A child sex offender at your church? May 13, 2007
Posted by David in Child protection, Childrens ministry, church-kids.trackback
Jim Walton at Church Tech Matters, asks some important questions on how the church deals with a child sex offender in their congregation. He draw a distinction between: those aiming to offend and what the church should do to prevent that; and a former, reformed offender who is trying to put their former life behind them.
The man is open about the crimes he committed, he spoke to the congregation and shared some specific details of his past and is now wanting to be part of this church family. The crimes he was convicted of both involved children directly and one happened nearly 10 years ago and the other nearly 25 years ago.
On one hand, I would absolutely let him join the church and grow and serve and learn with the rest of us, and he would not be allowed to interact with the children at any level ever. However, what happens when he ends up alone in a bathroom with a boy or happens to be anywhere in the church and a child happens to walk in?
Jim suggests that churches should have a policy in place before something like this happens, so that the church can be ready to deal with it.
Doesn’t god forgive sinners who repent?
Who is to say that the person you sit next to in church is isn’t a burgular, murderer, theif, pervert? surley if they admit to their sins they are willing to change? are even asking for help?
Jesus embraced sinners, we as the congregation are charged with sharing gods message, his love and our faith so that people can change, learn and join gods family.
I know someone who was a regular church attender and is now on the sex offenders list, he never admitted his sin, and no one could guess by looking at him that he wasn’t a devout christian. These people are free to commit this crime again I have no control over them.
However my children are aware that some people are different and confused by their sexuality, they have been told what unusual behaviour to look out for, to say no, walk away and have been encouraged to report any uncomfortable situations to me so that we can discuss how to manage the problem.
I feel that everone should be welcomed to our churches and we are not here to judge them. Our faith in god should allow him to do this.
Thanks Carole for the comment.
I totally agree with you, but that is not to say that churches should not be prepared to deal with these situations before they occur.
Private schools do not do enough to look into the backgrounds of the people they hire. It has been my experience to witness first hand how a little 4 year old girl was molestation by the Vice Principal on school grounds, and how it was covered up. Someone needs to do some investigating. By someone, I don’t mean the police. They pass the buck and give the “that’s not in my jurisdiction” excuse. Parents need to come together and address this issue. Private schools also “pass the trash”, and it’s our job as parents and teachers to ask questions of our children, and give them a forum to speak freely. Many children have been hurt and have no place to vent their fears and/or confusion and hopefully never keep secret their injuries.