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Safe Sanctuary Policy

Jesus said “Let the children come to me, for to such belong the kingdom of heaven...” On many Sundays in the Lake Edge sanctuary, we baptize children and welcome children, promising to love them, to teach them and to honor them in every way.

Children depend on us to have safe places for them to learn and to grow. Child abuse does not discriminate and knows no boundaries. Children can be abused in a home, a school, a car, a public place and, news stories tell us, even in a church.

Lake Edge education ministries with our children and youth have never been compromised. For the sake of our children and the protection of our workers against false allegations, Lake Edge has taken proactive steps to prevent abuse and become a "Safe Sanctuary" for children and the adults who work with them.

As part of the Safe Sanctuary program, Lake Edge has committed to ensuring that at least two unrelated adults are working together to supervise children. Children are never left alone with an adult outside their own family. In practice, this means each Sunday School has a regular classroom teacher plus a "Second Adult." Members of the congregation are encouraged to volunteer to serve as second adults. Second adults can sign up for the Sundays of their choosing and do not need to prepare Sunday School curriculum.


Safe Sanctuary Values

  • Our church is a community of faith that can offer a safe haven and sanctuary where children and youth can seek advice, help and nurture.
  • Our church is a place where more than just the facts of child abuse can be taught.  We can also teach and proclaim our Christian values: compassion, justice, repentance and grace.
  • Our church is a place where children can come and learn and develop inner strength and spiritual resources they will need to feel truly connected to God.
  • Our church can be the place where children and adults are able to learn how to respond to painful and confusing events using the wisdom of the Scriptures.