Protecting Your Church Against Sexual Predators: Legal FAQs for Church Leaders

by Voyle A. Glover Esq., Voyle A. Glover, Esq.

An invaluable handbook written by an experienced lawyer for confronting and avoiding the spiritual, emotional, and financial devastation resulting from churches not anticipating the presence of sexual predators in the church. Many flourishing churches have been destroyed by child molestation and the resulting litigation. Unfortunately, sexual predators within the walls of the church are not uncommon. They sit in our pews. They come to our picnics. They even preach from our pulpits and teach in our classes. How can a church protect itself and its children from a very real threat and avoid financial catastrophe brought on by a groundswell of lawsuits? This practical and pertinent book by attorney Voyle Glover cuts to the chase, providing concise, succinct guidelines for protection against sexual predators. Glover's expertise on a wide variety of issues will minimize a church's risk by reducing the opportunities for predators, decreasing liability, and managing the excessive legal exposure. Topics • Insurance issues that need to be addressed and understood now. • Is forgiveness an issue when dealing with a repentant child molester? • Why it is essential to distinguish between restoration, love, and obligations. • What to do when there is an accusation raised against a church member. • What about sexual assaults by leadership? • Guidelines for pastors and other leaders in counseling situations. Includes forms designed to help protect the church.

136 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2005

Reviews

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Glover has put together a fine resource with everything you need to know about legally protecting your church from a lawsuit if sexual improprieties happen in your church. He also covers the bases about weeding out potentially dangerous men who want to get into a position where they have access to children and might harm them when the opportunity arrives.

Because it is so comprehensive it can feel a lot like fear mongering as one reads the book. I see it as more of a take-it-or-leave-it approach, where each church can decide for themselves how far to go to prevent sexual predators from harming their children and their church. This observation leads to an area I would like to see improved: guiding a church through their decision making process of how many of these steps are appropriate to adapt for their church. Mr. Glover seems to reason that every church ought to adapt most measures, and if they don't, well, their guilt is upon them. From a small-church perspective, adapting all of these measures seems impractical and even unwise, so it would be nice to have guidance on how a church is to figure out what to adapt and what to disregard.

Additionally, approaching this topic from a legal perspective gives the impression that churches ought to be run from a legal perspective. Yes, churches are legal entities and that can't be ignored, but what does get ignored in this book is the spiritual and ministry angles that (hopefully) are the bread and butter of a church. Still, Mr. Glover has done a great service to churches by raising awareness and providing a legal framework and background for churches to help keep their congregation safer from sexual predators.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book no one wishes existed, but a necessary read for all pastors, not merely youth and children's workers.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish books like this didn't have to exist. But since these horrible events do happen, I highly recommend this book as a resource to think ahead of time on how to protect the members of the flock and the reputation of Christ's church.