West Texas District Church of the Nazarene and MinistrySafe
Dear Pastors and Children’s Ministry Leaders,
The Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene has made a formal statement regarding our policy regarding sexual misconduct. “The Church of the Nazarene has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with minors. All workers, leaders, and pastoral staff are to be above reproach in their conduct and to act in the best interest of others. This requires not only that they themselves refrain from engaging in any abusive or suspicious behavior involving minors; they will also be required to report without delay to the proper authorities anyone seen engaging in such behavior.” The Board of General Superintendents (statement from M11 conference in Louisville).
The West Texas Children and Youth Ministries partner with MinistrySafe for our online sexual abuse training. MinistrySafe is a tool to help churches begin the process of protecting the children and youth in their ministries. The West Texas Ministry Safe Training Team (MST) will be working with each church on the district that ministers to children to begin (or update) this process at their local church.
We will be taking the following approach:
The Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene has made a formal statement regarding our policy regarding sexual misconduct. “The Church of the Nazarene has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with minors. All workers, leaders, and pastoral staff are to be above reproach in their conduct and to act in the best interest of others. This requires not only that they themselves refrain from engaging in any abusive or suspicious behavior involving minors; they will also be required to report without delay to the proper authorities anyone seen engaging in such behavior.” The Board of General Superintendents (statement from M11 conference in Louisville).
The West Texas Children and Youth Ministries partner with MinistrySafe for our online sexual abuse training. MinistrySafe is a tool to help churches begin the process of protecting the children and youth in their ministries. The West Texas Ministry Safe Training Team (MST) will be working with each church on the district that ministers to children to begin (or update) this process at their local church.
We will be taking the following approach:
STEP 1
Every Senior/Lead Pastor communicates with the West Texas Ministry Safe Training Team (MST) a list of pastoral staff, leaders, or volunteers who minister with children or youth (18 years of age or younger). All Senior/Lead Pastors are required to complete the training regardless if they directly minister to children/youth or not.
- Provide First/Last Name, working email, preferred language, and identify if Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (AWT) or Skillful Screening Training (SS) is required.
- Please note, Skillful Screening is required for all senior/lead pastors and anyone who screens/hires/fires staff or volunteers who will be ministering to children/youth.
STEP 2
The MST will send a training email to each person’s email provided from Step 1. This email will include a link for each individual to complete the training. If there are individuals who do not have a working email, the senior pastor (or delegate) can contact the MST to discuss an alternative approach for training.
STEP 3
Each individual will open the link provided (open the link only once). They are to watch all seven videos and then complete the online quiz. This will take approximately one hour to complete the entire process for Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. (Senior Pastors are provided a separate link to complete the Skillful Screening Training).
STEP 4
The MinistrySafe system will notify the MST that the training is completed. The Team will update records and notify West Texas Kids Treasurer to initiate payment from local churches.
STEP 5
West Texas Kids Treasurer, Candace Clem (txclem1@gmail.com), will coordinate with each local church to pay for the training. (Training costs $5 per MinistrySafe Awareness Training; $50 for Skillful Screening Training).
The MST is prepared to work with you as you conduct this process on the local level.
See team contact information:
Mary Brewer - 817-915-5034 - mzolabird@gmail.com | Zones: Fort Worth, Lamesa, Metro Mid-Cities, Wichita Falls
Connie Lincecum - 817-240-4474 - clincecum@fwfnca.org | Zones: Abilene, Amarillo, Arrowhead, Denton, High Plains, Lubbock
Jennifer Sommers – 817-919-8078 - jsommers@fwf.org
Regards,
Jennifer Sommers
West Texas District Children’s Director
The MST is prepared to work with you as you conduct this process on the local level.
See team contact information:
Mary Brewer - 817-915-5034 - mzolabird@gmail.com | Zones: Fort Worth, Lamesa, Metro Mid-Cities, Wichita Falls
Connie Lincecum - 817-240-4474 - clincecum@fwfnca.org | Zones: Abilene, Amarillo, Arrowhead, Denton, High Plains, Lubbock
Jennifer Sommers – 817-919-8078 - jsommers@fwf.org
Regards,
Jennifer Sommers
West Texas District Children’s Director