Through the generosity of ELCA grants, the Deaconess Community Mission Grant
and Katie's Grant, no church will be turned away due to an inability to pay.
Lutheran Safe Church Ministry
Abuse Workshop for
Clergy and Church Staff
2. 5 hour training for clergy and church staff on recognizing signs of child abuse; responding to disclosures, suspicions and confessions; identifying grooming behaviors; scriptural distortions enabling abuse, ACE research, and abuse-led scenarios. Workshop options are also available for congregations and lay leaders.
Workshops are available on zoom for clergy and staff outside Ohio.
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Child Protection Policy Development or Review
Support in Child protection policy review or development that prioritizes the safety and dignity of children in alignment with the the guidance of the ELCA social message on Child Protection, adopted churchwide in November 2025.
Free Webinar for ELCA Synods, Clergy and Church Staff:
Faithful Responses to Abuse
Agenda:
10 Things to know about Child abuse
10 Things Church can do about Child Abuse
Learn the foundations of recognizing abuse, and responding appropriately to disclosures. This 3 hour workshop centers the ELCA social message on Child Protection.
Consider a workshop during your regular time for staff meeting
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E-learning courses:
Trauma-informed Church
....Building
Learn the foundations of trauma-informed ministry including, including:
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Preaching trauma and abuse
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Discerning forgiveness
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Recognizing abuse of children and vulnerable adults,
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Responding appropriately to disclosures,
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Understanding mandated reporting
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Common Scriptural Distortions
Please contact if interested in e-learning courses for your church staff.
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Pastoral Care
Support
Pastoral care resources and congregational care available for ELCA synods, clergy, and congregations for faith communities impacted by abuse.
Pastoral care support for clergy in ministering to individuals experiencing abuse, including guidance in following through with mandated reporting responsibilities guided by criminal code, ELCA social message on Child Protection, and the ELCA Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions.
Child Exploitation & Abuse Series
This series includes a clergy & church staff workshop, a trauma-informed sermon, and congregational Temple Talk on Christlike responses to abuse.
Friday Church Workshop
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Recognizing signs of child abuse
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Responding to disclosures and suspicions
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Identifying sex offender behaviors
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Scriptural distortions enabling abuse
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ACE research
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Abuse-led scenarios Sunday
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Sermon & Congregational Temple Talk
How Safe Church Ministry Can Help
I want a Bible study for my congregation.
This ministry offers trauma-informed Bible studies tailored for your church. These studies center scripture and engage Christ-followers to reflect on Christian responses to abuse.
I’d like a minstry workshop for my church staff tailored on everyday prevention and awareness reinforcing our shared biblical mandate and responsibility to protect children.
This ministry equips church leadership staff to recognize child maltreatment, respond with confidence, and create safer sanctuaries for children. Zoom capabilities are possible for churches outside of Ohio, however, in-person is preferred.
I’d like a sermon breaking the silence over abuse for my congregation.
This ministry offers trauma-informed and theological sermons centering Christ-responses over the harm of gender-based violence. 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).
Our congregation is seeking an open, honest discussion about the realities of exploitation and abuse in today's world, with the goal of better protection and care for children and grandchildren in our families and communities.
This ministry offers a one-hour workshop for congregations that explores modern risks and tactics used to exploit young people, along with practical guidance and tools to help families recognize warning signs and build safer environments for children.
I’d like for me and my staff to know more about the ELCA social message on Child Protection.
This social message is a first of its kind in mainline denominations giving theological and practical guidance how to protect children within faith communities as a Christian responsibility. Formed by a team of Lutheran theologians and Child Abuse Prevention experts, consider using Unnamed No More to help you and your staff navigate through it's key points.
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.
