1. Ministry in the Light Bay Presbyterian Church Protection Policy Training Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

2. Ministry in the Light Ministry to children and students at BPC is a joy, a privilege, and a responsibility. We take seriously the call to impact young lives for Jesus Christ, as well as the responsibility to do all we can to ensure the safety of those young lives. Thanks for doing your part as a volunteer who has completed our training for MINISTRY IN THE LIGHT.

3. Ministry in the Light Today, ensuring safety goes beyond posting fire escape routes and keeping our toddler and nursery rooms adequately staffed. Keeping our kids safe involves conducting ministry in such a way that potential problems are minimized. That is MINISTRY IN THE LIGHT.

4. Ministry in the Light Unfortunately, today we know that a very real and potential problem is child sexual abuse. One in four children are sexually abused before adulthood. That is 25% of children. The church, as a trusting and typically open institution is often the target of sexual predators. 89% of abuse is performed by family members or acquaintances; someone known and trusted by the child.

5. Ministry in the Light The Protection Policy of Bay Presbyterian Church was approved as policy in 1999. Our prayer is that this policy, by virtue of our adherence to it, will help to: Reduce the risk of sexual molestation for our children and students. Increase protection of our staff and volunteers from potential allegations. Limit the extent of the church’s liability and legal risk due to sexual abuse. Help our volunteers instinctively minister IN THE LIGHT.

6. Ministry in the Light What is expected of you, the volunteer/staff in children/student ministries? You should have completed a screening form and an application. You are completing this training. You may be asked to complete a fingerprint/background check. You will be expected to know the protocols for ministry and practice them to the best of your ability.

7. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *ATTENDANCE* An attendance log must be kept for all ministry gatherings of children and students. Per the discretion of the ministry director, this log may be kept classroom by classroom, or for an entire large group environment. Therefore, as an individual volunteer, you may be asked to record the attendance of the children/students with whom you minister. If this is not required of you, it is because attendance is taken “outside” of the classroom/small group environment.

8. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *DISMISSAL* No child, fourth grade or under, shall be dismissed to anyone other than the parent who brought the child or who the parent has designated to pick up their child. All parents of children fourth grade and under are given a pick-up tag when they drop their child off. This must be presented in order for the parent/designated adult to pick up the child. Do not release a child to anyone not presenting the pick-up tag for that child. See your ministry director if you encounter a problem with this.

9. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *MEETING PLACES/VOLUNTEER RATIOS* Doors to all meeting places should remain unlocked at all times when ministry is going on. When feasible, the top portion of dutch doors should remain open. In classroom settings for ministry with children, there should be at least two volunteers at all times. This can be a teen/adult combination.

10. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *MEETING PLACES/VOLUNTEER RATIOS* In classroom settings for ministry with students, there should be at least two volunteers at all times UNLESS this ministry occurs on a Sunday morning. When a Sunday morning ministry with students involves the presence of only one volunteer, the door to the room MUST remain open.

11. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *USE OF BATHROOMS BY CHILDREN ON-SITE MINISTRY* Volunteers assisting preschoolers in the bathroom must leave the classroom bathroom doors open. Bathroom trips made by children (fourth grade and under) to bathrooms located in the hallways must be supervised by two people who remain outside the bathroom while it is being used. Specific directions on bathroom protocols for the environment you will be ministering will be given to you by your ministry director.

12. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *OFF-SITE MINISTRY WITH STUDENTS* Volunteers meeting with students off-site will meet in public places. When ministry is taking place in the home of a student and only one volunteer is present, another adult must be in the home at the time. This can be a parent.

13. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *PHYSICAL CONTACT* Every effort should be made to avoid contact which could be misinterpreted.

14. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *ELEVATOR USE* Under no circumstances should a volunteer use an elevator with a child alone. Elevator use MUST involve the presence of at least two volunteers.

15. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *TRANSPORTATION* Volunteers are ONLY permitted to transport children/students if they: Are a licensed driver over age 21. Provide information regarding the compliance of the vehicle to be driven to their ministry director. Have obtained parental permission. Are not alone in the car with the student/child.

16. Ministry in the Light MINISTRY PROTOCALS *COMMUNICATION* Volunteers may not discuss topics of a sexual nature with students of the opposite gender UNLESS another volunteer is present. Volunteers who suspect child abuse must report the information that has been shared or has been gleaned to your ministry director. Volunteers are also strongly encouraged to report any infractions of this policy that they observe at any time to their ministry director.

17. Ministry in the Light You have completed the training for volunteers at BPC who serve children and youth. THANK YOU! Please proceed by closing this document and completing STEP 2: Children’s Ministry Volunteer Questionnaire Our prayers go with you as you minister IN THE LIGHT.