Abuse Prevention Training

I am pleased to announce that both de Cristo and Grand Canyon presbyteries now offer multiple, online, training courses in sexual misconduct prevention and child, youth and adult protection. These courses are offered through the presbyteries’ association with Hugh Wood / Insurance Board and are available for all members of both presbyteries. One’s church does not need to have insurance through HW/IB to utilize these training opportunities.

As part of the services provided by HW/IB, these training courses promote safety awareness and safe practices for individuals and congregations toward ensuring the protection of our most vulnerable members. Moreover, they are easy to use! Carolyn McBurney, the office manager for the shared staff, is the program administrator for the online courses, and all anyone who wants to participate needs to do is contact Carolyn with a request to take a course. I was Carolyn’s guinea pig to make sure the process was seamless, and the process went something like this:

• I made a phone call to Carolyn at 602-468-3820 (although I could have emailed her at carolynmcburney@gmail.com ).
• I received an email with a link to a website, a login name, a password and instructions.
• I followed the instructions (about three steps).
• I took one of the courses (timed at 20 minutes).
• The training course automatically sent an email to Carolyn indicating my successful completion.

It was that simple. It is as necessary as it is simple.

Because protecting our children and preventing sexual predation is the work of entire communities, I have proposed to the Commissions on Ministry within both presbyteries that their respective Sexual Misconduct policies be revised to include a requirement for annual training either at a face-to-face workshop or through the online courses. I believe we need “200% accountability,” by which I mean the expectation that everyone learns, grows and stays current with best practices (100% accountability) and that each of us expects the same of everyone (200% accountability). The final form of the policy revision and requirements are yet to be approved, but given that training is simple, straightforward and available to all, there is no excuse not to fulfill our due diligence as presbyters, candidates, youth workers, Sunday School teachers and nursery attendants.  Information will be available at the August 15 presbytery meeting and in the “Clerk’s Corner” on the Presbytery website.

Grace and peace,

Brad Munroe

P.S. Churches interested in utilizing the Presbytery to conduct background checks, may do so at a 50% discount for churches enrolled with the Insurance Board. Those churches not enrolled may participate, but will pay the full rate.  An application form will be available on the Presbytery website.  Complete the form and mail or fax to the Presbytery office (never email something containing social security numbers.) Your church will be billed for each check.