After more than five decades in pastoral ministry, one sobering truth stands out: protecting the flock from sexual abuse is not a task that can be delegated. It is a core pastoral responsibility...
Around 1992, attorney Richard Hammar, who founded Church Law & Tax, published one of the first child and youth protection resources for churches: Reducing the Risk. This abuse prevention material was based on research...
A good gardener knows that fruit appears only when the right conditions for growth have been nurtured. Jesus often used agricultural metaphors, including the parable of the soils (Mark 4, Matthew 13, and...
In a time when organizations dedicated to serving youth and vulnerable community members are more vital than ever, ensuring the organization’s own long-term stability and protection is paramount. A crucial, often challenging, aspect...
Jesus' words still echo through time: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). These words were...
When the Bible and prayer were removed from public schools in the early 1960s, secular humanism filled the void. Over time, the influence of Greek philosophy and worldly ideologies seeped back into the...
It is no secret that houses of worship are unfortunately engaged in a blistering crisis of adult and child sexual abuse. Beyond the atrocity of the abuse itself, some churches are increasingly guilty...
In recent months, tragic headlines have reminded us again that churches are not immune to risk. From violence and fire to medical emergencies and storms, disruption often arrives without warning. Yet too often,...
While abuse of a child by an adult is terrible, it's usually straightforward to evaluate what is happening. But what about sexual misconduct between children? Is it always abuse? No. Is it always...
In every state, the law requires that certain professionals immediately report to authorities suspicions that a child has suffered abuse. If you are a pastor, elder, deacon, or other leader in your church...