Knowing that a safe environment is fundamental to all as we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and others, FUMC Hurst takes our responsibility to care for children, students, and vulnerable adults (“Protected Persons”) very seriously. Following the guidelines of the Central Texas Conference, our policies are intended to create a safe environment for children, students, and vulnerable adults, protecting them, the adults who work with them, and the mission of this church. We look forward to working with you!
For questions contact Roberta Ballester at or 817.282.7384, x1230.
OVERVIEW OF THE SAFETY SYSTEM AT FUMC HURST
Because FUMC Hurst loves children, students, and vulnerable adults and desires to protect them, our church requires everyone to complete 4 SAFETY STEPS before working or volunteering in ministries with Protected Persons.
For a full copy of the policy, click here.
STEP ONE: Abuse Awareness Training
FUMC Hurst policies and procedures require that:
- Workers/volunteers avoid abusive behavior of any kind.
- Workers/volunteers report any policy violations to a supervisor or a member of our Safety Committee.
- Workers/volunteers should have a basic understanding of the characteristics of sexual abusers and their behaviors in ‘grooming’ a person for sexual abuse. Grooming is the process used by an abuser to select a potential victim, win his/her trust (and the trust of the potential victim’s Parents/Guardians or ‘gatekeepers’), manipulate the potential victim into sexual activity and keep him/her from disclosing the abuse.
To equip all workers and volunteers with information necessary to recognize abuser characteristics and grooming behavior, we require all workers/volunteers to complete Online MinistrySafe Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. This training must be renewed every two years in order to continue working with Protected Persons.
STEP TWO: Policies and Procedures
Workers are required to attend live Policy Training, review the policies contained in this manual, sign the last page indicating that he/she has read and understood the material, agree to comply with policy requirements, and sign a Code of Conduct.
Leaders for outside groups/organizations bringing Protected Persons onto the campus of FUMC Hurst must read and review the policies contained in the MinistrySafe Policies and Procedures Manual for Outside Groups and sign the last page indicating that they have read and understand the material, and agree to comply with policy requirements.
STEP THREE: Screening Process
Workers/Volunteers are required to complete our Screening Process, which requires a Worker/Volunteer to:
- Complete an Employment Application (employees only)
- Complete the Safety Application (employees and volunteers)
- Complete a face-to-face interview (employees and volunteers)
- If Worker/Volunteer prefers, he/she can request this to be done with a staff/clergy person.
- In limited circumstances, and with approval of the Safety Committee, this may be accomplished via Skype, Facetime, or other similar technology.
- Provide references to be checked (employees and volunteers)
- Be an active member of this church for six months before being eligible to serve in positions providing access to Protected Persons. (This does not apply to paid staff.) An exception may be made with the approval of the Safety Committee.
STEP FOUR: Criminal Background Check
Our church requires that all workers and volunteers in ministries that involve protected persons undergo a criminal background check. Depending upon the position, differing levels or intensity of the background check may be required. This will be repeated every four years.