While it is unfortunate there are not flashing lights or hazard signs in our church, there are warnings that communities can heed when navigating issues around known offenders.
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GRACE Board Member Victor Vieth shares ten lessons from Henry Gerecke on how to minister to adult sex offenders.
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No matter how much we think we might know about child molestation, people will continue to be easily fooled. Pastor Jimmy Hinton explains some of the barriers to understanding how abuse functions.
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As followers of Jesus, we are called to minister to everyone in church including sex offenders, but we should never do so in isolation from child protection professionals or in ignorance of the harm done to their victims. Simon Bass explains why.
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Something is wrong when churches protect perpetrators and marginalize victims. Mary DeMuth shares what happens when churches prefer predators, cover up sexual abuse, and demand victims forgive and forget.
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Offenders and their supporters use three common strategies to try and convince others to embrace their distorted definition of innocence. This article explains each tactic so you can better understand an abuse disclosure.
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How does a pastor respond when informed of allegations concerning child sexual abuse? All too often the responses by pastors are too little too late. Here is a simple rule that should be followed by pastors and everyone else: Immediately report allegations of child sexual abuse.
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In order to truly safeguard children, faith communities must recognize that activities involving children attract two kinds of people: those who love children and those who would prey on children. At any given point in time, we cannot be certain which of those two types is engaging with our children.
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New Gospel Outreach Church knowingly hired a convicted sex offender as their senior pastor, but they are not alone. pastor! Many churches and faith communities are increasingly faced with decisions related to sex offenders and disclosures of sexual abuse.
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