Biblical Backdrop of the Christian Home and a Life that seeks to bring glory of God:

All of Central Chapel’s children and youth ministries exist as an extension and a complement of the Christian home:

1. Where the Scriptures are taught and practiced
2. Where each individual seeks to live for the glory of God

The Biblical structure of the Christian home is as follows: (also see Central Chapel Statement of Faith Article III S. The Family pg. 12)

• The husband/father loves his wife and children (as Christ loves the church) and serves as the spiritual leader in the home by personal example, and guides his family in an intimate relationship with Christ (Ephesians 5:25-28)
• The wife respects her husband’s role and is his helper, as an equal, in training the children to walk in obedience to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-24)
• The children live in obedience to and honor their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Note: Staff and volunteers may not use corporal discipline on children enrolled in Central Chapel’s children and youth ministries, however, we have developed the following to explain why discipline is needed and steps we will take. 

Principles

1. Our purpose is to help disciple the children in our care.
2. We will be consistent throughout all our ministries (what’s wrong in one class is wrong in all classes).
3. We will communicate these truths well so all will understand them.

Our rules

1. Show love for God and His Word by being respectful in class and obedient to the leaders.
2. Show love for others (do unto others as you would have them do to you—do not cause disruptions or be a hinderance to the learning of others).
3. Show love for yourself (by listening, paying attention and growing in your love for God).

Consequences (Rules are no good if nothing happens when broken)

1. Removal from the activity
2. Removal from the classroom
3. Parents are contacted and child is taken home
4. Committee decides next steps

Many have misconceptions about discipline:

1. Discipline is often viewed as mean, harsh, and/or overly strict. Biblically, discipline shows genuine love.
2. Children will push back against rules. This is often done to determine their boundaries.
3. There may be a false perception that discipline at church is inappropriate. However, glorifying the Lord requires a disciplined approach from adults and children alike.
4. If we discipline, children won’t like us and will dislike the church environment. In fact, children will know they are truly loved when discipline is done for the glory of God.

Why discipline is necessary: We love our children (Hebrews 12:6-8) 

1. We want children to learn.
2. We want children to be safe
3. We want to retain volunteers by having a structured, distraction-free learning environment.

The structure that God has given for the home is to be complemented in a similar way in the church. In the structure of the church there is:

• Leadership (elders) and other leadership positions
• The church body respects the leadership, and that respect is exhibited through obedience from all age groups. (also see Central Chapel’s Statement of Faith Article IV-Church Covenant pg. 14)

Over the past 60 years, attitudes regarding corporal punishment of children have changed greatly. More and more parents are being convinced by “experts” that children should never be physically disciplined for wrongdoing. This notion is in direct conflict with the Biblical commands of God.

We would all agree that the Bible does not endorse abuse, nor does it sanction spanking done in anger. Physical violence is fundamentally different than loving biblical corporal discipline (i.e. spanking). If we are to defend the responsibility of the obedient parent to apply physical discipline, it might be helpful to use the word discipline rather than punishment. 

Discipline seeks to convict the individual of the wrong in their behavior and actions and turn them toward the biblical path. Discipline arises from a genuine loving concern for our children, and through discipline we reveal true biblical love to our children. 

A rod of fury towards children is not what God intends, but rather a rod of love that is measured, controlled, and done for the right reason. God hates abuse in any form and forbids it.

The Scripture does command structure, respect and obedience in the home (Eph 6:1-4). Because a child is born with a sinful nature, discipline is a means to “train up a child in the way he should go…” (Proverbs 22:6)

Scripture support for corporal discipline:

Proverbs 29:15 – “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”

Proverbs 13:24 – “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

Proverbs 23:14 –“You shall beat him with a rod, and deliver his soul from hell. “

Proverbs 22:15 – “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”

Corporal discipline (spanking) is designed, by God, to be a means of love and grace to awaken us to the judgment that is to come, to provide moral clarity, and to point us to the need for a personal Savior. God wants parents to use discipline to show children:

1. The seriousness of sin
2. The need for God’s forgiveness through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

Biblical spanking is designed to bring about salvation, and properly applied will not cause undue mental distress.

