In addition to the sex abuse prevention resources posted on the Executive Committee's sbc.net, many Baptist state conventions have posted resources on their Web sites as well. State conventions have offered or are offering the following types of helps to their affiliated churches.
1 Most state conventions have designated a state convention employee or an office of convention ministry to assist individuals or churches who desire to develop policies, find resources, or take other appropriate steps to safeguard the children under their care.
2 Many state conventions have conducted training seminars with churches and/or associations to help highlight steps to safeguard children. These have included presentations on risk management by insurance carriers, conferences led by certified counselors in the area of sex abuse and prevention, training events conducted by age-graded specialists, and breakout sessions at church-health conferences. Several states have upcoming training events already scheduled on their 2008-2009 calendar. Others stand ready to provide additional training at the associational level or local church level upon request.
3 Several state conventions have entered into contractual agreements with companies that specialize in candidate screening. These companies charge nominal fees to do background checks through multiple venues to assure, as much as is possible, that prospective staff and volunteers have no criminal record in their past. Churches in these states receive discounts when they make use of these contracted vendors.
4 More and more of our affiliated state conventions are cross-referencing their Web-based resources with the resources posted on www.sbc.net/localchurches/ministryhelp.asp, the sex abuse prevention link on the Executive Committee's sbc.net. With these cross-referenced resources, local churches should be more fully equipped to create safe environments for the preschoolers, children, and teenagers entrusted to their care by their parents.
To find the resources your state convention may already provide, feel free to check your state convention Web site or call your state convention office staff.
Available from LifeWay Christian Stores
These, along with many other helpful resources, can be found online at www.LifeWayStores.com or at your local LifeWay Christian Bookstore.
Hush: Moving from Silence to Healing after Childhood Sexual Abuse
Nicole Braddock Bromley
Moody Publishers, $12.99
Caring for Sexually Abused Children: A Handbook for Families and Churches
R. Timothy Kearney
Intervarsity Press, $13.00
On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the Door to Hope and Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Diane Langberg
Tyndale House Publishers, $12.99
A Healing Marriage: Biblical Help for Overcoming Childhood Sexual Abuse
Brad Tuggle and Cheryl Tuggle
NavPress Publishing Group, $10.99
The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Dan B. Allender
NavPress Publishing Group, $17.00
Released from Bondage
Neil Anderson, Fernando Garzon, and Judy King
Thomas Nelson Publishers, $15.98
Available from The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Faith & Family Impact is a dynamic resource designed to provide biblically-grounded information and insight on the issue of Child Abuse. Each four-page publication, sized for easy placement in most church bulletins, can be used as a stand-alone informational handout and includes specific prayer points, action steps, and the plan of salvation.
Order at erlc.com or by calling 1-800-475-9127.
