Churches today in the USA have a miriad of safety threats. From first aid (the most common), to security (the most feared), to children’s safety, to various fire and electrical threats, to food allergies, and more, churches are challenged to have a comprehensive approach to safety. This book, Intentional Church Safety, and its author Bevan Collins are dedicated to a practical approach for churches to achieve a stronger degree of safety within the capabilities and beliefs of their congregations.
Proverbs 24:10
“If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited.”
The driver for more safety is LOVE. This is what should drive each member of this group all the time. LOVE for the members, visitors, children, lost, and even enemies of the church. Obedience to the Gospel of Christ is a requirement and a strength.
John 15: 12-13
“This is My commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
How can we structure a safety group?
Building a safety group is dependent on the capabilities and needs of each church. In this book, a method for building a Safety Committee and then Safety Teams is described. The final organization for individual churches can vary widely, but the focus is to use the abilities and beliefs of the congregation without overworking anyone. This requires teamwork and some training. Some good training resources are described in the book.
How do we identify the roles and responsibilities within the Teams?
Each team will have its special focus responsibility. Typical roles and responsibilties are described, along with some example job descriptions. This process allows the church to define the roles and responsibilities, including limitations, as well as policies that apply to each team.
How can we build a church Safety Handbook?
Once the organization and team roles and responsibilities are developed, a Safety Handbook may be created for each church. This documentation is important for insurance purposes as well as a look-back for any litigation that the church may encounter later on.