We have guidelines to protect our children from abuse. 

• Never touch a child out of frustration or anger.
• Any adult who is present in a church sponsored activity for children or youth should be accompanied by another adult.
• Leaders, workers and volunteers should not, during a church sponsored program, be alone with a single child where others cannot observe them.
• Staff and volunteers may not use corporal discipline on children enrolled in Central Chapel’s children and youth ministries.
• Physical restraint is used only in situations necessary to protect the child, other children, or staff from harm.

Below is our complete Child Protection and Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy

1. Purpose – 

It is critically important that we provide a safe environment for the children and youth in our church and that each Children’s Ministry and Youth Staff member understand the Biblical, moral, and legal responsibility we have for the children and youth in our care.  For this reason, we have adopted a policy to protect our children and to reduce the risk of child abuse.  Every person whether paid staff or volunteer worker, involved in youth work must be familiar with this policy and must satisfactorily complete our screening procedures.

2. Motivation – This policy is motivated and made necessary by several concerns.  

First, we recognize God’s tender love and concern for children (see Luke 18:16) and want to do all that we can to protect our children from any kind of physical, emotional, or mental abuse, including, but not limited to, the sexual exploitation of a child.  While we would like to believe that such abuse could never take place at Central Chapel, we recognize that our church is not immune to the effects of sin and that it would be presumptuous for us to assume that this problem could never arise in our church.  Accordingly, while we strive to be as innocent as doves, we must also be as shrewd as serpents (Matthew 10:16).  This should be especially true with regard to the children God has placed under our care.

Second, we seek to protect our youth/child ministry workers from being falsely suspected or accused of wrongful behavior toward a child.  Such accusations can also result in a great deal of damage, even to an innocent worker.  This policy, and the procedures for maintaining a safe environment and for admonishing inappropriate behavior, is designed to serve the dual purposes of preventing compromising situations and the appearance of impropriety, and to strengthen an innocent youth/child ministry workers defense against false accusations.

Third, we seek to protect Central Chapel from the scandal and trauma that an incident of abuse could bring upon our church.  We recognize that an accusation of, or incident involving abuse, could divide the congregation and distract Central Chapel’s leaders from important ministries.  An abuse incident could subject Central Chapel to legal liability, including a prolonged and expensive lawsuit.  Media coverage of such an incident could direct adverse publicity toward the church.  With this policy and procedure, Central Chapel sees the danger of abuse and seeks to take refuge by minimizing that danger, rather than to blindly forge ahead and suffer the consequences.  (See Proverbs 22:3)

Central Chapel believes that this policy will help us to guard the honor and reputation of our Lord Jesus Christ, by avoiding the negative opinion that many in the community would have of Central Chapel if a child in our church is harmed.  Attempting to protect our children from abuse is a way to see that such dishonor does not happen.

3. The Screening Process – All youth/child ministry workers must undergo a screening process in

order to serve.  A youth/child ministry worker is any individual who regularly supervises or has 

custody of minors in our church, including, but not limited to, nursery workers, Sunday School 

teachers or assistants, children’s church leaders or assistants, Awana leaders or helpers, or 

youth/child ministry group leaders or assistants.

A. All applicants for youth/child ministry work shall comply with the following:

1. 3-month rule: Volunteer youth/child ministry workers must have been in regular attendance at Central Chapel for at least 3 months.

2. Application form: Applicants for paid and volunteer positions must complete a Central Chapel Youth/Children Work Application form.

3. Personal interview:  Applicants may be interviewed by a Screening Team at the end of the application process and background check, to report on the screening results and make sure there are no questions (see #2 below).  The screening team is comprised of two or three individuals designated by the elders or deacons of Central Chapel and shall include Central Chapel’s lead Pastor.

B. A background investigation will be conducted for all paid and volunteer applicants.  This

investigation targets any criminal convictions and/or legal history in regards to child abuse

or child sexual abuse/neglect and/or any form of sexual abuse/assault.  The background

check also indicates whether or not an individual is registered as a sex offender.

