Developing Safe Church Policies

The Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada are committed to helping our churches provide safe and welcoming spaces for children, youth, vulnerable adults, and all who gather in our ministries. Abuse prevention is not only a legal and insurance matter—it is a gospel matter. By putting clear policies and practices in place, we protect the most vulnerable among us, support leaders and volunteers, and strengthen our witness in the community.

Why Every Church Needs a Policy

• Prevention: Reduce opportunities for abuse, neglect, or harm.
• Protection: Safeguard children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
• Reporting: Ensure clarity on when and how to report concerns or incidents.
• Training: Equip leaders and volunteers to serve with integrity and accountability.
• Insurance: Demonstrate to insurers and the wider community that your church takes safety seriously.
• Social media & Online Practices: Protect staff, volunteers, and participants by setting clear boundaries for digital communication, online photos and videos, and appropriate use of church platforms.

Questions Church Leaders Should Ask

• Do we currently have a written abuse prevention and response policy?
• Has it been reviewed or updated in the last year?
• Are our staff and volunteers carefully screened, trained, and aware of expectations?
• Do our facilities allow for safe supervision (classrooms, washrooms, meeting spaces, outdoor activities)?
• Do we have guidelines for digital communication, social media, and online ministry practices?
• Are there clear procedures for off-site events, transportation, or overnight activities?
• Do we have a clear plan of how to we respond if an allegation of abuse is made?
• Does our insurance coverage align with our policies and practices?

Next Steps for Churches

1. Develop or Update Your Policy – Adapt a sample policy for your church’s ministries. Review it annually.
2. Form a Safety & Protection Team – Assign leaders to implement and monitor safe church practices.
3. Screen and Train Leaders – Use background checks, references, interviews, and annual training.
4. Communicate Clearly – Ensure parents, congregants, and community groups know your church’s safety commitment.
5. Address Social Media & Online Practices – Include clear expectations around posting photos, livestreaming, texting, and direct messaging with minors or vulnerable adults.
6. Review Insurance Coverage – Confirm with your provider that your church has adequate protection.

Support Available

We know this can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone.

• CBAC Support: Contact Rev. Dan Pyke, Director of Youth & Family Ministries, for guidance and connection to resources.
• Insurance Support: About 90% of our churches are insured through Gallagher’s Baptist Church Insurance Program, which offers sample policies, training resources, and support. If your church is with another provider, contact them directly to confirm your coverage and access resources.

Together, we can ensure that our churches are safe places where trust is nurtured and the gospel is lived out with integrity.