Our society has grown increasingly dangerous. We live in an age where we can no longer assume the church to be free from sexual deviants and predators. We must be pro-active in securing our churches as safe places for families, teens and children. This does not happen automatically but now there is help. SafeNet Certification © is a one of a kind process designed to create a safe environment for ministry - to the congregation as well as the community to which we are called.
Skip SafeNET and Go emmediatly to Background Checks system
The three companies that insure the majority of Protestant churches in America say they typically receive upward of 260 reports each year of young people under 18 being sexually abused by clergy, church staff, volunteers or congregation members. Associated Press, June 2007
I cannot thank you enough for providing this assistance. We have experienced leadership abuse in our mainline denominational church. We thought the staff and workers were providing a safe, protected environment, but they were not. We moved our church membership to a church that was proactive in protecting our children from those that would prey on them. Sadly, as our children became adults, they chose not to attend church anymore. Concerned parent of youth
2007 Southen Baptist Convention Resolution (edited for length)
WHEREAS, Violent physical and sexual crimes against children have reached alarming levels in our nation, … and WHEREAS, This abuse has occurred too often in churches and homes - which ought to be places of shelter and safety-and it has happened at the hands of family, educators, ordained ministers, and ministry workers - who ought to be trusted persons of authority; … we encouraged religious bodies to rid their ranks of predatory ministers; and be it further RESOLVED, That we implore Southern Baptist churches to use relevant resources that help prevent child abuse; and . . . we urge all SBC churches to exercise moral stewardship by observing responsible employment practices, including performing criminal background checks on all ministers, employees, and volunteers.
It’s like not having insurance coverage for a hurricane yet knowing that hurricane season has suddenly become year-round with a significant increase in the number of new hurricanes spotted. Southern Baptist Minister
DONT WAIT, START THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS TODAY!!!
(Online Booking Form)
OVERVIEW
SafeNet exists as an extension of SME in order to help the local church decrease it’s vulnerability, protect the innocent and promote awareness against child/teen sexual exploitation.
Objectives:
To assist the local church in achieving a step by step certification as a SafeNet ministry.
To assist ministries in achieving, confirming and declaring their ministry environment as being free from the elements that lead to abuse and unreported misconduct.
To provide training for children and youth ministries that raise awareness while bringing policies and guidelines into certification compliance.
To provide ministries the opportunity to be proactive towards protecting the innocent and decreasing church vulnerability to sexual exploitation.
This one of a kind 12 Steps SafeNet Certification© affords you the assistance you need to secure your church with verifiable anit-preditory strategies. This is a (30 - 120 day process)
Note: Churches that have Licensed Child Care facilities, Day Care or After School programs for children are regulated by the state. SafeNet Certification does not satisfy the licensing requirements of the Department of Children and Families Services for these type ministries.
Director’s Bio:
BS Criminal Justice, William Carey University
MARE, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
27 years experience in Student Ministry developing preventive strategies against teen sexual exploitation.
Adjunct professor: The Baptist College of Florida, Youth Ministry Courses
Certified in WAIT (Filtering Skills Development Course)
Cost of Certification
The cost of certification varies according to the size of your congregation.
An initial deposit of $500 is due within two weeks of booking.
A balance check is due at time of final certification.
If a church discontinues the process prior to achieving certification, ½ of the balance will be due.
Sliding Scale Fees (plus expenses)
Smaller church (less than 150 members) …..…$1,500.00
Medium church (151-500 members) …….….... $1,750.00
Large church (501-1000 members) ………....... $2,500.00
Larger church (over 1000 members) ……...….. $3,500.00
Certification is recognized for a period of one year. Re-Certification is recommended annually. The price for re-certification is 25% less than the original price. After a church has achieved certification, it may be re-certified at the discount for two subsequent years.
The third year would default to the current rate and membership size.
Booking/Agreement Form
© All rights reserved/Federal Copyright pending/Student Ministry Essentials 2007
No portion of this document or certidication process may be used, duplicated, transmitted, copied or altered or adapted except for SafeNet Certification with written permission from smeonline.net. 501 (C) 3 non-profit ministry organization
