What are churches doing to stop predators in the church?

[Thomas_muntzer]

The Truth About My Grandfather Harold Herr

Wow, I'm shocked reading your story. First, let me congratulate you on your bravery and courage. It's very difficult to talk about these things, even after so much time has passed. I find truth in your words; it's absurd that your grandfather was removed from the ministry because his wife divorced him and not because of the documented cases of CSA. When Jesus tells us that the truth will set us free, he's not only referring to his message but also to these kinds of situations that are so difficult and painful to talk about.

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea."
Matthew 18:6

[ohio jones]

Funny, in many situations folks ask “what would Jesus do?” Or are there explicit teachings on this.
I endorse millstones.

You're endorsing a lighter punishment than Jesus will mete out?

[JohnH]

The state cannot set criteria for our ministry, or we would disobey out of conviction.

Sure they can. You either agree to be a mandatory reporter, or else you're in violation of the law.

The state considers you a mandatory reporter, unilaterally, regardless of our agreement. Those policies have only minimal impact on how we function. If a situation came to our attention that would need reporting under current law, it would be reported, law or not.

Was that the case before the current laws were passed? (No.)

Trying to handle stuff like this internally is how the historic situations happened in the first place.

I never said to "handle it internally"; indeed, I don't really think ministers should be conducting investigations like mini-cops.

So, since you would decline to report, least you become an “agent of the state “ I am justified in saying churches that take that position are unsafe?

I have never said I would "decline to report", nor have I said I am willing to break my own state's mandatory reporter laws. I haven't been a mandatory reporter since I was one in California, though.

Please do not put words in my mouth or cast aspersions on me like that.

[Valerie]

It’s like the Lord dropped it in my mind-

Door of Hope Ministry/ Counseling

There IS Hope for healing and restoration for victims.
Jesus
I personally know of two men (one I know well, the other is a pastor who shared “a little”) . Both of these men had been abused but found healing in Christ & forgave because it was freeing to.

Anyone hear of Door of Hope?

https://www.doorofhopeministry.com/

Jesus can make beauty from ashes, He really can.

[JimFoxvog]

One church I was part of almost fell apart because of an elder abusing boys. Some forgave and still held him in high regard, not wanting to be public about the situation, while others thought the story should be told. The resulting lack of trust led to continuing tensions for decades.

Two of the children of one of my friends have been reported with almost certainly false accusations of abuse. The authorities found no evidence to proceed against either, but the investigations were painful to those involved. Both of these people no longer go to church, primarily because of these events.

Reporting without good evidence has serious spiritual consequences.

To stop predators, my current congregation has locked closet doors, keeps doors to children's meetings open, has mandatory training, and requires two adults be in a children's class.

[JohnH]

Anyone hear of Door of Hope?

https://www.doorofhopeministry.com/

Jesus can make beauty from ashes, He really can.

There are numerous of these type of "ministries" that offer some kind of counselling, and often push some kind of doctrinal view as well.

Some of them seem OK and some are starting to get a pretty poor reputation. There are significant swathes of plain people who only want their members to go to secular counsellors / psychiatrists instead of going to these sort of programmes. One reason amongst a group of Amish was in a setting where a few people were on the boards or otherwise controlled/profited from one of these centres, and then compelled basically everyone to go to it. These centres are very expensive, too, hence the concern over it.

[Valerie]

Anyone hear of Door of Hope?

https://www.doorofhopeministry.com/

Jesus can make beauty from ashes, He really can.

There are numerous of these type of "ministries" that offer some kind of counselling, and often push some kind of doctrinal view as well.

Some of them seem OK and some are starting to get a pretty poor reputation. There are significant swathes of plain people who only want their members to go to secular counsellors / psychiatrists instead of going to these sort of programmes. One reason amongst a group of Amish was in a setting where a few people were on the boards or otherwise controlled/profited from one of these centres, and then compelled basically everyone to go to it. These centres are very expensive, too, hence the concern over it.

Interesting the case of KrisKramer he has lost faith that God exists because God allowed this to happen. He lost faith in people because they allowed it to continue. He lost faith in churches for being in denial and putting such harmful behavior below other priorities. How do plain people then help such a hurting & damaged soul?
I have heard good things about Door of Hope. These counselors do it full time and it costs to keep it going. I would think Churches would pay as a way of helping heal & restore a soul also damaged by the church not just the predator as they are partly responsible.

[ken_sylvania]

The state cannot set criteria for our ministry, or we would disobey out of conviction.

Sure they can. You either agree to be a mandatory reporter, or else you're in violation of the law.

That is false.

[Southerner]

Interesting the case of KrisKramer he has lost faith that God exists because God allowed this to happen. He lost faith in people because they allowed it to continue. He lost faith in churches for being in denial and putting such harmful behavior below other priorities. How do plain people then help such a hurting & damaged soul?
I have heard good things about Door of Hope. These counselors do it full time and it costs to keep it going. I would think Churches would pay as a way of helping heal & restore a soul also damaged by the church not just the predator as they are partly responsible.

I didn't bother to look up your Door of Hope link and I will reiterate what JohnH posted...get to a good cognitive behavioral therapist and forget the half baked programs like Whispering Hope, Wilderness camps, etc where no one has professional training. I went to a therapist for 15 years...these situations take a lot of time to heal and to this day I don't ready my Bible on a personal level...only at Sunday meeting. And after my incident, I had a lot of questions for God... People like Harold Herr are living hells and to this day, I am wary of Plain men who want to pass candy to my children. A good therapist is worth the $100 per session...emphasis on "good". There are counselors out there who shouldn't be practicing.

[JohnH]

Interesting the case of KrisKramer he has lost faith that God exists because God allowed this to happen. He lost faith in people because they allowed it to continue. He lost faith in churches for being in denial and putting such harmful behavior below other priorities. How do plain people then help such a hurting & damaged soul?

I have heard good things about Door of Hope. These counselors do it full time and it costs to keep it going. I would think Churches would pay as a way of helping heal & restore a soul also damaged by the church not just the predator as they are partly responsible.

I have heard bad things about Door of Hope specifically, and bad things about many of these other ministries that have popped up. A handful I would have good things to say, such as SpringHaven, or Mother's Hope which is specifically for women having postpartum depression.

I have personally advised people to seek an independent counsellor / therapist / psychiatrist. A good professional will respect someone's faith (or lack of faith) and try to help them resolve whatever their problems are. (SpringHaven is much closer to this model.)