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THREAD: As I finish my crisis preparedness in Baptist higher education dissertation I’ve had these thoughts concerning the SBC sexual abuse crisis (because this is a crisis):
The DOJ says, “Over their lifetime 18% of women & 2% of men in America will be raped, while 44% of women & 23% of men will experience some other form of sexual violence.” This means there ARE people in the pews who are either currently being or have been sexual abused.
As Baptists we believe & preach the realities of sin, but it seems we are caught off-guard by the effects of sin.
Here are 5 steps my studies show that ministries can take in being prepared for when (not if) crisis occurs:
1) Think about the 'unthinkable.' Youth pastors abusing a child is unthinkable - but it happens. Ministries need to think through these things before they happen & what to do when they happen. Don’t be caught flat footed. Be prepared for the sin that's in you & your congregation.
Simple action points: Ask screening questions during the interview process for all staff members & volunteers. Be aware of awkward interactions & specific interests. Look for problems in the church structure or system that may allow for crisis later.
2) Set up a crisis budget: sin affects more than just the abuser & victim. Your ministry may need to financially care for the victim. It may also need to care for the abuser’s family. This is not simply a benevolence fund, it is a fund specifically for survivor care.
Additionally, budget for background checks. Find two sources to use for background checks & use both of them for every leader, staff & volunteer (no matter the length of time).
Simple action points: Discuss w/ church leadership at the next meeting a monthly percentage to be set aside for survivor care & background checks. Find area counselors & ask them to help when something does arise - be preemptive in this. Find 2 background check services.
3) Write down the steps of a response plan. Do this before a crisis occurs so that when it does, you’ve already done the work of thinking clearly. Each plan should have 3 steps: Pre-crisis, Crisis & Post-crisis.
Each of these 3 steps has sub-points (DM me for them). But it should be noted that any sexual abuse that involves a minor is a mandatory report. There's no clergy safety. If you fail to report you could be charged alongside the abuser. Do the right thing: report.
Simple action points: Create a list. Begin a relationship with local law enforcement. Report, report, report.
4) If this did happen in your church, seek to find out how. Part of crisis-preparedness is post-crisis analysis. This is not fun. Sexual predators seek out systems in which to survive. How should the system change to not allow for survival?
Simple action steps: examine systems & policies currently in place (this may require a third-party coming in to help). How/why could the crisis have been avoided? How/why could the crisis have been handled better?
5) Take your learning from above & put it into action. Learning is only effective if used. Because of sin, crises will continue to happen, but because of grace we can respond helpfully to them & even work to avoid them.
Simple action points: What policies/structures need to be changed? How can this crisis type, & others like it, be seen & dealt with before they happen?
Crisis preparedness is not reactionary because crises are not planned. Crises are crises because they explode seemingly out of nowhere. But every crises, like a hurricane, has tell-tale signs which, if seen & listened to, can lead to crisis prevention.
How we deal with the sin among us is a picture of our commitment to Jesus. If we believe that sin is real, then we should be prepared for the effects of sin.
Crisis preparedness is not just about public relations or risk management. It's about caring for your people as their pastor, do not be a negligent shepherd allowing wolves to gorge on the innocent in your care.
