Safe Sanctuaries
About Safe Sanctuaries
Background: The 2008 North Texas Annual Conference adopted the three-year plan for all local churches to fully activate training and certification for all staff and volunteer adult leaders of children and youth. It was resolved that by North Texas Annual Conference 2011, all local churches should have established, implemented and aligned Safe Sanctuaries policy within the framework of their specific church programming needs as the specific local church strives to make disciples of Jesus Christ, in a safe, loving environment.
Update: The Center for Leadership Development would like to remind all congregations that it is important to locate and review annually the local church’s Safe Sanctuary policy. In order to have an effective policy, each member must be educated and trained, in order for proper compliance. It is also encouraged that each staff and volunteer adult leaders have proper background checks completed annually.
Available Resources
There are a host of resources available within the North Texas Conference. If you need assistance with Safe Sanctuaries, the following resources are available:
Books: Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth (10th Anniversary Edition) by Joy Thornburg Melton
Cokesbury Community Safe Sanctuaries
Background Checks
Online Background Checks and Safe Sanctuary Training
