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It is important to take steps to protect resources and facilities; both are needed to continue ministry. However, there is no more valuable resource than people. The individuals and groups that make up your congregation are the backbone of ministry. They give their time and gifts to keep the church moving ahead. Further, ministry is made up of people, some who want to give, and others needing to receive.

It is important to do whatever possible to protect the people God has led to our church. It is simply good stewardship and an important ministry to be proactive when it comes to protecting people. The children and youth come to church to learn about God. The adults seek to be engaged in ministry and cultivate their faith. The senior members see the church as a place of safety, socialization, and where they can continue to be involved in ministry in their later years. The staff should be safeguarded so they can carry out ministry. To help all of these groups achieve their goal, we should become more proactive in how we care for and safeguard them. Like anything, "failing to plan is planning to fail.”

Some church leaders believe that the road to safety and security can get out of hand. They would argue that armed guards, cameras, and locked doors stifle effective ministry. And certainly that can happen. But the question needs to be asked, "If we could protect these valuable people and prevent a disruption of ministry, shouldn’t we?”

This section will consider the various groups mentioned above and provide aids to ensure their protection. By taking these well-designed suggestions, and with a moderate amount of change, your ministry will be able to move forward confidently. That confidence will result from knowing your people are protected, and your ministry is more secure.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation laws and insurance coverage varies from state to state and can be confusing. Regardless of whether your state has stringent or relaxed laws, workers at your church deserve to work in a safe and healthy environment.

While it is difficult to provide specific guidelines due to varying state guidelines, the following established principles can make your church a better place to work.

Check with State and Federal Laws

Make sure that you are in compliance with state and federal laws. Tax-exempt, nonprofit entities are not automatically exempt from all compliance. Each state has a division that addresses worker issues for each type of organization. Make sure that you complete the necessary paperwork, obtain the necessary certificates, and follow protocol when dealing with the laws and regulations involving accidents and injuries on the job. Also, work with your workers' compensation carrier and agent to keep current with state laws and regulations and the latest practices.

Inspect Work Areas

Make your inspection practices intentional. Check for bad or dangerous work conditions. Look at the tools of the trade for each worker and make sure that they are clean, in good repair, and have the safeguards in place (especially electrical and power tools). Look at ladders, lifts, and scaffolding to make sure that it is safe. Look for space heaters, fans, or other electrical appliances. Make sure that there are not too many items plugged into one outlet.

Insist on Job Descriptions

The importance of good, complete job descriptions cannot be over-emphasized, not only for performance of duties, but also for comparison and evaluation of safe working conditions. Also, obviously, it is important to have job descriptions to determine if a person applying for a job is able to do the work necessary to fulfill the job.

Respond to Problems

Have a method and procedure for reporting and addressing concerns. Accidents and incidents should be documented and reported to the proper church representative and to the necessary authorities. Reported hazards should be corrected immediately or clearly marked.

Have Written Safe Practices and Procedures

All employment practices should be in writing. In case of a claim or injury, such guidelines are valuable in determining fault. Unfortunately, recent litigation history shows that churches are not exempt from employees filing claims or lawsuits.

Consider an Ergonomics Evaluation

The number of repetitive motion claims and injuries from sitting and lifting are growing. Make sure that workstations are set up correctly; train workers on proper posture and equipment use; and rotate work that is continuous and repetitive. Designate lifting limits.

Maintain a Training Schedule

Many accidents could be prevented by conducting proper training. Be sure that training sessions are periodically scheduled and attended by all involved parties. Keep attendance records in your file.

Always Supervise

Every workplace should have a designated supervisor in charge. That person is responsible to ensure that everyone is working to their potential, following prescribed guidelines and being adequately protected. Proper equipment, in-place procedures, and appropriate follow-up are necessary in maintaining a long-term, safe environment for everyone. These practices not only protect people, but also the ministry.

Sexual misconduct (refer to Chapter 3 in this guide for information on sexual misconduct) along with other accidents and incidents involving children and youth can fracture an entire church ministry. Many of these accidents are preventable, with concentrated effort. The attached checklist details these areas, but following are some summary points to consider.

