings and false accusations
  • protect the church from unnecessary litigation

The Policy

  1. All church volunteers who regularly work with children or youth in structured programs of our church will be advised that they have been St. Jacobs Mennonite Church appointed to a position of trust and asked to sign the Volunteer Commitment to Create a Safe Environment for Children and Youth at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church (see attachment).

This includes all:

  • children and youth Sunday School teachers
  • Junior Youth sponsors
  • Youth mentors
  • M.Y.F. sponsors
  • Nursery/child care attendants
  1. All church volunteers who regularly work with children or youth will be expected to refrain from verbal, physical or sexual abuse directed to the young people in their care (to clarify what constitutes abuse see pages 1 & 2 of MCEC Policy, "A Plan to Protect" or from Karen Sauder’s office).
  2. Individuals who are new to our congregation will not be invited to serve in positions of trust with children or youth until they have been active participants in our congregational life for at least six months, unless they are transferring their active membership from another congregation. In this case, a pastor will consult with a pastor from the previous congregation.
  3. If the pastors are aware of any individuals in the congregation who, on the basis of previous behaviour, should not be invited to serve in positions of responsibility with children or youth they shall inform the people responsible for recruiting volunteers about these individuals in advance, and these persons will not be assigned to any positions involving working with children or youth. If a member of the congregation becomes aware of such a situation he/she should inform a pastor.
  4. Anyone who believes that he/she has been treated in a way which violates this policy is urged to express his/her concerns to a person in a position of leadership such as a pastor, an elder, a member of Leadership Council or a member of Staff St. Jacobs Mennonite Church Relations Committee. They will respond to the allegations using the "St. Jacobs Mennonite Church: Guidelines for Dealing with Abuse". If a concern involves the behaviour of one of the pastors, then the individual may express the concern to another pastor, an elder, a member of Leadership Council, a member of Staff Relations Committee or the Minister of Pastoral Services at MCEC.
  5. Anyone who becomes concerned that a child or youth in their care may be being abused is obligated to discuss their concerns with one of the pastors. They will respond using the "St. Jacobs Mennonite Church: Guidelines for Dealing with Abuse." St. Jacobs Mennonite Church: Guidelines for Dealing with Abuse Any incident in which there is a concern for the safety or well being of a child or youth under the care or supervision of our church staff or volunteers will be taken seriously and shall be investigated 

In the event that any complaint of abuse of a child or youth is made the following steps will be taken:

The suspicion must be reported immediately to the local Family & Children’s Services and/or the police and a pastor in the congregation. F&CS will investigate the alleged incident.

If a pastor is accused of abusing a child or youth the suspicion must be reported immediately to the local Family & Children’s Services and/or the police. MCEC will be contacted and the MCEC guidelines for resolution and support will be followed.

The process of dealing with the alleged abuse will be carefully documented, including dates, times and the content of conversations pertaining to the alleged abuse.

A Response Team of 3-5 impartial members (including a pastor) will be appointed to ensure that all involved will receive a caring and appropriate response from the church body. Care will be taken to avoid any conflict of interest for any member of this team. The Response Team will hold all matters regarding the incident and the procedures in strict confidence.

The Response Team will contact the church's lawyer and insurance broker to satisfy the statutory conditions of its liability and to avoid jeopardizing any available coverage response. The Response Team is encouraged to approach MCEC for additional advice and support.

The Response Team will refrain from admitting liability or from making public statements without obtaining formal legal counsel.

The Response Team will develop plans to offer pastoral and possibly clinical support of all parties involved, including family members.