The United Methodist Church has in place guidance to help le

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Cross in the Desert United Methodist Church

Safer Sanctuaries Guidelines

Effective Date: October 3, 2010 

Revised 01/27/2026

As Christians and United Methodists, we are concerned for the care and well-being of the children, youth and vulnerable adults in our care. It is critical that we model best practices for the care and protection of these persons in our meetings and events. In order to do so, we will operate with the following guidelines for their health and safety while participating in programs and meetings of Cross in the Desert United Methodist Church.

The goal of these guidelines are:

· To prevent abuse from happening to the children, youth and vulnerable adults in our care

· To prevent false allegations of abuse against individuals and the church

· To enable staff and volunteers to recognize and report suspected abuse

· To recognize and prevent bullying within our church community

There is no one thing that we can do to prevent the abuse of the children, youth and vulnerable adults in our care. A multi-pronged approach that includes training and continual practice will provide the best results.

Definitions:

Child/Youth: An individual between the ages of 0-17 years of age.

Vulnerable Adult: A.R.S. § 46-451(A)(10): ….. an individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a physical or mental impairment. Vulnerable adult includes an incapacitated person as defined in section 14-5101."Incapacitated person" means any person who is impaired by reason of mental illness, mental deficiency, mental disorder, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs, chronic intoxication or other cause, except minority, to the extent that he lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning his person.  

Definition of Bullying: Persistent threatening and aggressive physical behavior or verbal abuse directed toward other people, especially those who are younger, smaller, weaker, or in some other situation of relative disadvantage. Cyberbullying is verbally threatening or harassing behavior conducted through such electronic technology as cell phones, e-mail, and text messaging. (American Psychological Association)

1. Group of Three Rules

Guidelines: A child, youth or vulnerable adult should not be alone with another unrelated adult, child or youth at any time for any reason. Everything should be done in groups of at least three: a. at least three adults, when one or more meet the definition of a vulnerable adult; b. at least two adults who are not considered vulnerable, and a young person; or, c. two young people and an adult who is not considered vulnerable. The church is encouraged to strive for a standard of requiring at least two unrelated non-vulnerable adults to be with children or youth at all times.

Counseling situations should be managed in a manner that provides privacy of conversation but, if at all possible, visual contact with others. An office with a window into other populated offices areas is one option; sitting in an outside area at the edge of a field or building where you may be seen but not heard is another option. At the very least, a door should be left ajar where a yell or struggle could be heard by others.

Youth leaders, teachers, volunteers, and clergy should not be in a vehicle alone with a youth or vulnerable adult when providing transportation as part of an official church activity. Any volunteers transporting youth or vulnerable adults should try to arrange their trips so that the first they pick up and the last they drop off are two youth or vulnerable adults rather than one. 

At meetings, plans should be made to prevent one youth or vulnerable adult from being alone with an adult as participants leave. If it is impossible for a second adult to be present, request that another person and their ride wait until the last person is picked up. If this is not possible, the adult should invite the youth or vulnerable adult to wait with them outside the building where they are visible to the public.

2. Background Checks and Training

Guidelines: Training should be completed and background checks performed on all volunteers that have contact with children, youth and/or vulnerable adults at church sponsored meetings and events using the Desert Southwest Conference provided Safe Gatherings resources.  These background checks should be completed before a volunteer is allowed to lead an activity involving children, youth or vulnerable adults. Continuing volunteers are required to complete training and a full background check through Safe Gatherings every three years. Background checks will be completed by Safe Gatherings upon completion of online training and a completed application. Individual training is $45, and registration is available at https://safegatherings.com/app/registration. The cost of the training and background check for staff shall be paid by the church. The cost for training and registration may be covered by the church at the request of the volunteer. 

The church will abide by the results of the background check through the Desert Southwest Conference. Individuals who fail a background check shall not be a volunteer with children, youth or vulnerable adults. If an individual who fails a background check expresses a desire to be involved in the life of the church, the pastor should meet with the individual to identify safe ways in which they may contribute to the life of the church.

3. Six-month waiting period of Volunteers

Guidelines: Persons new to the congregation are encouraged to become actively engaged in the life of the church. If a person expresses a desire to work with children, youth or vulnerable adults they should be advised of the church guidelines requiring a 6-month waiting period before any adult is allowed unsupervised access to children, youth or vulnerable adults. Background checks and training may be completed during this waiting period. During the initial 6-month period, new attendees may be paired with a seasoned volunteer as an assistant. In this way, they will be able to gain greater familiarity with our programs, participate with their family members in church sponsored activities, and fellowship with others. It is critical that the church not yield to the temptation to allow the volunteer unsupervised access to children, youth or vulnerable adults until they have been attending the church for six months, and background checks and training have been completed.

4. Appropriate Age Difference between Leaders and Participants 

Guidelines: Leaders of children, youth and vulnerable adults (teachers, camp counselors, youth workers, Vacation Bible School volunteers) shall no longer be a high school student and at least three years older than the children/youth that are under their immediate supervision. A leader is defined as an adult (age 18 or older), who does not meet the definition of a vulnerable adult, who has primary responsibility for the care, safety and/or program activity in which children, youth or vulnerable adults are participating. “Assistants” or “helpers” may assist a leader but must be at least three years older than the children or youth they are assisting.

