prevention

June 15, 2017

Keeping Your Kids Safe: How To Respond to an Allegation

On today’s episode we wrap up an important conversation with Kimberlee Norris and Gregory Love of MinistrySafe.com. Kimberlee and Gregory are subject matter experts providing legal counsel and training related to child sexual abuse. In addition to MinistrySafe.com, they also have developed seminary-level training modules through MinistrySafeInstitute.com.

Here are today’s episode highlights:

The biggest hurdle that the Church must overcome is that this type of issue does not happen here.
Sexual abuse does not skip any spiritual paradigm…it does happen in a Christian, evangelical context.
What if something happens in your ministry? What is your first step of response?
When in doubt, report any suspicion.
Do not let the sun set on any suspicion, as many states have time limits on when reports must be made.
Is there a safe away to include youth in children’s ministry?
What are some general things we need to be watching for to ensure the safety of our kids?
Who are gatekeepers and what role do they play in child abuse cases?

Sunday School, Training

January 8, 2014

Keeping Kids Safe at Church

By Bill Emeott

Reports of abusive conduct toward children by adults are shocking. Churches cannot expect to remain unaffected by this crime. So, what is a church to do? Everything possible to keep kids safe at church!

I like to sum up the conversation on safety and security like this, “Prevention is the Preferred Strategy!” I would rather prevent an issue than deal with one. Here are three simple steps to jumpstart your Kids Ministry on its way to being a safe and secure place for kids:

Step 1: Implement safety and security policies.

Standard policies, including the “6/2” rule, are a must. This policy states that one must be an active member of your church for at least six months before assuming a position of leadership and that there will be at least two adults in the room with minors at all times. These easy to implement policies will go far in discouraging predators.

Check with other churches, associations, and state conventions to see what they’ve done and what they recommend. Appoint a team of representatives from your church to help you develop or review your policies. Remember, “Prevention is the Preferred Strategy!”

Step 2: Include a volunteer application and follow-up interviews as routine.

This will show your church, your community, and possible predators that your church is watching and concerned for the safety of children. Getting started with this might be a bit uncomfortable, but remember, “Prevention is the Preferred Strategy!”

Step 3: Do official criminal background checks.

Many insurance companies are requiring churches to completed checks as a prerequisite to coverage. Completing background checks demonstrates a desire and intent to protect kids.

You may hear folks say, “You know me… I’ve been in this church my whole life!” Remind them (and yourself) that while the folks inside the walls of your church may know and trust life-long church members the folks you’re trying to reach (outside the walls of the church) don’t know them and need to feel secure about leaving their kids in the care of strangers.

Background checks may seem extreme and they will cost your church financially. But it’s worth it to keep your kids and your ministry safe. (You can find discounts on background checks at Lifeway.com.) Remember our theme, “Prevention is the Preferred Strategy!”

As Kids Ministers it is our responsibility to protect kids at church. It may be a difficult transition and sometimes uncomfortable but, protection is not an option.

Since 2003 Bill Emeott has served as a Kids Ministry Specialist for Lifeway. His passions include childhood ministry leadership training and development, leading children’s Bible Study, and being an Uncle! Bill has been teaching children at First Baptist Nashville for ten years.

Leadership, Sunday School, Training

May 7, 2012

Principles for Guiding Behavior, Part 2

By Bill Emeott

This post will complete a three part series on Guiding Behavior. I started with Understanding Bad Behavior, shared Principles for Guiding Behavior, Part 1 and today will share the last five principles.

I’m convinced that preventing bad behavior is the preferred strategy. These ideas have helped me over the years prevent instead of deal.

Model proper behavior for the children. Too many times our behavior doesn’t match our expectations for the kids. If sitting on the table isn’t appropriate for the kids, then DON’T SIT ON THE TABLE. If bringing a drink in to the classroom isn’t appropriate DON’T BRING YOUR DRINK INTO THE CLASSROOM. Time and time again I see teachers whose behavior isn’t consistent with the expectations of the kids.
Dislike the behavior, not the child! The Bible doesn’t say that you have to like all the kids in your class. However, it’s very clear that you are to love each one with an unconditional, Christ-like love. Be very careful not to equate the behavior you detest with the child you love.
Provide choice and alternative solutions. Kids will work hard to see their choices be successful. The key here is providing a teaching session that allows for choices. Always have two teachers in the room, regardless of how many kids you have… with that said, plan for each teacher to do a different activity and then allow the kids to choose which activity they will do. You’ll be surprised at how much more successful your sessions will be.
Never confront or embarrass a child in front of the class. As tempting as it might be, don’t confront in an effort to embarrass. There will be times when immediate action must be taken, but don’t choose that option as your rule. Kids deserve our respect and embarrassing them in an effort to correct their behavior will ultimately backfire on you. In a public place, quietly discuss the behavior problem without breaking his spirit. Embarrassing a child in front of his peers will most likely result in additional bad behavior.
Be fair! Kids are quick to see when things aren’t fair. You can’t punish one child for something you allow another child to get by with. You can’t choose to have favorites in the classroom. If Jason can’t sit on the table, neither can Mitchell. Be fair.

I’d rather prevent poor behavior than deal with poor behavior. Understanding why kids misbehave and implementing these 10 principles will help you be well on your way to classroom management. This is a skill that can be learned and worth the effort.

Prevention is the Preferred Strategy!

Keeping Your Kids Safe: How To Respond to an Allegation

Keeping Kids Safe at Church

Principles for Guiding Behavior, Part 2

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