Safe Church Course
Abuse Prevention & Response
FALL 2026 COHORT
September 1 - October 20
This eight-week leadership course equips ministry leaders to confront abuse with clarity, theological grounding, and practical skill. Participants learn the core dynamics of abuse in church contexts, explore the Bible’s teaching on power and vulnerability, and learn concrete strategies for prevention, response, survivor care, reporting, and managing known offenders. The course emphasizes culture change, trauma-informed leadership, and policies that make churches safer and more accountable.
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This course is for all who want to see safer churches including ministry leaders, advocates, survivors, and lay persons. Anyone can sign up and receive high level instruction to make a difference whatever your role.
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This course meets virtually on Thursday evenings for 3 hours each week, from 7-10pm ET.
The Fall 2026 cohort will meet September 1, September 8, September 15, September 22, September 29, October 6, October 13, & October 20.
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The course is eight consecutive weeks (unless there is a holiday). It meets one night per week for 3 hours on Zoom (2.5 hours of instruction, followed by 30 min of Q&A).
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The course covers the most critical issues in understanding abuse in the church and what it takes to make churches safer for the vulnerable. The course covers all major forms of abuse that impact both adults and children. See the detailed week by week outline for more information.
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Each week requires around 3 hours of course work. The course work is designed to reinforce the learning objectives of the course. It is graded on a completion basis and all course work must be completed to earn the training certificate.
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The training certificate shows you have been trained by leaders in the field. Participants must attend at least 6 of the 8 classes in person, and make up any that are missed by watching the recording and submitting an additional assignment. Participants must keep their camera on during the course, participate in interactive discussions, and submit all assignments. Participants must also fully pay for the course before receiving their training certificate.
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The cost for the 8 week online course is $699 if paid in full. A payment plan of $79 per month for 10 months is also available by request. Please email Zane@netgrace.org for more information.
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The course instructors are GRACE staff and Board members who are leaders in the field of abuse prevention and response.
Learning Objectives:
Recognize key forms, dynamics, and indicators of abuse in church settings.
Apply biblical and theological principles to power, vulnerability, and accountability.
Lead prevention efforts that strengthen culture and interrupt grooming.
Respond to disclosures and survivor needs with trauma-informed practices.
Implement effective reporting and accountability frameworks, including for known offenders.
FAQs
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September 1 - October 20
8-Weeks to a Safer Community
“This course has had a profound healing impact on me in ways that will stay with me forever… After taking this course, my understanding of the heart of God concerning his love and care for the vulnerable and abused has deepened and widened tremendously. It will take me time to go through all the material extensively, but I know that as I do, the impact will be multiplied. I was not expecting this course to be as personally transformative as it has been. It has compelled me even more to share this information with my local church and community. Most importantly, through this course, I know Jesus better and have experienced more of his healing through his love, which I see clearly spelled out in scripture. Thank you to GRACE for creating this course and making it available to the public. I am forever grateful!”
— Rosie, Spring ‘26 Cohort
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Week by Week Course Summary
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Definitions and Prevalence of Abuse
Common Dynamics of Abuse
Recognition Scenarios - Child, IPV, Clergy/Emotional and Spiritual Abuse, Elder Abuse
Problematic Sexual Behavior in Minors
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God’s Heart for the Vulnerable and Oppressed
Jesus’s Teaching on Abuse
Power and Accountability in the Bible
Abuse in the Bible: Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Clergy Abuse, Spiritual Abuse, Elder Abuse
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Grounding Safe Policies and Practices in Christian Faith
Resisting Institutional Protection and Risk Management
How Prevention Works: Deterrence, Interruption, Stopping Further Abuse
Effective Education: Training and Safety Talks
Leadership Structures and Culture to Interrupt Grooming
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Impact of Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Clergy/Spiritual Abuse
Spirituality as a Source of Resiliency
Skills for Responding to Abuse Disclosures in Minors and Adults
Understanding Trauma: Dysregulation, 3 E’s, 6 Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
Toward More Trauma-Informed Communities
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Basic Offender Dynamics: Intentionality, Distortions, and Demographics
Defining Sexual Grooming
Grooming Recognition Scenarios
“DARVO” as an Offender Tactic
Accountability and Forgiveness with Offenders
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Common Policy Gaps and Policy Essentials
Making Policies Accessible to All
Implementing Effective Policies
Effective Training and Safeguarding Plans
Responding to Policy and Boundary Violations: Common Examples
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Reporting Child and Vulnerable Adult Abuse
Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse Laws
Responding to Adult Abuse: Safety and Supporting Survivors in Reporting
Leadership Framework for Response for Adult and Child Abuse
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Common Mistakes Churches Make with Known Offenders
Pastoral Ministry to Known Offenders
Policy Best Practices for Evaluating an Offender’s Potential Participation
Implementing an Effective Plan for Accountability
Onetime Payment
$699.00
This unique course offers 8-weeks of live, virtual training with GRACE safeguarding experts plus access to articles, resources, and additional content to guide your continued education!
✓ Over 20 hours of live training
✓ Small, cohort style learning
✓ Comprehensive overview of best practices for abuse prevention & response