See something?

One of the ways we care for children and young people at St John’s is by having clear Safe Ministry practices in place. Our Kids Church and City Youth leaders are trained in these practices, and we regularly think about how our procedures and spaces can help keep children safe.

But keeping children safe is something we all contribute to as a church family.

On a busy Sunday, lots of things are happening at once. Children and adults are moving between buildings, families are arriving and leaving, and different ministries are meeting across our site. Most of the time, everything works just as it should. But occasionally you might see something that makes you wonder: Is that what is supposed to be happening?

Perhaps you’re unsure whether a child is meant to be on their own, or you notice something about a space that doesn’t seem quite right. You don’t need to know all our procedures, and you certainly don’t need to work out whether something has gone wrong. It’s okay to notice and ask.

If a child seems to be on their own, you might simply ask, “Are you okay? Do you know where Mum or Dad are?” If you’re still unsure, stay with the child and take them to the nearest pastor, or to a Kids Church or City Youth leader. Our children’s and youth leaders can be identified by their lanyards.

At other times, it might be a question about what you are seeing rather than a child who needs help. You can check in with a Kids Church or City Youth leader to see what’s happening, or mention what you noticed to your congregation pastor, the Children’s or Youth Pastor, or our Safe Ministry Representative.

The same is true for children and young people themselves. We want them to know that they can ask questions, tell a leader when something doesn’t feel right, and let us know when something is confusing. Children experience our church and our ministries differently from adults, and listening to them is an important part of caring for them well.

This isn’t about looking for problems or second-guessing our leaders. Often there will be a perfectly ordinary explanation. But a quick question in the moment can help us make sure everyone knows what is happening and that children are where they are meant to be.

There is one important exception. If you have a concern that a child may have been harmed, abused, groomed, or treated inappropriately, please don’t treat that simply as feedback. Speak promptly to a pastor. If your concern is about that pastor, speak to the Senior Minister or Safe Ministry Representative.

We want St John’s to be a church where children and young people are known, valued and cared for — and where looking out for one another is simply part of being a church family.

If you ever have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, please speak with a pastor or contact our Safe Ministry Representative, Julia Kim.

David Ould
Acting Senior Minister

Pray for Safe Ministry at St John’s

Give thanks for Kids Church and City Youth leaders who are trained to care for children and young people. Ask God for his help for the whole church family to notice, ask, and care when something does not seem quite right. Ask God to make St John’s a church where children and young people are known, valued, listened to, and cared for.