(1)  All information obtained during the screening process will be treated as confidential, will be maintained and sealed in a locked filing cabinet accessible only to those Central Chapel officials involved in the screening process, and will not be disclosed to others, unless, after consultation with the appropriate law enforcement and/or social services authorities, it is determined that limited disclosure is necessary to protect a child from possible harm.

              (2) The Screening Team will confirm that the applicant has successfully completed the application process necessary for work in youth/children ministries.  Approval for work in a specific ministry will be made by the leader of that ministry.

4. Maintaining a Safe Environment

1. Prayer – Youth/child ministry workers must pray regularly for the children in our church, thanking God for the privilege of ministering to them, asking Him to protect them from any kind of harm, and praying for wisdom and discernment of ways to help and protect our children.

B. Training – Youth and children’s workers will be provided access to training that may include a review of the standards of conduct, a discussion of prohibited conduct, a review of the procedures required to maintain a safe environment, training on how to identify inappropriate behavior by adults toward children, a description of the indications of physical and sexual abuse in children, and training on how to admonish inappropriate behavior observed in another. An overview will be provided of when and how to report inappropriate behavior, violations of the standards of conduct, prohibited conduct, and suspected physical and/or sexual abuse.  All youth/child ministry workers must read this policy statement. 

C. Adult Supervision – At least one approved adult (person 18 years of age or older, who

has been approved for youth/child ministry work) must be present at all times during any

youth/child ministry activity conducted and/or directly sponsored by Central Chapel.  Youth/child ministry workers need to work in pairs to supervise children so that the ministry workers are not alone with the children.

D. Standards of Conduct

(1) Youth/child ministry workers will not behave in a sexually inappropriate way.

(2) While common expressions of affection (hugs), affirmation (pats on the back),

support (prayer), and physical care (changing diapers, etc.) are appropriate, such

expressions will not be excessive nor imposed on another individual.

(3) Youth must be transported in groups.  An unaccompanied adult should not transport an individual child in a Central Chapel sponsored activity without permission from the child’s parent or guardian.

E. Prohibited Conduct – Youth/child ministry workers are prohibited from engaging in:

(1) Any form of physical, emotional, or mental abuse of a child, including but not limited to the sexual exploitation of a child.

(2) Sexual exploitation of a child prohibited by this policy includes, but is not limited to, any interaction between a child and a worker in which the child is being used for the sexual stimulation of the worker.  This may or may not involve touching.

(3) Exploitation of a child which is designed to break down the child’s inhibitions, and may include sexually demeaning comments, verbal suggestion of sexual involvement or activity, questions or comments about sexual behavior, unwelcome or inappropriate physical contact, graphic or degrading sexually oriented comments about an individual’s physical appearance, express or implied sexual advances or propositions, display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, and repeated requests for social engagements after an individual refuses.

4. Comments about sexual matters, especially about or in the presence of children.

5. Use of pornography, including, but not limited to sexually explicit television shows, movies, books, magazines, video games and/or social media.

6. Excessive and inappropriate attention to a particular child, especially if it involves an effort to be alone with the child.

5. Admonishing and Reporting Inappropriate Behavior or Violation of Standards of Conduct

A. All youth/child ministry workers must watch for behavior by anyone at Central Chapel which indicates that he or she may be inclined to abuse, molest, or otherwise harm any child under the care of this Central Chapel.  Youth/child ministry workers must also watch for indications that a child under the care of Central Chapel is being abused, molested, neglected, or otherwise harmed.

B. Any youth/child ministry worker who observes another talking or acting in a manner that may be innocent, but might appear to others to be inappropriate, must encourage that person to exercise greater care in words and actions (see Matt. 18:15).

C. Any youth/child ministry worker who observes another talking or acting in a manner that gives rise to a reasonable suspicion of improper behavior or involvement with a child, or of the potential for improper behavior or involvement with a child, must promptly report that concern to the youth/child ministry leader or coordinator, a deacon, an elder, or a pastor.

