Grace Lutheran Church Macungie PA newsletter pg 2

From The Pastor

Let's Make Grace A Safe Place

Child Abuse at Church? It happens all too frequently. the headline in the March 11th issue of the Morning Call read, "Pastor 'groomed' teen for sex..." What followed was another heart breaking story of abuse, once again from someone who had been trusted with the care and nurturing of a young one. It seems like it would never happen in a church, but the headlines in the news tell us differently. Pastors, teachers, police officers, coaches, and a host of others who have access to our children are among those who have been guilty of this awful crime.

That doesn't mean that everyone n these professions is guilty - that's certainly NOT the case! However, it does mean that more and more organizations screen volunteers and institute training and policies to prevent such occurrences, those who want to gain access to children will move toward institutions that have no screening and no training.

Those who perpetrate such crimes are rarely the shady person with the long raincoat in some back alley. Rather they are like the criminal described in the opening paragraph, a trusted leader, who "grooms" or prepares his victim over a period of time for the crime to come. Twenty years ago, they could gain ready access to children in school, scouts, sports or church. Now most of those organizations have screening programs which off protection for the children.

Two added side effects of screening and training for volunteers is:

1) The protection of the good name of adults working with children from unfounded allegations; and

2) The protection of the good name of the organization entrusted with the care of the children.

Even the sponsor for this summer's mission trip to Ohio, PA Christian Endeavor, is beginning to use background checks.

Such a "Safe Place" program often involves a number of relatively simple

procedures:

1) Screen all staff and volunteers working with children thru background checks;

2) Train those working with children so that they do not put themselves in a position where they might be accused of abuse, like leaving doors open, don't be alone with children, be aware of hugs and kisses, etc

4)Advertise that this church intends to be a "Safe Place".

Initially it is a challenge to get the background checks needed for all volunteers working with children, but I've always found people more than willing to cooperate if it will keep the kids safe. The last two congregations I served, have implemented such policies and training, including background checks on all staff and volunteers working with children.

While such a tragedy may never occur here, it is the very heart of Grace to provide a safe place for children to learn about God's love, as well as to protect our adult volunteers from unjustified accusations. Sometimes we are surprised at those accused. In Lewisburg we dealt with one member whom we discovered was a convicted child molester, and another member who was charged with that crime because of behavior at a local campground. It can, and unfortunately does, happen.

Our synod and Diakon Lutheran Services are among the agencies sponsoring an all day seminar on Tuesday April 22, 2008 at Zion Maxatawny (along Rt 222) to discuss how congregations can implement safe place policies. I am planning on attending "Avoiding Child Abuse" on Tuesday April 22, 2008 from 9am to 4pm. I'd appreciate if we could get a few interested people to accompany me, so that when we return, we can begin to teach others what we have learned and, with the guidance of the council, study how such a policy would be implemented here.

If you are interested, please contact me at 610-966-325 or

prbartlett@pbartlett.com