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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Friday, May 29, 2009 9:12 PM

How can a church make sure children stay safe?

By LINDA BROWN, Ask a Professional

Child abuse is a tragic reality in every community across the country. While it might be easier to deny the reality, it’s an inescapable fact that child abuse is in our churches as well.

“The church should be a safe haven, a sanctuary,” Dr. Felix Burroughs, pastor of First United Methodist Church, 203 E. Fourth St., Ottawa, said. “The United Methodist Church would necessitate that all people who work with children and adolescents must be Safe Sanctuary certified — all people.”

Safe Sanctuary is a response to child abuse and the abuse of adults. It’s really a guidebook designed to reduce the risk of abuse in the church by setting specific boundaries regarding appropriate touch, language and personal space.

“It makes us aware that we are never to be alone with a child,” Burroughs said. “One-on-one has to be in a public setting. No more closed doors.”

Burroughs said his church has a zero-tolerance policy. Even a suspected incident is reported.

“If you’re not doing anything wrong, you’re cleared; if you are, you’re detected and appropriate action is taken.”

Few would disagree that raising a child is the hardest job in the world and one where there is very little training. Safe Sanctuary helps the church help parents who may have a tough time imposing discipline.

“We insist on appropriate dress for our young people,” Burroughs said. “The church can impose discipline where the parents can’t always succeed. It’s very difficult for the young parents; this is a good thing for our congregation.”

Anyone in the church who comes into contact with children must have their Safe Sanctuary certification renewed every two years.

Burroughs, along with other United Methodist pastors, has an I-Safe program on his computer that constantly tracks all Internet activity. He must also undergo a background check every year.

“We must sign an affidavit every year stating that we haven’t been involved in pedophilia, pornography, etc,” Burroughs said. “Over time we’ll restore the integrity of the title pastor instead of moving the problem to another church.”

Safe Sanctuaries brought another change to leading a United Methodist Church: Making pastors mandatory reporters of abuse.

“We can’t turn our heads any longer or help you keep your family secret,” Burroughs said. “We must report it to the local authorities. It makes us more responsible to the Christian family.”

Burroughs, an expert in healing churches in conflict, said what he found at First United Methodist was a congregation hung up on old issues.

“We just needed to deal with things in a different way,” he said. “At the bottom I found a lot of love that had been suppressed. Love is a powerful healing tool.”

Sunday’s worship service is another new beginning at First United Methodist, when the traditional 9 a.m. service and the contemporary 11 a.m. service permanently will blend the best of both into a new 10:30 a.m. service.

“Many of our parishioners have never heard a mass choir; this Sunday they will,” Burroughs said. “And for the first time ever we are having a baptism by immersion.”

Methodists are generally baptized by sprinkling or the pouring of water; however, this new Christian wanted full immersion.

“We borrowed a baptismal tub and robes; we’re going to do it,” Burroughs said. “It’s God that’s bringing this all together on this special day. Who but God could have brought it all together on Pentecost? Who but God?”

First United Methodist Church of Ottawa, founded in 1903, has a recorded membership of 650.

Linda Brown is marketing director for The Ottawa Herald. E-mail her at lbrown@ottawaherald.com.

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How can a church make sure children stay safe?

By LINDA BROWN, Ask a Professional

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.