Child Protection Policy
The Rocky Mountain Ministry Network strongly recommends that every church adopt a child protection policy (CPP) for the following reasons.
- Ensuring Child Safety. A CPP protects children from abuse, neglect, and harm within the church community and creates a secure environment where children can grow in faith without fear.
- Legal Compliance. A CPP helps the church follow child protection laws and reporting requirements and reduces liability and legal risks associated with child abuse cases.
- Protecting Church Leaders and Volunteers. A CPP provides clear guidelines for staff and volunteers on appropriate behavior and helps prevent false accusations by establishing accountability.
- Building Trust with Parents and the Community. A CPP demonstrates the church’s commitment to child safety and ethical responsibility. It also encourages families to feel secure in bringing their children to church activities.
- Upholding Biblical Principles. A CPP reflects Christ’s love and care for children (Matthew 18:6, Mark 10:14) and ensures the church honors its moral and spiritual duty to protect the vulnerable.
- Creating a Culture of Awareness and Prevention. A CPP educates staff, volunteers, and members about recognizing and responding to abuse. It also encourages proactive measures to prevent incidents before they occur.
- Strengthening the Church’s Reputation. A CPP prevents scandals that could damage the church’s mission and credibility and shows integrity and responsibility to the wider community.
We have provided a few general templates that can be used to help you begin the process at the links below. These Child Protection Policy templates are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. All our churches are encouraged to consult with a qualified attorney or legal professional to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding child protection, mandatory reporting, and liability. While these templates provide general guidelines and best practices, each church should customize its policy to reflect its specific needs, structure, building layout, and legal obligations. The Rocky Mountain Ministry Network and the authors of these templates assume no responsibility for any legal consequences resulting from their use or implementation. By using these templates, the church acknowledges its responsibility to seek professional legal counsel as needed to maintain a safe and lawful environment for children and youth.
1. Safe Church Child Protection Policy Template (pdf) click here
2. Ministry Safe Child Protection Policy Template (Word doc) downloaded to your download folder) click here
3. Church Child and Youth Protection Manual (pdf) click here
4. Brotherhood Mutual Safety Library (webpage) click here
5. Child Safety Resource Page (web page) click here
6. Everything You Need to Know About Background Checks, Mandatory Reporting, and Providing a Safe Space for Ministry (pdf) click here