The Church of God in Mount Forest fully recognizes its responsibility to provide safe, enjoyable and spiritually rewarding experiences for children who attend its activities. As we seek to introduce children to the importance and value of Christian discipleship through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, we have Him before us as our example, He who actively encouraged children to relate to Him, embracing them and blessing them ( Mark 10 v 13-16People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. ). (to see the references hover over them with your cursor, or click on them)
His teachings, recorded in the Bible, set a high standard of personal morality and conduct for those who are His disciples. Not only are Christians to be subject to laws introduced by governments to which we are subject ( Romans13:1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ), we are to aim for the higher standard of being imitators of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 10:32-11:1Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. ). In all our interactions with all people, we are to be “imitators of God” ( Ephesians 5:1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children. ), to conduct ourselves “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” ( Philippians 1:27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. ), and to “avoid every kind of evil” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:22Avoid every kind of evil. ). In all things we are to be “…blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which we shine like stars in the universe…” ( Philippians 2:15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. ). Therefore, “… there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” ( Ephesians 5:3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. ). Rather we are to “...do good to all people…” ( Galatians 6:10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. ), “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” ( Ephesians 2:10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ). Even things which are acceptable or excused under the law may not meet the approval of God's word, and we are subject to the latter. For instance, certain sexual sins have come to be accepted in the world at large, but fornication, adultery and homosexuality are forbidden for us by the enduring standard of the Scriptures ( Romans1:18-32The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. ; Galatians 5:19-21The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. ; Ephesians 5:5-7For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. ). We are especially concerned to reflect the highest standards of love, care and support for children which the Jesus Himself demonstrated and which are powerfully illustrated in His condemnation of those who would harm them: “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” ( Matthew 18:6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. ). Such Scripture passages present a viewpoint of abuse that is stronger than is seen in purely legal guidance.
In such matters we do not have liberty to ignore either wrongdoing or the opportunity to do the right thing ( James 1:21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. ; 4:17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. ). We are under obligation to God to actively protect the vulnerable and innocent ( Jeremiah 22:3This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. ; Acts 20:35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' ; Romans 15:1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ; 1 Thessalonians 5:14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ), which cannot be achieved by only a passive recognition of their need ( James 2:15-17Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ). Therefore, in addition to recognizing the importance of legal responsibilities the church must operate in accordance with effective procedures that aim to reduce the risk of children in our care being exposed to possible harm, danger or abuse. Such procedures should also aim to provide training and protection for our workers; they seek to serve the Lord Jesus Christ honourably, and without their voluntary commitment, energy, creativity and gift we would not be able to provide the high quality activities through which the Lord blesses the children who come under the care of the church.
There is a clear principle in Scripture that those who take responsibility should first be tested ( 1 Timothy 3:10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. ); if this is true for deacon service it is surely true for all those who are charged by the church with care for the vulnerable. Likewise, those appointed to serve need to maintain personal diligence and watchfulness ( 1 Timothy 4:16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. ; Acts 20:28Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. ), so there is a need to be on the alert for developing problems, or errors creeping in, hence the need for reasonable oversight of activities. Those given responsibility by the church for care of children must surely be themselves guided by the Word of God ( Ephesians 6:4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. ), so evidence of a personal commitment to learning what the Scriptures teach and applying it must be expected of them.
Consistent with these principles we expect the policies adopted by the church of God in Mount Forest will therefore make the necessary provisions to achieve the safe environment we aim for, with respect to the following key areas:
- Effective screening, selection, appointment and supervision of children’s and youth workers
- Providing workers with a consistent understanding of what relevant laws constitute as ‘abuse’ in its various forms, how to recognize it and how to go about reporting it, in line with statutory requirements
- Provide on-the-job training and review of these principles to help ensure compliance with them at all levels
- Practical guidance as to how the policy is to be implemented with respect to the specific activities of the Church of God in Mount Forest.