Stop, Drop and Roll

One of our values in children's ministry is SAFETY! Why do we want safety as a value?

1. To protect the children in our ministry.
2. To protect the volunteers in our church.
3. To protect the church.

How and where do we start?

1. Pray

2. Evaluate

• Where are you weak? Can just anyone enter the children's area, or do you have a secured children's area?
• Where are you strong? Do you already have a number system in place so kids and parents numbers match for pick up?

3. Investigate

• Network with other churches! What are they doing that works? Never be afraid to ask other children's pastors, we are talking Big C church stuff here!!

4. Communicate

• Leadership - make sure your leadership knows the why behind the plan. Create a plan and get it "approved" before you move on.
• Parents - don't forget to communicate to parents! Parents want to make sure their children are safe, let them know the steps you take and they will be your biggest supporters!!

5. Initiate

• Put your plan in action. You will have people (volunteers and parents) who did not engage in the preplan conversation, be prepared to have a couple of one on ones with them, it will be time WELL spent!

When it comes to safety, there are plenty of examples out there to give us reason to take action. We need to be proactive in the church, not reactive because something has happened. The following quote really spurs me on to always evaluate and reevaluate our security procedures;

"We react when we are forced out of neutrality. We act when we refuse to stay there. If there is one secret to seizing divine moments, it is that you must take initiative." - Erwin Raphael McManus

Why "Stop, Drop & Roll" you ask? My clever and intelligent daughter came up with the title, she said parents should stop at church, drop off their kids and roll into service!! Amen!