• Set up and equipment of the nursery and children’s areas
  The nursery area can be a wonderful place for little ones to receive nurturing and care, but it can also be filled with hidden dangers. The key is to designate someone to regularly inspect the nursery and children’s area.
• Playground facilities
  Playgrounds can fall into disrepair if not properly maintained. Also, playground equipment and the designated area sometimes are not designed according to safety standards and present an immediate hazard. Again, knowing what equipment and surface materials are considered safe and implementing a regular inspection program can protect the children.
• Supervision of children and youth
  Volunteers, teachers, and youth leaders are a valuable asset to any ministry. Seldom do churches have enough adults to fill all available positions. Utilizing policies and procedures can be of invaluable help. Let youth and children’s workers know what is expected of them, and provide training. Make sure that they understand that it is more important to protect those entrusted to their care than to be popular or well-liked.
• Extreme activities and equipment
  A popular trend involves extreme sports for youth. Churches are reaching out to young people through skateboard parks rock and wall climbing, or even contact sports. Since these activities can be dangerous, this is one of the fastest growing claims categories.
  When engaging in extreme sports or activities, a professional who is trained and certified in that activity should inspect the equipment every time to make sure that it is safe and in working order. Training adult supervisors and participants is critical, and shortcuts should never be taken. Furthermore, permission slips should be signed by a parent or guardian explaining the activity and the inherent risks.
• Training staff and volunteers
  Regardless of the activity, it is important to communicate with staff and volunteers. Unless a regular training component is built into your policies, practices, and procedures, training often does not occur. Make sure that policies and procedures are in place and are utilized.
• Setting boundaries
  When working with children and youth, who naturally seek to stretch boundaries, it is critical to have clear, communicated boundaries and consequences defined in advance. If the rules are broken, and consequences are not enforced, not only will that young person not be served, but others in the group will take note. As difficult as it may seem, having a parent pick up their child from an event for misconduct, or requiring someone to sit out of an event can send a strong message to that person and the rest of the children gathered.
• Parental supervision while at church
  Parental supervision can become an issue in churches. After children are released to their parents, parental supervision is not always adequate, and children can get into trouble or harm themselves or others. If you detect an issue with parental supervision, place announcements in the bulletin or newsletter. If it continues, send a firm but loving reminder home with the children asking parents to supervise their children for the safety of the children and others. If inappropriate behavior continues, additional steps may be necessary. Show kindness to the kids and parents, but stress the need for safety for all members, emphasizing that it is important to the church and ministry.

It is important to remind members of the importance of locking their cars, keeping their valuables with them at all times, and using caution while in the building. This can be done in a way that communicates love and concern for their well-being.

Ask ministry workers to work in teams. Remind them to use caution when arriving for meetings or practices in the evening. Make sure that they utilize lights and don’t enter or exit the building alone.

In the kitchen, make sure that usage rules are posted or given to every person or group using the facility, including instructions for specialized kitchen equipment or tools.

Let members know that if they spot a hazard to identify it (make cones or signs available), fix it, or report it to prevent accidents.

Staff should be trained on what scenarios might occur. In the emergency planning and response section, these issues and responses are detailed.

Finally, training and communicating expectations to ushers can reduce potential incidents during worship.

Did You Know?

• Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 21.
• Childhood falls account for more than 2 million emergency visits each year.
• The most common causes of injuries seen in emergency departments are from traffic accidents, falls, and violence.

In the event of an alarm sounding during a worship service, most parents will retrieve their children and others will exit the building, but seniors and those who are disabled will need assistance.

Seldom do we think about keeping that group of people safe and secure, but we must take the time to care for the least of these in our midst.

A proper, proactive safety protocol for seniors and the disabled demands forethought from church leadership and should be discussed often. Review scenarios that could negatively impact them, such as alarms, fires, emergencies, bad weather, poorly lit exits, stairs, or even running and crawling children, who can be obstacles for the elderly and disabled.

Ushers should receive special training and instructions on how to handle those in walkers, wheelchairs, or using canes. Let them know exactly what their role is during an emergency.

Train staff and other volunteers as to what their response should be in the event of an incident, accident, or serious weather. Involve custodial and other volunteers to make sure that walks are clear, steps are free from hazards, and that designated helpers are available. Also, consider assigning a designated helper or guardian for those who need a little extra care while at church.

The key is to have a plan and let people know their specific role. People with special needs will be kept safer, and they will thank you for thinking of them.

Ministries, with their outward focus, often can forget to address staff issues. In many churches, secretaries work alone inside the building during the day with numerous doors unlocked, and numerous unknown persons coming and going. Staff members who work after dark can be in the unlocked church alone or walk into a dark parking lot without any protection. Depending on the location of your church, this can be a real concern.

Once again, communication is the key. Talk with your staff and discuss areas of vulnerability. Find ways to protect your staff, especially when they are in the building alone. Determine if it is wise to allow workers to work alone during the day or after- hours. If you decide to allow it, consider locking low-use doors.

An inexpensive video camera at unlocked doors with a monitor in the office will help office staff know who is entering and exiting the building. An intercom and electronic release system on the door can deter intruders there to do harm.

The more soft (windows, cameras, counters, etc.) and hard (locked doors, electronic releases, etc.) barriers you have, the safer your staff will be.

Finally, should someone enter the church to do harm or commit a crime, it is wise to discuss a response in advance. It is better not to confront the person. If they are there to rob, give them money. However, if they are there to attack, discuss alternatives. Meet with a local police officer to discuss the best tactics to use in case of an assault.

Communicating issues, concerns, and safe practices and training are all ways of telling your staff, seniors, children, and members that you care.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.
1 Timothy 6:20 (NIV)