Safe As Churches

Child Safety Guidelines for Local Churches deals with the sensitive subject of child sexual abuse and what churches can do to protect children under their care while at the same time minimizing their own liability. Prevention and training are critical elements in developing a structure that ensures the safety of children while they are in God's house. Sadly, many churches are unprepared to combat the possibility of the unthinkable happening to one of their precious little ones. By not taking reasonable precautions, they not only endanger the welfare of their youngsters, but are subject to charges of gross negligence and significant financial judgments against their congregations. The author outlines numerous steps that any congregation can take to protect both the children and churches they serve.ROGER MCNAMARA is a veteran pastor, missionary, and church planter with more than forty-six years of experience in local church ministry in Latin America and the United States. He has started and worked in half a dozen churches over the past four decades, and now serves as the Church Planting Training Specialist for Baptist Mid-Missions. In this capacity, he works with churches and church planters throughout the United States and Canada teaching, training, and mentoring church leaders. He also serves in a number of leadership positions within the Baptist Mid-Missions' TEAM NORTH AMERICA as well as the registrar for the School of Church Planting. He has published two other books and several leadership training manuals.

Promoting a Safe Church outlines the House of Bishops policy for safeguarding adults in the Church. It includes: a policy for the Church of England on safeguarding adults; examples of good practice for those in positions of trust and those working with vulnerable adults; and, procedures to follow if abuse is suspected or occurs. The House of Bishops wishes to: encourage the safe pastoral care for all adults; raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable adults; and, promote good practice for those in positions of trust. This policy has been endorsed by the House of Bishops as the minimum requirement for all those in the Church of England involved in work with adults who may be vulnerable.

The church has always been regarded as a safe haven - a spiritual sanctuary where people can come to worship God free from worries about violence or unethical behavior by those involved in church ministry. But our culture is changing, and church leaders can no longer assume that it won't happen in my church. Like the rest of society, churches need to ensure the safety and security of their facility, staff, and worshipers. This book provides a wealth of practical information on preparing for and responding to the challenges of a dangerous world. Robert Cirtin draws on more than two decades of law enforcement and investigative experience, and with his team of professionals outlines a how-to approach full of specific proactive steps churches can take to protect themselves and reduce the risk of costly lawsuits. Church Safety And Security is a must-have resource for anyone participating in or preparing for church leadership. Topics covered include: * Utilizing background screening to protect your congregation. * Safety and security issues for church-run preschool and day care programs. * Preparing for and responding to medical emergencies. * How to deal with issues pertaining to child abuse. * Legally mandated responsibilities of church staff members. * How to utilize security/surveillance cameras in the church facility. * Organizing a church security officer program. * Effectively coping with intruders. * Responding to violent acts when they occur. * How to conduct a thorough investigation. If you are a pastor, associate pastor, preschool director, church school principal, deacon, elder, vestryperson, or denominational leader - read this book, then read it again Make it required reading for every leader in your church. Protect your congregation, your property, and your reputation in the community by doing all you can do to hire the right employees, to prevent physical and sexual misconduct for which your church may be liable, and to reduce the legal and financial impacts of such misconduct. This book will teach you what to look for, and how to take action today to protect the people God has given you to shepherd. Tim Duncan Associate Pastor, Anglican Church of the Resurrection St. Louis, Missouri Church Safety and Security: A Practical Guide is a valuable resource. Bob Cirtin has the unusual but important background mixture of service in full-time church ministry as well as being a certified officer of the law and an expert investigator. He has personal experience with every source of danger for the local church and has developed effective safeguards and defenses. His strategies are clear, simple, easy to implement, and will protect any congregation in the event of an unfortunate occurrence. This book is a must for every church office and library Terry Raburn Superintendent, Peninsular Florida District Council Assemblies of God This is a book written for our changing times, when the security of our churches must become a priority. Written by professionals who have a strong Christian influence in their lives, this book is a great tool for the security program of your church. Jack L. Merritt Sheriff, Greene County, Missouri Retired Capt., Missouri State Highway Patrol Robert M. Cirtin is an assistant professor and director of the criminal justice program at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He is also the president of Robert Cirtin Investigations, a company providing investigative and consulting services to churches, businesses, and government agencies. A former police officer and Missouri state investigator who has also served in full-time ministry, Cirtin is a frequent guest lecturer on a variety of safety and security topics. He is a graduate of Central Bible College and Lincoln University.

Kevin Wilcock is the Senior Pastor of Life Church, Newcastle, Australia as well as the founder and leader of Ozreach Australia. He is a leading practitioner in missional churches in Australia as well as leading a relational movement of missional churches. Amongst other things, the run Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) 7 days a week, Seafarers Mission Life Houses emergency accommodation, Pub Church and Soul Café, a feeding program for the homeless and needy, also providing a doctors clinic, Legal Aid, counselling, Centrelink, clothing, and general support. The chapter titles are Chapter 1 - Things are changing Chapter 2 - The missional life Chapter 3 - Uncluttered Christianity Chapter 4 – Understanding cultural trends and spiritual climates Chapter 5 - Missio Dei Chapter 6 - Communitas Chapter 7 - Missio Dei & Communitas Chapter 8 - Leadership in a missional world Chapter 9 - Discipleship in a missional world Chapter 10 - Pastoral care and shepherding in a missional world Chapter 11 - Evangelism in a missional world Chapter 12 - Meetings in a missional world Chapter 13 - Church buildings in a missional world Chapter 14 - The 5 marks of a missional church Chapter 15 - The strengths and weaknesses of missional church