ELCA social message on Child Protection

ELCA Social Message on Child Protection

“Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’” —Matthew 19:14

Child maltreatment remains a serious concern in the United States.

Scripture reminds us that children are a vulnerable group entrusted to our care and protection. Our Christian responsibility then goes beyond nurturing their faith; it also includes ensuring their safety and well-being. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1 in 7 children experience abuse or neglect each year.

On November 12, 2025, the ELCA Church Council adopted a social message on child protection and maltreatment, addressing these realities facing children today. However, many congregations lack structure to follow through with the recommendations outlined in the social message.

Unnamed No More seeks to bridge that gap. Consider a 2.5 hour ministry workshop for church staff, grounded in scripture and focused on equipping your community to respond faithfully to the ongoing harm of child abuse. Also consider a review of your Child Protection policy to see if it is in alignment with the guidance of child abuse prevention experts listed in the ELCA social message on Child Protection.

Ministry Workshops for
Christian Leaders

Through the generosity of grants from the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of America,

no church will be turned away due to an inability to pay.

A message from the Director over the ELCA social message on Child Protection

Trauma-Informed Theology
Workshop

This 8 hour workshop equips clergy and Christian leaders with tools to engage trauma through a theological lens. Participants will examine the spiritual impact of gender-based violence while building a foundation in trauma-informed theology.

The workshop also addresses pastoral care for both victim-survivors and those who have caused harm. Using a trauma-informed approach to scripture, participants will reflect on Christian leadership responsibilities to the realities of sexual violence, domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse for those in our pews.

Abuse Recognition Workshop

Church workshop on recognizing signs of child abuse, responding with confidence, and creating safer ministry spaces for children.

Workshop options include:

2.5 hour-Clergy and Church Staff
1.5 hour-Lay Leader/Volunteers
1 hour-Congregations

Here We Stand, A Lutheran Response to Child Abuse

This 4 hour workshop builds on the articles in the book Here We Stand: A Lutheran Response to Child Abuse by Craig Neesan and Victor Vieth. The book presents a rich Lutheran theological framework for protecting and honoring children as God’s beloved. The workshop is organized into three sections:

Lutheran theological foundations for addressing child abuse
Lutheran interpretations of challenging texts
Lutheran theology confronting the sin of child abuse

This 4 hour workshop can be catered towards Christian leaders, or as a four-part

Bible study for congregations.