Report of the
Board of Christian Education
The Board met three times in 2002 to give oversight and input to the corporate Christian education ministries of the Bible Fellowship Church. Much of their work is cared for by sub-committees. Their ministry this past year included the following:
Christian Education Training
A denomination-wide Teacher Training Conference was presented on March 9 at Calvary Bible Fellowship in Coopersburg featuring representatives of the Evangelical Training Association. Responses of those who participated were positive though attendance was limited. The 2003 seminar is scheduled for September 27 in Coopersburg.
In an effort to work with the Inter-cultural Committee to present the Biblical Principles of Living in a teachable format, the CE Training Committee has gathered lesson plans from board members as well as from pastors throughout the denomination. These lesson plans are being formatted for use by local churches. If your church has already taught some of the BPL materials, please submit your lesson plans to Wayne G. Clapier for consideration. Our goal will be to provide the denomination with a guideline for presenting and applying each of the Biblical Principles of Living for various age groups. We are seeking to have this work completed within three years.
Walk Thru the Bible Ministries
Walk Thru the Bible programs were presented by David N. Schoen to three churches in 2002. There has been a slight increase in cost for the local churches. Those interested in providing either the Old or New Testament overview to their congregations should contact David at DaveBBFC@enter.net .
Pastor, Elder, Deacon Retreat
The PED Retreat Committee worked with the Strategic Planning Committee to present a Leadership Summit on November 1-2 at Pinebrook. The Committee deferred its regular plans so that this gathering of pastors and church leaders could take place. Plans are now underway for the 2003 Retreat on October 30 – November 1 at Pinebrook with guest, Dr. Todd Mangum.
Audio-Visual Materials
In recent years as the cost of video teaching materials has decreased, the use of the video library has decreased as well. Local churches have found excellent teaching resources to be available at reasonable costs and have purchased their own series for repeated use. Nevertheless, the resources available through the denomination are still available to any churches that have use of them. Several series have been culled from the collection but others are used repeatedly. For a current listing of materials now available, please check the BFC website at www.BFC.org.
Family Ministries
In an effort to provide encouragement and ministry resources for families in the denomination and to encourage local churches as they address needs in this area, the Family Ministries Committee has been formed. Plans are underway for a marriage enrichment seminar that will be shared regionally. Ideas for family enrichment should be forwarded to Timothy Cowen at TCowen@att.net.
Other Business
The Committee recognizes the concern for safety for our children, teens and adults in the local churches. In regard to protection from abuse, an ad-hoc committee was called together to consider guidelines for the local church that would provide a framework for trans-congregational application. A report of their findings was approved by the committee and is attached as informational for each BFC congregation. It is suggested that local churches consider the guidelines, making application for their own churches. We trust the material will be helpful.
Board of Christian Education: Richard T. Paashaus, Chairman; David N. Schoen, Vice-Chairman; Michael L. Herb, Secretary; Annette E. Kuhns, Treasurer; Judy D. Althouse, G. Wayne Clapier, Timothy S. Cowen, David W. Eisenhower, Mark S. Matson, Nancy A. Mertus, Mark L. Morrison, Jonathan P. Tait
Protecting Our Children; Protecting Our Leaders:
Guidelines for Christian Education Staff in the Local Church
Jesus still loves the little children. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. How devastating it is to have even one of these little ones hurt because of an adult’s sinfulness. Lifelong impact can result from even the slightest hint of abuse. Jesus said it would be better for such an offender to have a millstone hung around their neck and cast into the sea than for them to hurt one of these little ones. If He takes this impact so seriously, we should as well.
The recent records of abuse in many churches across the country, including evangelical churches, and the long-standing results of such abuse on the children, parents, perpetrators, and on the church as well are a renewed reminder of the seriousness with which we should approach the care of our children and young people. As Christians, we are called to a high standard, and as Christian leaders, we need to be above reproach in our conduct. It is vitally important for us to demonstrate integrity and trustworthiness to the people we serve.
The Board of Christian Education appointed an ad-hoc committee to develop guidelines for protection from abuse for our children and protection from allegations of abuse for our leaders. The committee met several times and gathered extensive materials on this topic. We found that some of our churches have basic guidelines while others have developed extensive policies to deal with these concerns. Each church is different. Each community is different. Each leader is different. Each child is different. No universal policies would work in these varying situations.
Nonetheless, there are some foundational principles that we believe should be universal. It is our desire that these principles and fundamental principles should be considered by each congregation and that the leaders in each church would seek to implement these guidelines for the good of the children, teens, and adults in your ministries.
