By Emily Smith, ABSC Abuse Prevention + Response Consultant
I’m sure you’ve seen the commercial of the first-time mom whose stroller is completely loaded down with everything imaginable for her infant’s first outing to the park. Flash forward to the next scene. She has one kid on the hip, grabs the hand of the second child and a handful of cheerios. Reality has set in, and only the essentials are needed. Regardless of whether it is a first-time mom, a multi-kid household, or a parent of teenagers with hands thrown in the air, one thing usually rings true: parents want their kids to be safe.
The same thing should be true in our churches. A safe environment for the next generation is essential for their spiritual growth. Jesus realized the value of children and how important it is to teach them while they are young, as outlined in Matthew 19:14. Don’t miss an opportunity to share the Gospel with the next generation and provide a safe environment for this to transpire. Do you need everything imaginable (i.e. a fully loaded stroller) to get started? Not completely, but you do need some essentials.
To help get you started, below are five essential actions your church can take now to help prevent abuse and create a safe environment for minors:
- TRAIN – Provide initial and ongoing TRAINING for staff, volunteers, and church members that raises awareness and shares effective actions to prevent incidents of abuse in the church.
- SCREEN – Adopt a careful vetting process for all those working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. SCREENING should include an application, interview, references, social media review, and background checks.
- PROTECT – Create and implement policies that PROTECT children, youth, and vulnerable adults from grooming and abuse.
- REPORT – Have a written plan in place to REPORT abuse to the appropriate government authorities and communicate with the church in the event of an abuse allegation.
- CARE – Identify and offer resources that will provide victims, survivors, and their families with options for ongoing CARE.1
It’s difficult to be 100% risk-free in our ministries, but there are steps one can take to help minimize the risk of abuse. Consider forming a Safety/Care team to help with implementing the essentials mentioned. This team can assist in assessing your current safety system, developing policies/procedures and response plans, and communicating updates with the congregation.
We are here to help as well. As Arkansas Baptists, we are continually working to expand abuse prevention, implement safety practices, policies and procedures, and show compassion and care for survivors of abuse. We grieve for anyone who suffers abuse and we desire for all Arkansas Baptist churches to be safe places. For additional help and resources for ABSC churches, connect with us or visit: ABSC.org/APR.
As you develop and implement essentials into your overall safety plan, consider these upcoming training events:
- Abuse Prevention + Response Conference sponsored by Baptist Associations & ABSC | Feb. 7, 2026 | Russellville, AR
Register
- Forces for Good Summit sponsored by SBC Abuse Prevention | Feb. 24-25 | SWBTS Fort Worth, TX
Register
[1] “Essentials: Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response.” Abuse Response Implementation Task Force 2024. sbcabuseprevention.com