Click here to search our FAQ database

A2

Q: How do we get started with A2?
A:

Using the A2 Indicators should begin as a spiritual endeavor, seeking to provide a "wellness" picture of the congregation, so each congregation should begin by prayerfully and reflectively considering the work of God in this process.

Congregations are encouraged to use the Scripture Guide (pages 2-4 in the A2 Indicators). The themes, focus questions, and scripture passages found in the guide will enrich your congregation's understanding of the healthy, vital church described in Acts 2:42-47 and to prepare you spiritually to discuss the 12 indicators. Completing the four-week guide prior to using the indicators is optimal. However, if time is short churches may want to work through the Scripture Guide and A2 Indicators simultaneously. 

Q: Why are some of the indicators marked with (*)?
A:

The A2 Indicators are based on a church of 50 or fewer in worship. Churches with worship attendance of greater than 50 must adjust descriptors marked with (*). To do this, simply divide your average worship attendance by 50, round off, then multiply the result by the numbers stated in the descriptors.

Example: Your average attendance is 295, so you divide by 50 and get 5.9. Round off to 6. For every indicator with a (*), you will multiply all the descriptors by 6. In the first indicator, Servant Ministries, for instance, your church would need to have 18 or more (3x6=18) servant ministries for your church to score a 4.

Indicators with no (*) do not change according to worship attendance.

NOTE: Disregard the (*) on Indicator #7, Average Worship Attendance. It should not be starred. 

Q: The second indicator is about core values. What are some examples of church vision/mission statements or core values?
A:

Here are examples of core values and mission statements from the Greenwood District.

Kilmichael UMC
"Kilmichael United Methodist Church affirms its purpose to serve Christ through upholding worship as a primary value, seeking to be an example of tolerance and diversity, growing in loving others as we love ourselves, and continuing to celebrate the long history of this congregation in Kilmichael, Mississippi." 

St. John's UMC, Greenwood
St. John's exists to "reach out and win persons to Jesus Christ, to assimilate persons into the church, to train and equip persons for the work of discipleship, and then to send persons into the world as faithful disciples."

St. Luke UMC, Cleveland
"To be a Christian community whose people experience the love of God through worship and fellowship, grow through prayer and study of scripture, and respond as disciples through service and witness to our faith."

Trinity UMC, Greenville
"Trinity's purpose is to create a climate where all people can know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord and to provide a place where spiritual growth occurs, so that God's will to save the lost is accomplished. Glory be to God!" 

Moore Memorial UMC, Winona
"The purpose of Moore Memorial United Methodist Church, individually and as the body of Christ, is to glorify and worship God, to lead souls to Christ, to nurture one another, and to study and grow spiritually."

First UMC, Greenville
"We are called to be the Church of Jesus Christ in the City of Greenville. We are a church of vision. A vision of: Unity, renewal, service and growth. Our vision unites us to proclaim and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are a church whose vision is to be in mission with and for people through the Gospel. The vision that we have is based on the values that we hold as a local congregation. These values are based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are bearing the Gospel, caring for one another and all of God's, creation. We are centered in prayer, rooted in Scripture, and focused on Christ. Our values are non-negotiable. They are the framework that our mission is built upon. Our mission is twofold: First, we want to know God as expressed to humanity through Jesus Christ. We will seek, serve and love Him. Secondly, our Commitment to God will always be expressed through seeking, serving, and loving people. We seek, love, and serve because God first loved us when he sent his only Son into the world. Jesus came and seeking the lost, loving people and serving humanity. We desire to be faithful to our Lord's example."  

Holcomb UMC
"We the children of God at the Holcomb United Methodist Church raise our hands to the Son and show His love to others with our hearts. We seek to find the lost, the needy, and the one that is looking for God in a real world. We see all mankind as one, and then pray that the one we love will bring them together. By using the Bible, God's Holy Word, He has given us all we need to spread the good news about His Son, Christ Jesus. Even into the darkness we shine His light, we give witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to the Apostles as it is written. We strive to meet all that love Him in the clouds, as the elect standing at His side."

Our Core Values
1.        We praise Jesus Christ as Lord and savior always.
2.        Help others in their time of need, the lost, hungry and weak.
3.        Spread the good news about the Kingdom of Heaven.
4.        Love God the Father with all of our hearts, mind, body, and soul. 

First UMC, Ruleville
"Our church will serve as a window through which all may see the Glory of Christ."

Glendora UMC
"A small church with a big heart so that the world will see Christ."

