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Protecting Children

Every congregation must have policies and procedures in place to protect children.  These resources will help you. 

Protecting and Nurturing Our Children and Youth

A resolution adopted in July 2013 by the delegates of Mennonite Church USA.

NEW: Digital Church Safety

Dove’s Nest is offering a Zoom training on best practices for safety in virtual kids’ programming. They also have a 20-minute recording and a PDF handout to share with a group of adults.
Building Faith from VTS has shared Five Principles for Creating Digital Church Guidelines by Lindsey Bates.

Safe church grant

Churches with an Everence Stewardship Advocate may request a Safe Church Grant of $350 to do trainings, offer a lecture series or do smaller church renovations to keep children, youth and vulnerable adults safe from potential abuse. Specific guidelines apply. Find information and an application here.

Parenting for Prevention

Download and print this short, clear and valuable PDF for all the parents. Think of logical times to distribute and discuss it with the parents in your congregation at least once a year.

Let the Children Come 

by Jeanette Harder  

In the context of the Bible and faith, Let the Children Come helps Christians learn about their role in ending child abuse and neglect in all communities: church, home, extended family, neighborhood, school, work. Each chapter contains real-life stories, discussion questions and action items; the appendix includes a sample protection policy, as well as prayers, readings and exercises for use in adult education. Every congregation should provide this book to those responsible for ministry to children and youth.

Circle of Grace curriculum 

The Circle of Grace teaches children and youth how to identify and maintain appropriate physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual boundaries; recognize when boundary violations are about to occur; and demonstrate how to take action when boundaries are threatened or violated.

Dove’s Nest 

 “Faith communities keeping children and youth safe”
The mission of Dove’s Nest is to empower and equip faith communities to keep children and youth safe in their homes, churches, and communities.  Goals:
1. Educate faith communities about child abuse and neglect.
2. Provide faith communities with worship, education, and outreach resources on how to keep children safe.
3. Empower and equip faith communities to protect children and youth within their own congregations.
4. Empower and equip faith communities to protect children and youth within the wider community.
Subscribe to their newsletter.

Dealing with Child Abuse
a pamphlet in the Close to Home series 

Child abuse is much more widespread than we’d like to admit. This pamphlet speaks primarily to adults and teenagers who seek healing from the wounds of childhood abuse. It highlights the Bible’s emphasis on God’s passionate concern for the well-being of children. A study guide is also available.

Resource list

The Dove’s Nest has compiled an extensive list of resources for congregations.

Our Stories Untold has a list of resources too.