
Safe Church Initiatives
Fees are offered on a sliding scale for all churches. Through the generosity of an Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Katie’s Grant, no church will be turned away due to an inability to pay.

Trauma-informed Bible Studies
Sexual Violence
Sacred Worth: The Church’s Response to Sexual Violence
Child Abuse
Let the Little Children Come: Creating Safe Church
Domestic Violence
Safe Within the Fold
Elder Abuse
Safe and Seen: Safeguarding Our Elders
Gender-based Violence
-Trauma and The Bible: Shared Stories of our Ancestors
-Law and Gospel: God’s Voice in Scripture
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Child Protection Policies
Receive support as a conversation partner throughout policy creation or review of policies grounded in best practices of Child Protection:
ELCA social statement on Child Protection:
https://resources.elca.org/faith-and-society/child-protection-sm-adopted-prerelease/

Child Abuse Recognition Training
3 Hour Workshop for church staff on recognizing and responding to child abuse

Crisis Care
Pastoral care guidance and resources to minister effectively to those in active situationis of abuse. Emergency hours for crisis consultation, safety planning, and mandated reporting protocol are available.
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Workshop
Workshops on the theological applications of trauma-informed ministry.

Sex Offender Safety Planning
Theological and pastoral guidance for ministering to individuals who have caused harm, while prioritizing the safety and healing of the vulnerable in your faith community.
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Pastoral Care
Pastoral care guidance and resources to minister effectively to individuals and families experiencing abuse, and those healing from gender-based violence.

Trauma-informed Sermons
Theologically grounded sermons rooted in Scripture of our calling to respond to abuse. Breaking the silence is often the hardest step. View a trauma-informed sermon on sexual violence:
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Book Studies
Trauma-informed book studies tailored for your church that reflect on Christian responses to GBV which safeguard the vulnerable within, support those healing, and address those doing the harm.

How These Initiatives Can Help
I want a Bible study for my congregation.
This ministry offers trauma-informed Bible studies tailored for your church. These studies engage Christ-followers to reflect on Christian responses to GBV which safeguard the vulnerable within, support those healing, and address those doing the harm.
I’d like my staff to receive training.
This ministry provides training and access to resources for mandated reporting, child abuse scenarios, signs and symptoms of child abuse, trauma-informed theology, etc.
I am ready to formulate or review our Child Protection Policy for my church, but would like guidance.
This ministry offers a conversation partner to help guide church staff during the creation or a review of their Child Protection Policy. We adhere to best practices of The ELCA social statement on Child Protection, and the Child Safeguarding Policy Guide by Tchividjian and Berkovits.
I became aware of a child abuse allegation in the home of one my parishioners. What should I do next?
This ministry offers support with reporting protocols, safety planning, and pastoral care guidance. Navigating possible criminal and civil legalities can be confusing process, but an essential one to ensure the safety of the child, fulfill legal and ethical responsbilities, and respond with care for all involved.
I know of an adult in an abusive situation at home. What can I do as a Christian leader?
This ministry provides pastoral care guidance and resources to minister effectively to individuals and families experiencing abuse.
I’d like a sermon preached on GBV (gender-based violence) for my congregation.
This ministry offers trauma-informed and theological sermons on GBV. Consider a sermon during Awareness months to break the silence in a sermon (April is Child Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Month; Elder Abuse Awareness is June; Domestic Violence Awareness is October).
There is a registered sex offender in my congregation. What should I do?
This ministry guides churches through safety planning to safeguard the vulnerable.
A congregant confessed to molesting a child two decades ago. Now what?
This ministry provides theological and pastoral guidance for ministering to individuals who have caused harm, while prioritizing the safety and healing of the vulnerable in your faith community.
I’d like a book study for my congregation.
This ministry provides recommendations and facilitation on both trauma-informed and theologically grounded books exploring the intersections of church and GBV.
Our church is ready to engage in the conversation, but we don’t know where to start.
This ministry will meet you where you are to discern a faithful starting point of dialogue for you and your congregation.
614-219-9391
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