Safe Church Team
SHERMAN STREET SAFE CHURCH POLICY
At Sherman Street Church we believe that all people are image-bearers of God and are worthy of dignity, respect, and protection. All people who participate in an SSCRC program or activity have the right to a safe environment.
We acknowledge the potential for abuse in our fallen world, but still we seek to prevent it. Children, young people, and vulnerable adults are at the greatest risk to be victims of abuse. SSCRC will not tolerate abuse in any form.
Abuse Within Our Walls
Sadly, we as a community have experienced abuse within our congregation. On January 24, 2017, the Sherman Street council deposed Stedford Sims (formerly Outreach Pastor at Sherman Street and Pastor of Step of Faith) from the office of commissioned pastor due to abuse of office and serious deviation from godly conduct following allegations by an adult member of the church of unwanted sexual touch.
Through this instance we have woken up to the reality of abuse in our own congregation and how it affects many. We have taken steps to address abuse of power and are becoming more attuned and better equipped to help all people feel safe but realize there is always more to learn. We are on a journey and invite all to join us.
Safe Church
Safe Church Ministry, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church, equips congregations like ours in abuse awareness, prevention, and response. They encourage every church to form a Safe Church Team to develop policies to protect all members and ensure they are carried out.
Sherman Street’s Safe Church Team works diligently to ensure that our church programs are safe for all. For example, all volunteers who work with children and youth are background-checked and trained.
Our Safe Church Policy
Sherman Street’s Safe Church policy exists to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to reduce the risk of abuse as well as to provide instruction on what to do if an incident involving abuse occurs. For quick reference:
Questions?
Any questions or concerns about how safety is handled in our congregation can be directed to Ellen Jeltema, Ministries Coordinator and Chair of the Sherman Street Safe Church Committee ([email protected]).
At Sherman Street Church we believe that all people are image-bearers of God and are worthy of dignity, respect, and protection. All people who participate in an SSCRC program or activity have the right to a safe environment.
We acknowledge the potential for abuse in our fallen world, but still we seek to prevent it. Children, young people, and vulnerable adults are at the greatest risk to be victims of abuse. SSCRC will not tolerate abuse in any form.
Abuse Within Our Walls
Sadly, we as a community have experienced abuse within our congregation. On January 24, 2017, the Sherman Street council deposed Stedford Sims (formerly Outreach Pastor at Sherman Street and Pastor of Step of Faith) from the office of commissioned pastor due to abuse of office and serious deviation from godly conduct following allegations by an adult member of the church of unwanted sexual touch.
Through this instance we have woken up to the reality of abuse in our own congregation and how it affects many. We have taken steps to address abuse of power and are becoming more attuned and better equipped to help all people feel safe but realize there is always more to learn. We are on a journey and invite all to join us.
Safe Church
Safe Church Ministry, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church, equips congregations like ours in abuse awareness, prevention, and response. They encourage every church to form a Safe Church Team to develop policies to protect all members and ensure they are carried out.
Sherman Street’s Safe Church Team works diligently to ensure that our church programs are safe for all. For example, all volunteers who work with children and youth are background-checked and trained.
Our Safe Church Policy
Sherman Street’s Safe Church policy exists to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to reduce the risk of abuse as well as to provide instruction on what to do if an incident involving abuse occurs. For quick reference:
- Volunteer Profile Form: Page 33
- Family Emergency & Consent Form: Page 35
- Incident Report: Page 39
- Disclosure Decision Tree: Page 41
Questions?
Any questions or concerns about how safety is handled in our congregation can be directed to Ellen Jeltema, Ministries Coordinator and Chair of the Sherman Street Safe Church Committee ([email protected]).
