Commitment to Protecting our Children
The prudent see danger and take refuge (Proverbs 27:12).
Children are a blessing from God, and He calls the church to support parents in their responsibility to train children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Therefore, the church should be a place of safety and blessing for children, where they can grow, play, form friendships, and learn to experience and share the love of Christ.
Since sin affects every person and organization in the world, it is possible that children could be harmed even during church activities. We cannot guarantee that such things will never happen at Calvary Church, but we are committed to taking every reasonable precaution to protect our children from foreseeable harm. The commitment includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:
Parents and guardians are required to check young children (birth through 5th grade) into and out of activities at Calvary Church through our check-in system.
Before being allowed to work regularly with children, potential volunteers are required to complete an application, participate in an interview with a staff member, be a church member or an active participant in the life of the church for at least 12 weeks, and submit to screening through reference and background checks.
Volunteers in Children’s Ministries are trained to serve in their respective positions and given training to implement Calvary’s Emergency Response Plan to ensure the safety of children.
Volunteers will be provided training on classroom discipline policies, which include restrictions on corporal punishment or any form of inappropriate physical touch.
Volunteers will be provided training on restroom guidelines. Facilities are developed to prevent situations where 1 adult would need to accommodate a child in a restroom with a closed door.
In order to provide the best care for our children, every effort is made to maintain appropriate leader-to-child ratios for safety and for adequate learning environments.
Every effort will be made to ensure a minimum of 2 adults (or 1 adult and 1 teen) are present at all times when children are being cared for during our programs or activities.
If a child is harmed in our church, we will take immediate steps to inform the parents, to accept responsibility for our role in the situation, and to hold offending workers fully responsible for their actions. We will also evaluate our practices and procedures, considering changes that might reduce the likelihood of such harm to children in the future.
On the rare occasion that a child is believed to be in danger outside of the church due to abuse or neglect, we are obligated to follow God’s command to protect those that are unable to protect themselves (Proverbs 31:8). Secondly, we are obligated by Indiana state law to report suspected abuse or neglect to the authorities so that appropriate law enforcement experts can investigate. We rejoice that divorce never diminishes God’s free offer of love, grace, and forgiveness. He cherishes and loves every person who has been unwillingly divorced, as does our church. God also graciously extends His love to those who have wrongly left their marriages. That love moves Him (and us) to call them to repentance, to encourage and aid reconciliation when possible, and to gladly restore those who have done all they can to rebuild broken relationships.Above all, we pray that our ministry of peacemaking will bring praise to our Lord Jesus Christ and that through the peacemaking process, lives would be changed forever by the gospel.
