safeguarding briefing
Church culture: 'But we've always done it that way'
Jules Loveland
In every church, there is an often unseen influence that can bring life and progress to a congregation or leave it stagnated. This influence is church culture.
Frequently overlooked and under-appreciated, culture is always present. It shapes the way we think, behave, and interact with one another. Understanding the significance of our church culture is essential, for effective evangelism, growth and pastoral care.
safeguarding briefing
Dispelling the myths around safeguarding
Jules Loveland
Safeguarding is foundational to protecting and supporting people in your church or organisation, especially those who are vulnerable.
Despite the concept not being new, there are still a lot of myths about safeguarding, and a lack of proper understanding about what it means. These misconceptions can interfere with good practice, so let’s clear things up by debunking six of these common myths.
safeguarding briefing
Supporting survivors of abuse in churches
Jules Loveland
Content warning: This article contains information about responding to reports of abuse which some readers may find triggering. Survivors of abuse in churches face unique challenges when it comes to receiving support. Their experiences teach the church how to respond better and prevent abuse.
We think of churches as safe places, mostly because of their teaching of ‘love thy neighbour’. But history shows abuse can happen in these communities. It’s crucial that the church learns to respond appropriately to abuse. Failure to do so causes further harm to survivors, and puts others at risk.