Core Value: Safe
January 4, 2008
We prayerfully seek to provide a safe environment in which the vulnerable can grow in the faith and in which the hurting and abused can experience God’s love and healing.
As we begin 2008 I am eager to use the first three articles of the new year to finish the series I started on our church’s core values. The reason a “safe environment” is core to our vision at WABC is because it is core to the heart of God throughout the Bible. The Old Testament prophetic books are permeated with indictments against those who exploit the poor and voiceless (see Micah 2-3 for an example). Jesus had words about a millstone and drowning for those who cause little ones to sin (Matthew 18:6).
On the positive flip side, the perfected kingdom will be a safe place. Isaiah describes the reign of Israel’s coming King in this way: “The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:8-9; see the broader context in 11:1-9).
While we cannot yet ensure our babies’ safety around diamondbacks, we are to ensure that our children grow up in a church environment where they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe. From a very practical standpoint, this means that we have certain policies in place for those working with minors. The annual training required for these workers helps them keep their antennae up for predators who would take advantage of the vulnerable in our church family. We do all we can and trust God for the effectiveness of such measures to prevent abuse.
The reality remains, however, that many in our congregation have already suffered verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, or spiritual abuse. Healing from such abuse requires that we create an atmosphere where we can think, pray, cry, discuss, and question our way through such experiences without having to arrive at a tidy conclusion by the end of the day. It also requires an atmosphere where those who have walked through similar trials share God’s work of redemption in their lives, with all its struggles and victories.
Ultimately, as is the case with our other core values, the environment we aim for will only be created as we keep the gospel of the kingdom at the heart of everything we do. Without the assurance that God’s reign will, at Jesus’ return, create an eternally safe place, our efforts are in vain. Without the wrath-bearing cross and life-giving resurrection of Jesus, there is no hope that sinned-against sinners will be redeemed. But Christ has died, he has risen, and he is coming to set all things to right. This is the good news that empowers us to find healing and pursue safe community now.
Laboring with you to protect the flock,
Pastor Chris