1. Criminal Check and Child Abuse Clearance
Have all of your teaching staff undergo a “Child Abuse History Clearance,” regardless of their length of tenure, position, or history. Obtaining such clearances helps assure parents of the safety of their children as they participate in our church ministries. This clearance gives your staff credibility, puts all teachers and helpers on equal footing, and has the potential to protect your children from anyone who has a history of abuse. We suggest the cost for this expense be cared for by the local church. If this is totally impossible, seek other sources of funding (from the individual themselves, from contributions, etc.). Note that many teachers, health care workers, Little League coaches, and classroom helpers may already have clearance that can be copied and kept on file at the local church. Don’t be overwhelmed by the initial immensity of this task. Instead, start with your key leaders and work your way through over a reasonable period of time until all of your staff have clearance. Only 1-2 leaders should be privy to this information and all results should be held in highest confidence. Determine in advance which criminal records would mean removal or non-participation in children’s ministries, and which may not (ie. type of record, length of time since offense, prior to conversion, etc.) Local churches will want to determine how often such clearances should be repeated.
2. Develop Basic Guidelines for All Teaching Staff
Here are some reasonable, simple policies that will always help:
a. Screen all potential staff. Check references, prepare a basic application form, ask important questions that will create the best environment for the staff member, other staff, and the students.
b. Team up Teachers. Always have more than one teacher or helper in a room at a time. This protects students and staff.
c. No one drives alone. When transporting children or teens, always have two adults present.
d. Don’t send them; take them. Children should not roam the hallways or go to the bathroom alone. They should be in groups and an adult should be available at all times.
e. Use experienced staff. Regardless of how capable or interested someone new appears, give them six months to a year before placing them in positions of responsibility.
f. Maintain adequate information records. Be sure to have all necessary details for each child/teen, including such things as parents names, emergency contact number, and specific health concerns.
g. Get written permission. Treat off-premise activities, overnighters, and late night events with special care, being sure to have written permission from parents.
h. Wisdom in numbers. If inadequate supervision is available, cancel an event rather than host an activity where problems are more likely to occur.
3. Report any concerns or allegations immediately.
The tendency in a church family maybe to give the benefit of the doubt, keep issues quiet, or just bypass the appearance of a problem situation. Don’t be deceived. If you have a concern, observe a questionable situation, or see someone breaking church policy, report it to your ministry leader immediately. Don’t take any allegations lightly.
Many of our Churches have already developed extensive written policies related to this issue. The extent to which each church might develop such policy is in their hands, but all churches should have specific, understood, clear, transferable guidelines in place. Remember that our children and teens are at risk. Remember that the credibility of the Church is at risk as well. We need not be consumed by potential problems, but we must be careful stewards of the responsibilities we have been given.
4. Pray for wisdom, guidance, and protection.
The Bible Fellowship Church takes Christian education ministry seriously. By God’s grace, there have been minimal issues regarding allegations of abuse. But we can not presume on His grace. We must do our part to carefully lead our staff and ministries. We must pray for His protection on our children and our staff. Taking the precautions mentioned above and providing your local church with adequate guidelines will strengthen what is already being done. Our children are worth the work. Caring for our responsibility wisely will bring glory to the God we serve.
Other Resources:
The following phone numbers and addresses are provided for your convenience: If questions arise, it is best to contact the state police in your area for complete information.
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company has excellent resources for churches regarding reducing the risk of abuse in the church. Call 800-876-4994
Connecticut:
State Police Bureau of Identification
P.O. Box 2794
Middleton, CT 06457-9294
(860) 685-8480
Requirements: fingerprints and form DPS-836C
Cost: $25.00 check or money order payable to Commissioner of Public Safety
Delaware:
Delaware State Police
State Bureau of Identification
P.O. Box 430
Dover, DE 19903
(302) 739-5880
Requirements: fingerprints and a letter stating why certificate is necessary.
Cost $25.00 money order/certified check payable to Delaware State Police
Maryland:
CJIS
P.O. Box 32708
Pikesville, MD 21208-2708
(410) 764-4501
Requirements: Copy of photo ID and letter stating reason for request, fingerprints
Cost: $18.00 certified check or money order payable to CJIS
New Jersey:
Division of State Police
Attn: CIU
Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628-0068
Requirements: Fingerprints, name, DOB, social security number, reason for request.
Cost: $25.00 USD money order/certified check payable to Division of State Police –SBI
New Mexico:
Department of Public Safety
Attn: Records
PO Box 1628
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1628
Requirements: Must complete New Mexico’s Authorization of Release form and have it notarized.
Cost: $7.00 USD money order/certified check payable to Dept. of Public Safety
New York
New York State Div. of Criminal Justice Services
Criminal History Records Search Unit
4 Tower Place
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 485-7675
Requirements: Fingerprints, Reason for request, name, DOB, gender, race, SS#, addresses
Cost: $25.00 USD payable to Division of Criminal Justice Services
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository – 164
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9758
(717) 783-9973
Requirements: Request for Criminal Check form
Cost: $10.00 USD money order/certified check payable to The CommonWealth of PA
Virginia:
Virginia State Police
CCRE
P.O. Box 85076
Richmond, VA 23261-5076
(805)674-2024
Requirements: Fingerprints and Form SP-167
Cost: $15.00 certified check/money order or credit card payable to Virginia State Police