D. Prohibited Conduct must be reported immediately – Any youth/child ministry worker observing another youth/child ministry worker engaging in any conduct described in the Prohibited Conduct section of this policy must immediately report that conduct to the youth/child ministry leader or coordinator, a deacon, an elder, or a pastor.

E. Inappropriate Conduct by a Child under Central Chapel supervision

1. If the child becomes uncooperative, unruly, aggressive, or combative towards the youth/child ministry worker, the worker will send assistive staff to get the parent/guardian of the child to either accompany the child or remove the child from the classroom/activity.  The youth/child worker will not physically try to remove the child from the classroom/activity.

1. In the event that only 2 youth/child ministry workers are present in the

classroom/activity and an event occurs, the lead worker will either contact a Central Chapel Church Leadership member by phone or send 2 senior students to the Atrium/Foyer area to get assistance.

2. If the parent or guardian is not available to come to the classroom or activity, a member of Central Chapel leadership (Pastor, Elder, Deacon, etc…) will be asked to come be with the child and assist the youth/child ministry worker until the class or activity is over and then report incident to the parents/guardian at pickup.

3. If the child is aggressive or combative and the youth/child ministry worker feels it is unsafe for the other children in the class/activity, the worker can move the other children to an area of safety utilizing the assistance staff.

4. Restraint of the aggressive or combative child can only be used if there is a substantial risk of bodily harm to another.

F.  Investigation of Allegations of Abuse or Prohibited Conduct

1. When an incident occurs and is relayed to Central Chapel Church Leadership, an Investigative Committee will be formed by the Pastor-Elder Board.  The role of this committee is to review the incident that occurred, interview all parties involved, obtain witness testimony, and report the findings to the Pastor-Elder Board to make a decision on how to proceed further with the incident mitigation.  This Investigative Committee shall be comprised of:
   1. A Pastor
   2. An Elder
   3. A Deacon
   4. A Trustee
   5. A member of the Christian Education Committee

2. When upon review and investigation completion, the Pastor-Elder Board (PEB) may determine that:
   1. The student may return as normal.
   2. The student will be allowed to return to the class/activity only by accompaniment of a parent or guardian.
   3. The student will be prohibited from returning to the class/activity in the future.

3. The same Investigative Committee will investigate and evaluate the response of the youth/child worker involved in the incident.  The evaluation shall be based upon the worker’s response in complying to the protocols set forth in this document.  Upon completion of investigation and an evaluation, the Pastor-Elder Board (PEB) may determine:

1.   An appropriate response was conducted and no further action is required.
2.   An inappropriate response was conducted and further action is required.
   1. Temporary suspension of teaching status with re-training required.
   2. Permanent dismissal from teaching status at Central Chapel.

6. Abuse or Neglect Occurring Outside of Central Chapel

Reporting actual or suspected abuse or neglect of a child

A. No single indicator of abuse or neglect is necessarily cause for alarm, but it may be cause to observe a given person or situation more closely.  When multiple indicators appear together, however, you should discuss the situation with the youth/child ministry leader or coordinator, an elder, a deacon, or a pastor.

2. Indications of physical abuse include: child reports injury by others; unexplained bruises, welts, lacerations, burns, fractures, abdominal injuries, or human bites; child is unusually wary of physical contact with adults, demonstrates extremes in behavior, or seems frightened of parents or caregiver.

C. Indications of sexual abuse include: child reports abuse by others; has difficulty walking or sitting; torn, stained, or bloody underclothing; complaints of pain or itching in genital area; bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal area; unusual interest in or knowledge of sexual matters; or other unusual and excessive behaviors inappropriate for a child of that age.

D. Because of the severe, adverse consequences a report of abuse may have to a family, it should never be done casually or thoughtlessly, and certainly not for malicious purposes.  At the same time, the failure to report abuse can have severe consequences to a child at risk.  Therefore, if you have reasonable cause to suspect abuse consult with the youth/child ministry leader or coordinator, an elder, a deacon, or a pastor, to help decide what steps should be taken to protect the child and help the family.