SR September 2015
21
The following Resolution was passed at General
Conference 2015. Because of the importance of this
Resolution and the issues surrounding it, we are
printing it in its entirety here. Please be on the
lookout for more information about this in the
coming months.
Resolution on Child Protection
Whereas
our Lord Jesus demonstrated his righteous
anger at his own disciples, rebuking those who would
do anything to prevent children from coming unto him,
saying “to such belongs the Kingdom of God,” (Mark
10:14) and condemning those who would harm children,
saying “it would be better for him to have a great mill-
stone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in
the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6); and
Whereas
an epidemic of child abuse exists in our culture,
with the vast majority of such children being harmed
by someone they know and trust, wounding children
physically, emotionally, psychologically, sexually, and
spiritually with lifelong ripple effects; and
Whereas
the silence of the church — when we fail to
appropriately address sin by not reporting disclosures
of child abuse, or not caring for those who disclose child
abuse, or not proactively taking steps to prevent child
abuse — is a fundamental failure of servant leadership,
rendering the church complicit and culpable before the
Lord, driving people away from the safety, healing and
hope of Jesus Christ; and
Whereas
Scripture warns leaders against the careless
exposure of believers to temptation and danger, and
every jurisdiction acknowledges that child abuse is a
serious felony and has its own mandated reporting
laws;
Therefore, be it resolved
that we exhort all member
churches to become informed and to take an active
stance toward preventing child abuse in the church by
screening staff and volunteers, training them in child
protection, and actively maintaining child protection
policies pertaining to our obligations to love our children
and protect their rightful interests as God’s image-bearers
from the devastating actions of abusers (Matthew 18:5-6);
and
Be it further resolved
that we remind all member
churches that the heinous crime of child abuse must be
reported to duly appointed proper representatives of the
God-ordained civil authorities, in accordance with local
laws, and that we must cooperate with those authorities
as they “bear the sword” to punish those who do evil.
(Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14); and
Be it further resolved
that we urge all member church
leaders to use their influence for the protection of children,
by any and all godly means, including preaching and
teaching against the heinous sin of child abuse, warning
anyone with knowledge of these sins to “take no part in
the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose
them” (Ephesians 5:11), and by supporting victims who
often suffer in silence and shame without the vocal and
compassionate support of the church; and by supporting
the families of the victims; and
Be it further resolved
that we urge all member churches
to seek to bring reconciliation between all parties in-
volved (2 Corinthians 5:18-21), and restoration of the
perpetrator, based upon their repentance, that they
would know that there is forgiveness and freedom from
their bondage to such sin as given by God (1 John 1:9);
and
Be it further resolved
that we recommend that the
General Council examine every possibility to protect
children at our annual General Conference sessions
and implement any measure that seems prudent and
appropriate and to do so in consultation with legal and
insurance professionals; and
Be it finally resolved
that the SDB General Conference
urge all Seventh Day Baptists to renew our allegiance to
our Lord Jesus by loving our children as He loves our
children, “for to such belongs the Kingdom of God”
(Mark 10:14)
Christian Education Council
Rev. Nicholas J. Kersten
Director of Education and History
Resolution on Child Protection
SR
