Our CM Policies are unknown
Your Question:
“We have some policies, but the CM team members, and parents, don’t know about them. How can we make our policies more obvious and well-known?”
The Issues:
Policies and procedures must be known in order for them to be useful. We minister in a very visual society. People judge the value of something by how it looks. Making your CM policies “visible” is a critical part in letting the parents and CM team members feel safe. Making your policies and procedures “visible” involves announcements in the worship service, posters on the CM walls, articles in the bulletin and newsletter, written and verbal communications during CM training, and flyers handed out to parents. Any or all of those techniques can cause “political” challenges. You may need to “take the hit” for the children by pushing to get your policies “visible” in these areas.
Scripture Foundation:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16
Short Answer:
There are times when “protection” is better not seen (undercover police, concealed weapons, etc.), but safety policies and procedures should never be hidden! The very existence of safety policies and procedures is to let everyone know that the CM is committed to protecting children. Child predators may visit your church to see if they can gain access to children. If they see visible signs of your protection of the children (posters on the wall, restricted access areas, etc.) they will move on to another church. Parents are looking for visible signs of your commitment to protecting their children. If they don’t sense that their children will be protected in the CM, they may take their children to another church. The volunteers on your CM team will not continue serving in the CM if they don’t feel protected by the policies and procedures. Your efforts in making your policies and procedures very public will benefit the entire CM and church! For more help, click on the links below.
