Safe Environments
The Leading with Care policy is not about us as individuals. It is about us as a body of Christ—a denomination—trying to ensure the highest quality of ministry by offering our best to Christ and working to make sure that the worst does not happen. It is a time for entering the age of lost innocence, whether real or imagined.
VAPC, as part of The Presbyterian Church in Canada, is committed to providing safe environments for all persons, including children, youth, vulnerable adults, and those who minister to and with them. The church’s ministry includes times of worship, service, study and play in all milieus (e.g. committee work, congregations, camps, outreach). All staff, both volunteer and paid, must support this policy.
Leadership, Awareness, Commitment
- Our Lord modeled for us how to lead with care as he healed the sick and infirm, and welcomed the young, the weak, and the vulnerable
- It is our awareness that some people in our church need special protection
- It affirms our commitment to training and supporting teachers and leaders in our churches so that children/youth/vulnerable adults will grow in faith and the love of Christ in a climate of safety.