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Our work with children and young people is some of the most strategic ministry that happens at St John’s. Every Sunday parents and other caregivers entrust us to be a part of their gospelling of our children. As Callan reminded us last week, there is no better thing we can do for our children than to teach them the gospel (Eph. 6:1-4) and we consider it a privilege to be a small part of that work one day a week.

I use the word “entrust” deliberately since it is a tremendous act of trust to put our children in the care of others. We’re deeply honoured to be given that trust and all that it signifies. It comes with a significant responsibility to ensure the trust given to us is honoured. Sadly we all now know of instances in churches and in the wider community where that trust has been breached in distressing ways. Most recently we heard in the news of such a breach in child care centres in Victoria.

St John’s, as a part of the Diocese of Sydney, operates under clear and robust Safe Ministry guidelines provided to us and supported by the Office of the Director of Safe Ministry. All our child and youth workers and volunteers undergo training and checks to ensure that we are pursuing the highest of standards. Yet procedures and policies only go so far, what we are working towards in all of this is a Safe Ministry Culture – a way of being together where Safe Ministry is not just a list of requirements to be ticked off by a way of being. As parents, caregivers and a church member you have a powerful role in helping us achieve this together.

Safety and confidence thrives in an environment of transparency. Many of us know what it’s like to be in a place where secrets are kept and information withheld. We start to doubt things, we have suspicions but no way of alleviating them. Openness produces the opposite effect. An open door and a clear window allow everyone to see what is happening and to provide both comfort to those who might be worried and an assurance of good practice on the part of those who are being held accountable.

So we need you to help us with this transparency! It’s a team effort and we’re all involved! Will you take your part in asking questions that promote transparency and build a Safe Ministry Culture?

If you are a parent or a caregiver who has a child or young person in Kids Church or City Youth here are some great questions to ask of your Kids and Youth leaders:

  1. Where is my child?
  2. What are they doing today?
  3. Who is responsible for their care at this time?

Do you know the answer to those questions on a Sunday? If not, it actually helps us all if you ask! It is not disrespectful of authority or an insult to the integrity of others to ask these questions. If we want to promote transparency then these questions, asked well, do just that. They allow us to assure each other that we’re doing things correctly and we’re not afraid to show it. When our parents, caregivers and others get involved in this way we build up our Safe Ministry Culture and the more of us who are involved in Safe Ministry, the better for everyone.

Thank you for playing your part in building a Safe Ministry Culture at St John’s!

If you have any concerns about the safety of children or young people in ministry activities, please speak to the Senior Minister (currently Bruce Morrison), the Safe Ministry Representative (currently Julia Kim), the person responsible for children or youth ministry at St John’s (currently Carmen Lau and Callan Pritchard) or the Office of the Director of Safe Ministry.

Resources that might be helpful for you: Safe Ministry Blueprint for Parents and Church Members – a practical guide to understanding your role in building a culture of safety and trust at church.

David Ould
Senior Associate Minister

 

PRAY: Pray for Safe Ministry at St John’s

Give thanks for the great privilege of partnering together in the gospel as we care for and teach the children and young people of St John’s each week. Ask God for wisdom and diligence for all leaders and volunteers as they uphold Safe Ministry practices with faithfulness and integrity. Ask God to help every parent, caregiver, and church member play their part in building a culture of transparency and trust, so that our ministries remain safe and Christ-honouring.