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Dealing with Sex Offenders Who Attend Church
How do we protect our members from known sex offenders?Total Reader Responses:
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There is a female, registered sex offender who wants to attend our Sunday services. We want her to attend, but what guidelines should we have in place to safeguard our children?
Answer:
When the senior pastor, or any member of the church board, is informed that a registered sex offender is attending the church, there are steps that can be taken to manage risk. These include the following:
- Obtain a record of the sex offender's prior criminal convictions by conducting a national criminal records check. The church must be fully informed regarding the sex offender's criminal background.
- If the sex offender is on probation, identify his or her probation officer and ascertain the conditions that have been imposed. In some cases, sex offenders are not even allowed to attend church. If the probation officer says that the offender is free to attend church, ask the officer if he or she would recommend that the offender be allowed to attend church, and if so, under what conditions. Obtain this information in writing, or, if that is not possible, make a detailed written account of the officer's response.
- Condition the sex offender's right to attend church services and activities on his or her signing a "conditional attendance agreement" that imposes the following conditions:
- The sex offender will not work with minors in any capacity in the church.
- The sex offender will not transport minors to or from church, or any church activity.
- The sex offender will not attend any youth or children's functions while on church property, except for those involving his or her own child or children, and only if in the presence of a chaperone (see below).
- The sex offender will always be in the presence of a designated chaperone while on church property. This includes religious services, educational classes, activities, and restroom breaks. The chaperone will meet the sex offender at the entrance of the church, and accompany the sex offender on church premises until returned to his or her vehicle.
- A single violation of these conditions will result in an immediate termination of the sex offender's privilege to attend the church.
- The conditional attendance agreement option will not be available unless the church's insurer is informed and confirms that coverage will not be affected.
- The sex offender will not work with minors in any capacity in the church.
- In some cases, exclusion of the offender from church is the only viable option. This option is advisable if (1) for any reason the conditional attendance option is not feasible or enforceable; or (2) if the offender's crimes are so frequent or heinous that exclusion is the only appropriate option; or (3) one or more of the offender's victims attends the church. This will be a judgment call made by the pastor and board.
- It is often desirable to draft a short policy addressing the church's response to registered sex offenders attending the church, and have it adopted by the congregation during an annual or special business meeting. This would allow the membership to discuss this issue in a rational manner.
- Seek legal counsel in formulating the church's response.
Resource. For additional information on handling registered sex offenders, see volume four in Richard Hammar's four-book set, Pastor, Church & Law (4th ed. 2008).
Posted: January 19, 2012
guest
(Guest)
I am a youth minister and our church has recently had a sex offender start attending our morning service. I don't think that he should be able to attend. The guy was charged with a c felony child molesting and only served 45 consecutive weekends in jail and was on work release during the week. Ummm, that does not rehabilitate someone as sick as he is. I was also a victim of sexual molestation as a child. The pastor thinks he is fine. He also thinks it is unimportant to tell the parents of the youth. Don't you think these parents need to know that if they attend 8:00 service they could very well be sitting next to this guy with their kids. I have 3 children of my own and would be outraged if I didn't know what was going on.
Posted: December 29, 2011
concerned
(Guest)
(guest)
I believe we have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God. I do believe in accountability for our actions. However, I dont understand how a sex offender can not be around children in the secular world but it is okay to be around children in church. Our church also has a Christian school. This issue has caused us to lose many members. It is heartbreaking for all of us.
Posted: October 15, 2011
guest
(Guest)
As the wife of an offender, i am crushed by the church. My husband has taken every step towards recovery; repentance, and multiple levels of counseling. He has done EVERYTHING spiritually and humanly possible to walk towards restoration. He will speak with anyone about his sin and will answer any question anyone may have.The problem is that no one will come to him as scripture instructs."If you have a problem with a brother, go to the brother."While church members are supportive of me and my children, people forget that in marriage that i am 'one flesh' with my husband. If he is not allowed to come to the Lords house to heal, how will our family ever heal? However, the parameters set forth in this article are fair and a good idea and we hope to utilize them to be allowed to return to fellowship.But consider 2 cor 2:7-8 :"so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with TOO MUCH SORROW. I urge u to reaffirm your love.."
Posted: October 10, 2011
davidwr
(Guest)
Sex offenders, murderers, and others who have healed, are healing, or who want to heal from their past sins that hurt others are far better off in a community of faith than outside of one.
If society as a whole tells such people they are not welcome in churches, then some of those people will give up on the healing process and in doing so, put their families, neighbors, and larger community in danger. This means more victims, more recidivism, and more of other things that are bad for society.
Basically, local churches have limited options when it comes to repentant ex-offenders who are able to behave themselves and follow reasonable rules while participating in church:
* Accept the person and love him, with or without restrictions. Do so in a way that is not perceived as a rejection or lack of love.
* Admit that the church is unable to live up to what it knows is God's will of providing an "open invitation" into His house. Acknowledge that this is because the church is made up of people and it is the people, not the ex-offender, who need to heal before this can change. For example, if a sex-offender wants to enter and more than a small number of church attendees are sex-abuse victims who still need to heal and/or more than a small number are parents who are misinformed about the real danger that sex offenders present to their kids and who grossly overestimate or overgeneralize the risk.
* If restrictions are needed for reasons other than a clear-and-present danger or recent proven inability to behave without restrictions, then the ex-offender needs to know that this is because of the church is made up of people who are dealing with their own issues.
* If restrictions are due to an outside force, such as a denominational requirement, insurance company requirement, state law, or probation or parole requirement, say so in the most loving way possible.
* If the church has not made the decision to welcome everyone in love, they need to be able to provide referrals to other churches of similar ideology, denomination, etc. who have already agreed in advance to accept ex-offenders that this church cannot.
For those who want to be part of a church who say they want to reform but simply are not able to do so, the church needs to do what it can to provide pastoral support, prayer support, and other support to the extent possible.
Posted: October 10, 2011
Davidwr
(Guest)
To the person who wrote: "I was molested for over 8 years."
I am so sorry.
I am sorry that this is a difficult time for you.
Prayerfully consider that God may be using this experience so that you can do what you need to do to continue healing.
Far better to go through this pain now and "be over" it in a few years than to keep having this pain come up over and over again through the rest of your life.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. “From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations.” Copyright © 2008. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co. & Christianity Today International. All rights reserved.
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