Having a safe sanctuary policy isn’t just about keeping children and youth safe. It’s so much more. It’s creating a safe environment for all persons connected with our congregations, presbyteries, synods, and denominational facilities, camps, and events by having a plan to keep everyone safe.
Our world is full of violence and turmoil even in our homes and everyday lives. Does your church offer a safe place for everyone? Are there ways that your camping ministries can become a place where people come to experience peace? How would your church react if a tornado was to hit your town or a member had a heart attack during worship? What is someone wandered into a function causing a disturbance or danger? What would your presbytery do if there was a sexual predator amongst the staff? These questions may drum up fear, but the policies are to promote calm in the face of a storm.
Safe Sanctuary deals with the need to create a safe environment for all people who walk through the doors of our churches and participate in the activities and events associated with our church. Our congregations, presbyteries, synods, and the denomination can be a safe place for all people to grow in their faith.
The 183rd General Assembly directed congregations, presbyteries, synods, camps, and events to have a Safe Sanctuary plan. When you have completed your Safe Sanctuary policy, it should be filed with the Office of the General Assembly.
Provided for you below are some helpful resources for helping your church create it’s own Safe Sanctuary policy.
Links to Safe Sanctuary worksheets and forms:
Take the Steps to Become a Safe Sanctuary PDF