Leaders or leaders-in-training of youth shall not date a youth of the church.

5.  Appropriate Age Range among Participants

Guidelines: Events should not be planned that include youth and young adults (age 18-30) as the only participants.

6. Appropriate Written and Electronic Communication between Children, Youth and Adult Leaders

Guidelines: Written and electronic (text messages, e-mails and social media messaging) communication between adults and children and youth shall be open and public. Adults needing to communicate by phone with children or youth about a meeting or similar issue should make sure the parents or guardians are aware of the communication; likewise, they should copy electronic communications such as e-mails to the parents unless the response is pertaining to logistics of any event, etc. and not about personal issues.

Adults should avoid private communication with individual children and youth where they can’t be observed by others (see counseling suggestions in group of three rules). Text/social media messaging between an adult and child or youth can be used when a message is sent by the adult leader to a group list. Direct messages between an adult and individual child or youth should never be initiated by the adult. Direct messages sent to an adult by a child or youth should not be responded to without including the child or youth’s parent(s) in the response, unless the response is pertaining to logistics of an event, etc. and not about personal issues.

Once a year, the Youth Director will distribute a permission slip to the parents of youth which explains the church’s communication procedures and standards for confidential communication with youth.

Individuals wishing to post information on the church website or social media about church activities may do so only with permission of the sponsoring committee/organization of the church. Pictures or information involving children/youth will also require the permission of the child/youth’s parent or guardian prior to posting. Special caution should be taken involving children/youth who are foster children, not living with their biological parent, or the subject of a custody dispute.

7. Reporting Suspected or Known Abuse or Neglect of a Child, yYuth or Vulnerable Adult

Guidelines: Volunteers or church staff members who suspect that a child or youth has been the victim of abuse or neglect by their parent or guardian shall notify the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and Law Enforcement. Suspected abuse or neglect can be reported 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to 1-888-767-2445 or online at https://dcs.az.gov/report-child-abuse

Volunteers or church staff members who suspect that a vulnerable adult has been the victim of abuse or neglect or has impairment that renders them unable to meet their basic needs (e.g. food, shelter, etc.) shall notify the Department of Economic Security, Adult Protective Services (APS) and Law Enforcement. Suspected abuse or neglect can be reported by phone Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at (877)767-2385. An online reporting form is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week at https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/adult-protective-services

Volunteers who have made a report to DCS or APS should immediately advise the Senior Pastor of the situation. 

When it is alleged that a child, youth or vulnerable adult has been subjected to abuse during a church event or activity, by a person who is not the child’s parent or guardian, or vulnerable adult caregiver, two contacts should be made immediately. The first is to local law enforcement authorities; the second is the Pastor. Staff and volunteers who make a report shall not discuss the confidential situation with anyone in the church, their family or the community to assure the privacy of the family and protect the integrity of the subsequent investigation.

The parent, guardian, or other adult who is suspected of maltreatment shall not be told of the report to law enforcement or DCS and/or APS.

8. Preventing Bullying

The United Methodist Church has a zero tolerance policy for bullying. In 2016, these words were added to the United Methodist Book of Discipline: "Bullying is a growing problem in parts of the connection. It is a contributing factor in suicide and in the violence we see in some cultures today…As the Church, we can play a pivotal role in ending this problem. We urge churches to seek opportunities to be trained in responding to the needs of those who have been bullied, to those who perpetrate bullying, and to support those in authority who may witness or be called to intervene on behalf of those who have been bullied…We encourage churches to adopt a policy of zero tolerance for bullying, including cyberbullying, 

within their spheres of influence; stand with persons being bullied, and take a leadership role in working with the schools and community to prevent bullying."

Church members can model love and respect within church walls, and continue the conversation when people leave the buildings and turn on their phones.
 ( What church members can do about bullying | UMC.org )

Guidelines: It is the right of all individuals of all ages to be free of bullying. The church should be a safe space for all of God’s children.

All persons affiliated with the church should treat each other with kindness and respect. Those in leadership positions and/or positions of authority especially have a responsibility to model civility.

Individuals who witness victimization are called on to stop it and/or report the concerns to a trusted leader or the pastor. 

All reported incidents should be responded to as soon as possible by the pastor or church leader. Both the victim and the instigator should be dealt with in a caring manner, seeking to determine the root of the issue.

Education of staff and the congregation will be available to increase individual awareness of bullying and capacity to effectively address bullying. 

Individuals who are identified as participating in bullying, (including cyber-bullying), intimidation or harassment who continue inappropriate behavior after discussions and redirection from the pastor or other church leaders, may be informed that they are no longer welcome at the church.

9. Oversight

Guidelines: The Senior Pastor or designee will be responsible for ensuring all volunteers who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults as well as all staff complete training, background checks and adhere to these guidelines.