Synod 2008 encouraged Christian Reformed churches to hold at least one hour of abuse-prevention training each year.
“It’s a small step in the right direction,” said Rev. Ed Visser, Classis Quinte.
Female adviser Kathy Vandergrift urged synod to do more. “I think it’s time to raise some kind of accountability that churches actually do take these steps, because otherwise they become empty promises,” she said.
Synod was presented with a lengthy report from the Abuse Victim Task Force that was established in 2006. Although it noted that the report was excellent and in-depth, synod decided that it had not been available long enough for church councils, safe church teams, and others to adequately study it.
After further refinement and clarification, it will be presented to Synod 2010.
Of the 1,057 Christian Reformed churches in North America, 552 have adopted a child-safety policy, according to Beth Swagman, director of Abuse Prevention for the denomination.
About the Authors
Roxanne VanFarowe is a freelance writer who claims both Canadian and American citizenship and grew up in the Christian Reformed Church. She is a member of Blacknall Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina.
Chris Meehan is a freelance writer and commissioned pastor at Coit Community Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.
