Purpose
To strengthen our commitment to protecting minors and maintaining a safe, transparent, and accountable ministry environment.
To view our current child safety policy, click here.
Key Policy Additions and Revisions
1. Prohibited Behaviors
- No adult shall privately message a minor through any digital platform or social media.
- Any romantic or sexual interaction with a minor is strictly forbidden. (Already stated)
- No adult shall be alone with a child who is not their own under any circumstances.
- No physical contact with a minor is permitted unless the adult is a designated caregiver or the contact is appropriate, public, initiated by the child and non-affectionate.
2. Mandatory Reporting and Documentation
- All interactions with minors must be appropriately documented and accessible at the ministry level.
- Any concerning behavior must be reported immediately to church leadership, after being reported to the appropriate authorities. 1 877 NJ ABUSE.
3. Volunteer and Membership Screening
- All volunteers working with minors must undergo a comprehensive background check. This now includes teenagers.
- Prospective members of the church are expected to disclose any past abuse (as perpetrator) and will be subject to an online public record search for related offenses.
4. Ongoing Communication and Culture of Awareness
Current Practice
- Annual training and onboarding for new volunteers working directly with minors.
Proposed Expansion
- Proactive, church-wide communication throughout the year via:
- Website Notices
- In-Service Announcements (Monthly)
- Bulletin Board Updates
- Special Emphasis Periods:
- January (Start of the Year)
- September (Back to School)
- Sunday prior to VBS (Team Commissioning and Public Reminder)
Core Message: “Child abuse is never tolerated. Our church is committed to vigilance, safety, and transparency.”