LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

HEALTHY BOUNDARIES POLICY

5/23/10

Lafayette Christian Church endeavors to offer God's love, compassion, forgiveness and healing by nurturing and protecting all who enter its doors.

Being loving, compassionate and forgiving, following the example of Jesus, can be very difficult. It is especially difficult when there is a convicted sex offender or someone who exhibits inappropriate sexual behavior in our congregation. Because the consequences of that behavior can be so damaging to individuals, to the congregation as a whole, and to the offender, a clear written policy is necessary to guide the church when the situation arises. The goal of this policy is to provide a loving, compassionate and safe place for participants in our services and, if possible, provide loving and compassionate care to any person or persons, identified under “Who Is Covered” below, who wishes to be a part of our community.

WHO IS COVERED

Anyone who regularly attends church functions and who:

A. Is a Registered Sex Offender on Megan's list at www.meganslaw.ca.gov.

B. Has been convicted of a sex crime. These are public records and available in the County in which the offense occurred.

C. Exhibits inappropriate sexual/affectional behavior by a concrete sexual act, conversation containing sexual innuendos, touching/hugging in a way that is perceived as predatory or any other behavior that is perceived as predatory.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE

A. The Board Chair, in consultation with the Pastor, will appoint a Healthy Boundaries Committee of four members representing a cross section of the congregation. No fewer than two will be parents whose children participate in church activities. The appointments will be confirmed by the Board. The Pastor is an ex-officio member of the Committee and will attend its meetings.

   1. Members will serve for three years, In the first year four will be appointed, one with a one year term, one with a two year term, and two with a three year term. Their terms will begin on July 1 and end on June 30 of the appropriate year.     

   2. They will annually select their chair.

   3.They will annually file a written report to the Board.

   4. They will receive and act on all complaints of sexual improprieties.

   5.They will stay current with the thinking and knowledge in this area, maintaining a file of materials that is useful for them and others.

   6. They will provide forums for education and healing around these issues, including workshops for Christian Education workers and children, at least every two years.

   7.They will meet as needed to conduct business and will also meet annually to assess and plan their activities and familiarize new members with their procedure.

   8. If a complaint is about one of the Committee members, that member will be recused.

   9. They will at the beginning of each church year communicate to the congregation in the church newsletter or by separate communication the aim and purposes of the Committee, the members, and how to contact the Committee.

REPORTING

A. Megan's law database will be reviewed quarterly by the Healthy Boundaries Committee. The Committee will maintain a written record of each date of review, the name of the reviewer, and the name of anyone on the list who participates in church functions. That person will be subject to the process outlined below.

B. Anyone who regularly attends church functions is strongly encouraged to inform the Healthy Boundaries Committee when:

   1. They are aware that a sex offender is in attendance;

   2. They have been the object of inappropriate sexual behavior;

   3. They are aware of inappropriate sexual behavior by a participant in church functions.

C. Unless circumstances mandate a different response, initial reporting will be held in complete confidentiality.

PROCESS

A. When the allegation of perceived inappropriate sexual behavior is received by the Committee:

1. They will determine the seriousness of the allegation by whatever informal means are

    appropriate. After determining that intervention is necessary the Pastor and one or more

    members will meet with the perceived offender for an informal discussion. If appropriate,

    others, such as the perceiver and the perceiver’s companion, or a companion of the perceived

    offender, may attend. The  purpose of the meeting, which is confidential, is to have a full,      

   frank, and non threatening discussion.

   2. If the perceived offender wishes to continue to participate in church functions the Committee will decide how to proceed. If they decide to proceed informally, they will institute and oversee a plan to modify the behavior of the offender. If the behavior warrants the perceived offender being treated as a sex offender, they will institute the process as set inparagraphs B and C.

B. When the person is a registered or convicted sex offender they will meet with the Committee. The purpose of the meeting is to determine whether or not the person wishes to continue to participate in church functions and if so whether they are willing to enter into a covenant with the church, which will  specifically, and in great detail restrict their church activities.

   1. If they do not wish to continue in the church a letter will be written to them affirming this and the church's acceptance of their decision.

   2. If they wish to continue in the church they will be informed that the matter will be referred to the Board, with the Committee's recommendation, for discussion and decision as to whether or not the church is able to enter into a covenant with the person.

C. The Board will facilitate a full, frank and careful discussion, which can include meetings of the congregation.

   1. On deciding to enter into a covenant they will refer the matter to the Committee and the person will then enter into a covenant of behavior which will be designed to maintain Lafayette Christian Church as a safe place and to reduce temptation to the offender. Generalized covenant provisions are listed in the attached addendum which may be selected and used as appropriate. Any other provision necessary for the protection of the congregation and the good of the offender should be included. The Committee will inform the congregation that a covenant has been entered into and that it is available for review.

   2. On deciding that they are unable to enter into a covenant they will inform the person by letter which will include: their reasons for the decision; their regret at not being able to do so; that the person is excluded from all church functions; and any other relevant words.

D. Any person in this process who is not continuing to participate in church functions is not precluded from requesting, at some future time, that they be accepted into the church.

E. Keeping personal matters confidential is necessary in church life. However, in sex offender situations, others have a “need to know”. That may range from the congregation as a whole, to families with children, to the Board. The offender needs to understand that much of his/her life will be necessarily shared with those who have a “need to know”.