First United Methodist Church
Thursday, February 23, 2012

Safe Sanctuaries Policy


The Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church of Lonoke, Arkansas has approved the implementation of a safe sanctuary policy. The purposes of this policy are as follows:
  1. To demonstrate our steadfast commitment to the physical safety, emotional strength, and spiritual growth of our children (ages 0-18 years) and vulnerable adults.
  2. To protect our staff, both paid and volunteer, from wrongful or false allegations or suspicions of abuse or misconduct.
  3. To help prevent the opportunity for the occurrence or appearance of abuse of children or vulnerable adults; and
  4. To limit the extent of legal liability of our Church.
This applies to all FUMC Clergy, paid and unpaid staff. 

Two-Adult Rule:

  • Two adults should be on-site at all times during any church-sponsored program, event, or ministry involving children or vulnerable adults, including youth field trips.
  • Nursery: children shall be supervised by:
     - Two unrelated adults; and
     - One adult, with the door to the nursery left open, and another adult ("floater") monitoring frequently.
  • Whenever possible, the minimum Child Care Standards of the State of Arkansas shall be followed with a regard to the ratio of adults to children.
  • Exception: An exception may be made to the foregoing rule when children are being transported during a church-sponsored event so long as the following requirements are met.
     - The driver must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age:
     - The driver must have proof of insurance:
     - The driver must have a valid Arkansas Driver's license; and 
     - At no time may a driver be left alone with an unrelated child unless the child's parent has provided written permission for transportation.

Four Years and Older Rule:


All staff or volunteers supervising an event involving children, including supervision in the nursery, must be at least four years older than the children being supervised.

Open Doors

  • Open-Door Counseling. During any counseling session with children, the door of the room being used shall remain open for the entire session. Preferably, the session shall occur when another person(s) is (are) nearby even if not within hearing distance. 
  • Classrooms. All classroom doors shall remain open when children are present.

*Adopted by the Church Council/Administrative Board: 9/11/2011
* Signed by: Betty P. Wright, Jenell Boytte, Jason Grady, Anna Jane Lipton-McCormick, Pamela Weatherford