In Depth:  safeguarding

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Church culture: 'But we've always done it that way'
safeguarding briefing

Church culture: 'But we've always done it that way'
Jules Loveland
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.

Jonathan Fletcher facing nine charges

Jonathan Fletcher facing nine charges
Nicola Laver
Nicola Laver

Former vicar Jonathan Fletcher has been charged with eight counts of indecent assault and one of grievous bodily harm. The offences were allegedly committed between 1973 and 1999.

Fletcher, 81, is due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on 7 August. The Metropolitan Police has urged any victims of abuse to come forward and speak with specialist officers.

Bullying, abuse of power, threats and exclusion: Why evangelicals need new C of E structures

Bullying, abuse of power, threats and exclusion: Why evangelicals need new C of E structures
John Dunnett
John Dunnett

It is still being assumed by those pursuing change in the Church of England that we can simply ‘agree to disagree’ over matters of same-sex marriage and blessings. In practice, this means that the permission not to use the Prayers of Love and Faith is a sufficient provision and that either no or minimum structural rearrangement is necessary.

This, however, remains a theological ostrich with its head in the sand. How can the Church of England simultaneously say that same-sex marriage and blessings are both sinful and holy? And as someone who holds to a globally acknowledged Biblical position on human sexuality, my conscience will not allow me to simply accept a Church of England that blesses sin as if it were holiness.

Supporting survivors of abuse in churches
safeguarding briefing

Supporting survivors of abuse in churches
Jules Loveland
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.

How do proposals on mandatory reporting of abuse affect me?
safeguarding briefing

How do proposals on mandatory reporting of abuse affect me?

Peter Wright
Peter Wright

Content warning: this post contains information about responding to reports of harm and abuse which some readers may find triggering. Please take care when reading.

One year on from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) the government has launched a consultation on proposals to deliver one of the Inquiry’s key recommendations: Mandatory reporting. But what does this mandatory reporting duty mean in practice for churches, who would it relate to, and what are some of the challenges to its implementation?

Risk assessments, sin and the trap of Pharisaism

Risk assessments, sin and the trap of Pharisaism
Karen Soole
Karen Soole

I recently completed an admin task that I had never done before.

It was perhaps something that I should have done before, but no one had asked, and I hadn’t considered it necessary. I had managed to avoid it for 30 years. That is approximately the number of years my husband and I have led one Bible study group or another in our home. What was the task? A risk assessment for leading a church group in our home. Why, after all these years, are we now doing one? Because it was recommended as good practice at recent safeguarding training. Some of you reading this may be horrified by our previous lack of diligence, especially as we had four children at home during much of that time. Others of you may now be thinking that perhaps this is something you need to add to your to-do list.

Mandatory abuse reporting ‘in focus’

Mandatory abuse reporting ‘in focus’
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

(cid:31)e ‘not guilty’ verdict handed down to Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston – accused of concealing the crimes of his abuser father – brings mandatory reporting ‘into sharp focus,’ says a leading UK safeguarding expert.

Speaking exclusively to Evangelicals Now, Simon Bass of Church Safeguarding Consultancy said: ‘Many will have been shocked that Houston was acquitted, given how critical the Australian Royal Commission report back in 2014 was. The UK’s Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has called for the failure to report abuse to become a criminal offence. Such a law would undoubtedly encompass church leaders’.

Pain after report on Mike Pilavachi

Pain after report on Mike Pilavachi
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

Churches and Christian organisations have spoken of their sadness and pain as the official report into well-known charismatic leader Mike Pilavachi said he displayed coercive and controlling behaviour at the church and had inappropriate relationships.

His actions included massaging young male interns and wrestling young men as he used his ‘spiritual authority to control people’.

Making space for children to be heard
safeguarding briefing

Making space for children to be heard

Emma Lawson
Emma Lawson

A renegade Rabbi wows the crowds on the scrubby hills of Palestine. His manner and teaching captivate even the youngest among them.

‘Don’t bother the Rabbi’ say a throng of men towering over the little ones – their voices scalding. But Jesus says: ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven’ (Matt.19:14).

London evangelical church requests safeguarding probe

London evangelical church requests safeguarding probe
Nicola Laver
Nicola Laver

Content warning: This report contains information about reports of abuse which some readers may find triggering. Please take care when reading.

An external review into the ‘safeguarding culture’ at an independent evangelical London church has been commissioned by its leaders.

When a leader is investigated…
safeguarding briefing

When a leader is investigated…
Emma Lawson
Emma Lawson

Content warning: this post contains information about responding to reports of harm and abuse which some readers may find triggering. Please take care when reading.

You find out that a Christian leader who has influenced your faith is under investigation and has stepped back from ministry in the meantime. How does this make you feel? Confused? Shaken?

Safeguarding concerns

Safeguarding concerns
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

Justin Humphreys, joint CEO of safeguarding charity thirtyone:eight, says safeguarding issues and/or bullying involving senior leaders remains widespread across the faith spectrum.

He told en: ‘The problem is far wider and deeper than we have seen so far, with undoubtedly many more cases yet to surface. But, despite some recent examples, conservative evangelicals do not have a worse problem than other parts of the church. Although abuse may manifest itself differently in different denominations, harm and abuse knows no boundaries.’

A checklist for your Holiday Bible Club
safeguarding briefing

A checklist for your Holiday Bible Club
Emma Lawson
Emma Lawson

Holiday clubs are a fantastic opportunity to put on fun activities for children and young people, especially young people who may feel lonely, isolated and bored.

