Episode 8: Protection Policies & Ministry to Abuse Survivors (Chelsea Erickson)

Child Protection Policies, mandated reporting, and ministry to abuse survivors. These are difficult and sometime uncomfortable to talk about - but youth workers need to be informed and ready to protect, defend, and care for the students in their care. 

In this episode, we're joined by Chelsea Erickson, the Pastor of Youth and Families at First Congregational Church in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Questions and issues discussed are:

• What is a Child Protection Policy and why is it important for churches to have one in place? 
• What are some common objections you’ve heard to these, and how do you counter those? 
• What are some ways you’ve seen healthy guidelines change in the time you’ve been serving in youth ministry? 
• Why is it biblically and theologically important for youth workers to take physical and sexual abuse seriously? 
• When a student shares about an incident that should be reported, how do you provide pastoral care for them and their family in the days and weeks following the formal report? 
• What does the gospel say to abuse survivors? 

Recommended Resources Mentioned

• Ministry Safe
• Protect My Ministry

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