Most church leaders recognize that they need processes and procedures to nurture trust in their faith community. Too often, however, this task is treated like an assignment that has to get done for effective ministry to continue while policies and procedures are piecemealed together. Introduced in April 2023, Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust Within Faith Communities is a comprehensive guide that sets clear standards and processes for church leaders. The resource shows leaders that protecting and caring for the vulnerable is a fundamental part of the discipleship ministry of their church. 

Leaders of faith communities play an essential role in providing a space of support, guidance and connection to individuals seeking to live out their spiritual beliefs. If you as a leader are familiar with the original editions of Safe Sanctuaries and their supplemental, specialized editions, you know that these guides set the standard for evaluating environments and creating policies that fit your context and meet the legal standards required by your local government. Safer Sanctuaries continues that tradition and expands upon those foundations.

Faith communities continue to be places where individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable, experience harm. And the definition of “vulnerability” has expanded over time. The stories and patterns of abuse that have been reported over the last twenty-five years show that anyone and everyone is vulnerable to the possibility of abuse. Today it is more critical than ever for church leaders to inspire their congregations to embrace the concept of care as an element of discipleship. Everyone deserves care and protection from harm.

Church leaders must nurture trust within faith communities by creating clear processes and procedures and equipping champions to help the congregation work together to understand, follow, and take ownership for the procedures. The original versions of Safe Sanctuaries placed a spotlight on children, youth, individuals with disabilities, and older adults as vulnerable populations who needed intentional support. Safer Sanctuariesexpands on the earlier work with chapters dedicated to the nuances of the vulnerabilities with those populations. Completely updated chapters help the entire congregation share the responsibility for safety, provide new information to aid trauma-informed ministry, explore emerging online challenges, emphasize mental health awareness, and give specific guidance for unique ministry situations like retreats, camps, and Vacation Bible Schools.

Safer Sanctuaries also recognizes that adults of all ages—including clergy—can find themselves in vulnerable positions as they engage in ministry. Individuals who have experienced trauma, such as sexual assault or domestic violence, may be affected by conversations related to this topic. The updated definitions of “abuse” and the intentional plans to foster community and create safe processes to report abuse can deepen the faith-building relationships within a community. Likewise, church leaders can feel more confident and equipped to lead when they are familiar with and embrace the guidance for creating policies and procedures for their community. This helps to design clear pathways for a clergyperson to build trust through training as well as to be prepared adequately for ministry to and through an abuse event. Safer Sanctuaries also includes updated language and suggestions for how to be in ministry with known abusers and create healthy opportunities for them that do not increase risk for others or for themselves. 

Additionally, church members who are part of LGBTQIA+ communities or have family members in those communities may feel more vulnerable within faith communities. Among young adults and youth, conversations related to human sexuality and gender identity are much different than they were when the original Safe Sanctuaries was published. Safer Sanctuaries includes updated language to help church leaders create clear policies and response procedures related to harassment and bullying, whether LGBTQIA+ persons are the target of those behaviors or not.

Finally, as a comprehensive update to any policies built on the original Safe Sanctuaries, the publishing team is thrilled that this resource combines the expertise of many writers. Each writer covers aspects of vulnerability and equipping the church to meet the challenge of providing safe space for faith communities. The power of diverse voices and experiences, combined with the vision of Safe Sanctuaries’ original authors, creates a resource that sets a new standard for building trust through responsible ministry leadership practices.

Your church may already have a Safe Sanctuaries policy in place. Your church or larger organization of which you are a part may even have standing agreements with background-check and training providers, like Ministry Safe or Safe Gatherings, used to streamline and administrate your church’s policies and procedures. If so, please continue with those efforts. ALWAYS REMEMBER that it is important to recognize that creating a safe and welcoming space is an ongoing process. It requires constant attention and intentional effort. Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust Within Faith Communities is a necessary update and expansion to the foundations upon which any current policies and practices are built.

The benefits of creating such a trusted, safe space are immeasurable. By nurturing trust within our faith communities, we create a space where individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered to live out their faith. Ultimately, caring for others as disciples means recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. It means working to create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and loved. It means educating a congregation so that all can share in the joyful responsibility of caring for each other.