But any holiday club, residential or camp, should be carefully thought through and the safety and wellbeing of children put at the forefront of all your activities. Doing this requires forward planning.

Letter

Issues around abuse
Date posted: 1 Jan 2023

Dear Editor,

As someone who witnessed explicit sexual abuse at a Christian boys’ camp in my youth, I’m not entirely surprised at the degree of abuse of all kinds mentioned by Dr Langberg in the en interview with Rebecca Chapman (November 2022).

Abuse in the church: where do we go from here?
safeguarding briefing

Abuse in the church: where do we go from here?
Emma Lawson
Emma Lawson

Both the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and the Church of England’s Second Past Cases Review (PCR2) report uncovered hundreds of cases of church-based abuse.

Behind each case is a victim and survivor of abuse who has bravely come forward to share their experience of betrayal, abuse of trust, and suffering. Their lives have been devastated and pierced with inexcusable pain. We need to lean in, listen, and learn.

Letter

Victims of abuse
Date posted: 1 Dec 2022

Dear Editor,

I was pleased to read the interview with Dr Diane Langberg (en November 2022). I admire the work that Dr Langberg has done and do not disagree with anything she said.

Abuse guide launch
www.challengingleaders.uk

A new resource on spiritual abuse and pastoral malpractice has just been launched at an event in Westminster Palace.

The book Challenging Leaders: Preventing and Investigating Allegations of Pastoral Malpractice is being produced by Affinity and is due to be published by Christian Focus Publications in March 2023.

‘We protect our systems more than our sheep’

‘We protect our systems more than our sheep’
Rebecca Chapman
Rebecca Chapman

Dr. Diane Langberg is a practicing psychologist whose clinical expertise includes 50 years of working with trauma survivors and clergy. She speaks internationally on topics related to women, trauma, ministry and the Christian life. She spoke to en during her recent visit to the UK.

RC: How did you get going on your journey, your calling?
DL: I think it’s important to know that in 1972 when I first started out, 50 years ago, trauma wasn’t a word – it was not a part of the diagnostic categories or a word we learned.

Bureaucracy or Bible?
safeguarding briefing

Bureaucracy or Bible?
Emma Lawson
Emma Lawson

You’ve got a safeguarding policy in your church. Great! Now what?

Occupying the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead/Coordinator/Officer can feel like a lonely job – one that no one else signed up for, so you thought you’d step up into the role. Being on the after-service refreshments rota was a literal cup of tea compared to safeguarding. Whoever signed up for the welcome roster had the right idea. Even cleaning up after crèche seemed less messy than the emotional, sensitive and potentially traumatic ordeal of dealing with concerns about vulnerable people.

Rethinking patronage to prevent abuse

Rethinking patronage to prevent abuse
Duncan Forbes

Duncan has previously very movingly shared his own experience of being abused (August 2021 en). This is a highly complex issue that has caused a great deal of suffering to many people. en continues to seek to provide a forum for us all to learn as broadly as possible from these sinful and shameful actions. Our foremost thoughts and prayers must be with the survivors and victims.

‘I like the things you write on Twitter but I can’t like them publicly because I’d lose my job.’

Abuse survivor bishop commends new resources; others express reservations
en staff

An abuse survivor who is now a bishop says new resources from the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) produced after recent scandals should ‘help churches engage’ with the issue.

Published in the wake of revelations about Jonathan Fletcher and Steve Timmis, the resources include a film, some ‘culture review questions’ and a ‘liturgy of lament’ – all of which can be found on the CEEC website.

ReNew: abuse & healthy church
ReNew

The annual conference of ReNew for conservative evangelicals in the Church of England has been held in-person again, after a virtual session last year due to the pandemic.

The event tackled issues of spiritual abuse following recent high-profile cases and the publication of the Thirtyone:eight report into Jonathan Fletcher’s time at Emmanuel, Wimbledon. It also focused on ‘establishing healthy churches’ – the theme for the gathering.

Abuse is serious; we need facts not polemic to fight it
David Robertson
David Robertson

The news from Australia made it all the way to the Church Times in the UK. And the headline was stark and clear – ‘Australia: Anglican women more likely to suffer domestic violence.’ (Church Times 18 June 2021).

Given that many people only read the headline, given that the report on which it was based was commissioned by the Anglican Church in Australia and given the ‘facts’ produced in the article – the implication was clear: those who are taught Biblical values are more likely to abuse and be abused.

A safe church is a transparent one

A safe church is a transparent one
Carl Chambers

Carl Chambers argues that victims of abuse have been failed by churches too easily covering things up

In 2015, Matthew Syed published a book called Black Box Thinking. He contrasts the culture of the airline industry with the health service in the US and UK.

Letter

Safeguarding, survivors and Biblical vigour

Date posted: 1 Jan 2021

Dear Editor,

Re The Learning Review commissioned by The Crowded House (en December).

How do church leaders become spiritual abusers?

How do church leaders become spiritual abusers?
John Benton

Spiritual abuse by church leaders can be deeply damaging to those who experience it. Some are ‘scarred for life’ by what happens to them.

A working definition of spiritual abuse would be something like this: ‘Spiritual abuse is a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is characterised by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in a religious context. This abuse may include manipulation and exploitation; enforced accountability, censorship of decision making, requirements for secrecy and silence, coercion to conform, control through the misuse of Scripture, requirements of obedience through a suggestion that the leadership has some kind of ‘divine’ position, isolation as a means of punishment, and superiority and elitism.’

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