Safe Sanctuaries

Q: What is "Safe Sanctuaries"?
A: Safe Sanctuaries is the title of the guidebook to written by United Methodist deacon and lawyer Joy Thornburg Melton and published by Discipleship Resources in 1998.

"Safe Sanctuaries" is the name commonly given by United Methodist annual conferences and local churches to their individual efforts to make conference and local church ministries both welcoming and safe for children and those who minister to them.
Q: Why do we need to have this Safe Sanctuaries program?
A:

The physical and emotional safety, as well as the spiritual growth of all God's children and youth, is important to the Mississippi Conference. We as a conference are committed to the holistic well-being of each child, youth, and adult entrusted to us. We believe that we as a church must take reasonable steps to love and protect our children and youth while they are involved in programs and activities provided in and by our local churches, districts, and our conference.

In addition, we must take reasonable steps to love and protect those adults who work with our children and youth. The resolution "Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church" was adopted in 1996 and reaffirmed in 2000 by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. This resolution became the impetus for all annual conferences and local churches to implement child and youth abuse prevention policies.

In all of our ministries with children and youth, the Mississippi Conference is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each child will be "surrounded by steadfast love, established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal" (Baptismal Covenant II, United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44). This effort at Safe Sanctuaries demonstrates our commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all our children and youth.

Q: Is there a set standard of care that local churches must follow?
A: Local churches are not required to follow an established standard of care or structure for their Safe Sanctuaries policy. The Mississippi Annual Conference Safe Sanctuaries policy does provide a guideline for local churches working to develop their own Safe Sanctuaries ministry. 

Although Melton's book, Safe Sanctuaries, is a guide published to help local congregations in planning, it does not establish a standard of care for churches. Each local church is encouraged to adopt the minimum standards and add to its local church policy any other pertinent procedures it determines is best for its local ministries. 
Q: What about youth assisting in different aspects of ministry?
A: Youth are a vital part of the congregation. We affirm this inclusion of our youth and our responsibility to them at each child's baptism by our congregational response, pledging: "With God's help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal" (Book of Worship, Baptismal Covenant, Congregational Pledge, page 11).

Youth under the age of 18 can participate in leading Sunday school, VBS, etc., as long as there is an adult over the age of 18 serving in a SUPERVISORY capacity in the classroom with them.
Q: Who is required to have a background check?
A: All paid staff and non-paid volunteers who work in any capacity with children and/or youth are encouraged to have a national criminal background check.
Q: Why conduct background checks and interviews of existing employees and volunteers?
A: One aspect of Safe Sanctuaries care includes conducting background checks on persons, both paid and volunteer, who work with children and youth. Doing background checks on staff members and volunteers who have regular and direct contact with children and youth provides uniformity in treatment of the workers. It demonstrates that background checks are not targeted or random. Uniformity of treatment helps guard against any misunderstanding or resentment that might otherwise arise.
Q: What costs are involved?
A: The cost of a single background check is $9.00 through Trak-1 Technology.  This national background check provides you with Social Security verification, National Criminal Background screening and the National Sexual Offenders registry check.
Q: What if you find these expenses difficult to manage?
A: It is likely that you will not be able to run all the background checks that need to be run and make all of the improvements to your physical facility at one time. Instead, you may need to create a ranking of the priorities in terms of highest risk to children and begin there. Set a goal of 3-5 years to be in complete compliance. 

Some creative suggestions: ask each potential staff person and volunteer pay for their own background check; have a fundraiser for children's ministry; ask people to give in honor of each baptism that occurs in your congregation. As it pertains to facility updates, you might consider asking persons to donate to these projects, or conduct a comprehensive "Safe Sanctuaries" fundraising campaign emphasizing the need to make your church a safe and welcoming place for all of God's children.
Q: Who will handle the administration of a Safe Sanctuaries policy in the local church?
A: The Administrative/Church Council should assign someone to be responsible to administer the policy. This can be a paid staff member or a volunteer. The staff person is accountable to the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. The volunteer is accountable to the Administrative/Church Council. The policy administrator should prepare to give an annual report to his/her supervisor and charge conference. 
Q: Can I get Safe Sanctuaries resources or read the conference policy online?
A: Click here to go to the Safe Sanctuaries section of the conference Web site.
Q: What if we encounter difficulty or have questions in implementing a "Safe Sanctuaries" policy and program in our congregation?
A: Contact Rev. Michelle Foster at 601-354-0515 ext. 28 or michelle@mississippi-umc.org.