CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCES
- The Eastern District Congregational CommitmentForm – Click here
- Remittance Form for Church Treasurers – Click here
- Eastern District Congregational Fiscal Safeguards and Guidelines
- LCMS Memo Regarding IRS Form 8822-B
- Guidelines for congregation constitution and bylaws – Click here
- Call Process guidance – Contact President Wicher’s office – Contact ruthmarzano68@gmail.com
- Call Process Resources
- Call documents, available through the website of Concordia Publishing House – Click here (secure “log-on” information from Ruth Marzano at the Eastern District, LCMS)
- Congregational Officers Reporting Form– Click here
- Congregational Treasurer’s Manual – fiscal and administrative guidance – Click here
- Critical Incidents Manual– A Congregational Crisis Manual – Click here
- Eastern District Ministerial Health and Salary Guidelines – Click here
- Job descriptions for congregational officers – Click here
- Job Descriptions for congregational ministry staff – Click here
- Job Descriptions for congregational administrative staff – Click here
- Job Descriptions for congregational facilities staff – Click here
- LCMS Graphics–Download the LCMS logo cross, Luther’s rose and the synodical seal – Click here
- LCMS Group Tax Exempt Ruling – Click here
- Employment Resource Manual– a guideline for use by congregations & schools – Click here
- Reduction in Force Guidelines for Congregations and Schools of the LCMS – Click here
- Sample Congregation Computer Use Policy – Click here
- Sample Safe Environment Policy Statement – Click here
- Hospitality Audit that you can use in your congregation, Click here
- Guide for Developing High Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship – Click here
- Child Abuse Reporting Laws for MD, NY, and PA – Click here Child Abuse Reporting Laws.
- Protect My Ministry – Click here
- “Protecting Your Ministry from Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Lawsuits”Click Here
- “Guidelines for the Christian Steward” by Dr. David Belasic
- Notes for Christian Stewards (Counsel and Notes for Christian Stewards) – Click here
- Guidelines for Christian Stewards(Complete Guidelines for Christian Stewards) – Click here
- The Christian Steward (Describes the Biblical View of Christian Stewardship) – Click here
- The Life of the Christian Steward (The Christian Lives Out His/Her Identiy as Steward) – Click here
- The Witness of Life (The Attitude, Knowledge and Skills of the Christian Steward) – Click here
The following is a compilation of resources that may be of value as your congregation reviews and evluates it’s anti-harassment, employment, child safety and crime prevention policies. As you review these materials, it is important that before adopting ANY such policy, your congregation consult with your insuring agency and/or an attorney.
Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy Model
Brotherhood Mutual Online Training Courses
Child Protection Policy for Churches
Creating Sexual Harassment Policies for Church Workplaces
LCMS-Alliance-Defending-Freedom-Legal-Guide-2016
OSHA Fact Sheet Workplace Violence
Preventing Crime and Violence Guide One
Sample Workplace Violence Policy Statement Training Outline Incident Report
Sexual Harassment Complaint Form – Faith Lutheran Church Sample
Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy – Faith Lutheran Church/Faith Christian Nursery School Sample
Sexual Harassment Prevention Poster – Faith Lutheran Church Sample
Sexual Harassment Preventing Me Too
BACKGROUND SCREENING OF WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS
Before 1984, churches had not faced litigation for negligence concerning child molestation related to volunteers or employees. However, today church leaders find themselves as defendants in litigation cases. Plaintiffs allege that the church and its leadership did little or nothing to screen ministers or church workers prior to employment as a minister or enlistment to serve as a volunteer.
The risk to the local church today is too high NOT to take all of the precautions necessary and rely on the data available to alert them about harmful individuals.
- Protect My Ministry: The LCMS has negotiated special rates for congregations and schools with “Protect My Ministry.” For information on their services, click “ProtectMyMinistry.”
- Ten Reasons Why Church Leaders Should Take Screening Seriously: Ten Reasons
-
Sharing Sacred Secrets: Is It (Past) Time for a Dangerous Person Exception to the Clergy- Penitent Privilege? Boston College Law School
- Screening Church Leadership: A PDF article on the importance of screening congregational leadership: Screening Church Leaders
- Background Check Authorization Form: A sample background screening authorization form: Background Check Authorization Form
- Congregational Screening Policy: A sample screening policy for congregations and schools: Screening Policy
- Volunteer Application Form: A samply application form for volunteers: Volunteer Application Form
- Diocese of Buffalo: Child Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Child