I. PREAMBLE & BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
The Church is committed to the twin responsibilities of welcoming every person who sincerely seeks the Gospel of Jesus Christ and protecting the vulnerable members of our congregation – especially children, youth, and those with diminished capacity.
We are guided in this by the Word of God:
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” — Matthew 18:6 (KJB)
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.” — Psalm 82:3 (KJB)
This policy does not exist to permanently condemn any individual, for we affirm that salvation and transformation are available to all through the blood of Jesus Christ. However, the Church also recognizes its legal and moral duty to protect its membership and to comply with applicable civil laws regarding registered sex offenders (RSOs).
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to:
• Establish clear, consistent procedures for managing the attendance and participation of any person listed on a state or national sex offender registry.
• Protect children, youth, vulnerable adults, and all members of the congregation from harm.
• Define the rights and responsibilities of the Church, its leadership, staff, and volunteers.
• Provide a structured, compassionate pathway that allows RSOs to attend worship while maintaining safety boundaries.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
III. SCOPE
This policy applies to all persons who are currently registered on any federal, state, or local sex offender registry and who wish to attend, visit, join, or serve in any capacity at The Church, including but not limited to:
• Regular Sunday worship services
• Wednesday or mid-week services and Bible studies
• Special events, revivals, conferences, or church-sponsored activities
• Online or virtual ministry programs
• Any off-campus activity organized or sponsored by the Church
IV. DEFINITIONS
Term Definition
Registered Sex Offender (RSO) Any individual currently listed on a federal, state, or local sex offender registry as a result of a conviction for a sex offense as defined by applicable law.
Safety Monitor A designated adult church member (non-family) assigned to accompany and supervise an RSO during all church activities.
Safety Agreement A written covenant signed by the RSO outlining the conditions of attendance and participation.
Church Leadership The Senior Pastor, Associate Pastors, and Board of Deacons of The Church.
Vulnerable Person Any minor under the age of 18, or any adult with a diminished mental or physical capacity.
Protected Areas Locations within or associated with the Church where RSOs are strictly prohibited (see Section VII).
V. MANDATORY DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
A. Duty to Disclose Any person who is a registered sex offender must disclose their status to the Senior Pastor or a designated member of Church leadership PRIOR to attending any church service or activity. Failure to disclose constitutes grounds for immediate and permanent removal from church property.
B. Voluntary Disclosure If an individual voluntarily discloses their RSO status, Church leadership will respond with confidentiality, grace, and a structured review process as outlined in Section VI. Voluntary disclosure demonstrates good faith and will be considered favorably in the review process.
C. Discovery by Church Leadership If Church leadership becomes aware that a person is an RSO through means other than voluntary disclosure (e.g., background check, notification from law enforcement, or a report from a congregation member), Church leadership will:
1. Immediately notify the Senior Pastor and/or Board of Deacons.
2. Arrange a private meeting with the individual within 7 days.
3. Suspend the individual’s participation pending the outcome of a formal review.
4. Notify appropriate parties if children were present during undisclosed contact.
VI. REVIEW & INTAKE PROCESS
A. Initial Meeting
Upon disclosure, the Senior Pastor (or designee) will schedule a confidential meeting with the individual. During this meeting, the following information will be gathered:
• Nature and details of the offense(s) leading to RSO registration
• Current legal status, including probation, parole, or court-ordered restrictions
• Confirmation of compliance with all registration requirements
• The individual’s stated spiritual and ministry goals
• Any known risk factors or ongoing treatment programs
B. Background Verification Church leadership will conduct an independent search of the applicable state sex offender registry to verify the individual’s registration status and the nature of the offense(s). This is standard procedure and is not punitive in nature.
C. Leadership Review
The Senior Pastor and Board of Deacons will convene to review the information gathered. This review will result in one of three determinations:
APPROVED Attendance permitted subject to a signed Safety Agreement and all conditions in this policy.
CONDITIONAL Attendance permitted only under additional specific conditions beyond the standard Safety Agreement (e.g., limited to specific services, online attendance only).
DENIED Attendance denied. This determination is made only in cases of high risk to the congregation, active predatory behavior, non-compliance with legal obligations, or as directed by law enforcement or court order.
VII. SAFETY AGREEMENT & CONDITIONS OF ATTENDANCE
Upon approval, the RSO must sign a Safety Agreement prior to attending any church service or activity. The Safety Agreement shall include, at minimum, the following conditions:
A. Safety Monitor Requirement
• The RSO must be accompanied at all times by an assigned Safety Monitor.
• The Safety Monitor must be a non-family adult church member approved by Church leadership.
• The RSO may never be alone with any child, youth, or vulnerable adult at any time on church property or at church-sponsored events.
• If the assigned Safety Monitor is unavailable, the RSO may not attend that service or event.
B. Protected Areas – Absolute Prohibitions
The RSO is strictly prohibited from entering or remaining in the following areas at any time:
• Children’s Ministry rooms, nursery, or any area designated for children under age 18
• Youth group meeting rooms or areas
• Restrooms simultaneously with minors (leadership shall assist in monitoring transitions)
• Any area where minors are present without other adults
• Any off-campus activity involving minors
C. Restricted Roles & Activities
The RSO is NOT permitted to serve in or participate in any of the following capacities:
• Teaching, instructing, or leading any class, group, or ministry involving minors
• Volunteering in the nursery, children’s church, Vacation Bible School, or youth ministry
• Transportation of any minor
• Serving as a deacon, trustee, or any leadership position
• Representing the church in any public-facing or community outreach role involving children
D. Permitted Participation
Subject to all other conditions in this policy, an approved RSO may:
• Attend adult worship services with their Safety Monitor
• Participate in adult Bible study with their Safety Monitor
• Participate in appropriate adult fellowship activities with their Safety Monitor
• Receive pastoral counseling and spiritual care
• Contribute financially to the church
VIII. SAFETY MONITOR DUTIES & SELECTION
A. Selection Criteria
Safety Monitors must meet all of the following criteria:
• Adult member of The Church in good standing
• Must not be a family member or close friend of the RSO
• Must pass a background check conducted by the Church
• Must complete Safety Monitor orientation training provided by Church leadership
• Must not themselves be an RSO or have any history of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation
B. Duties of the Safety Monitor
• Remain within visual proximity of the RSO at all times during church activities
• Ensure the RSO does not enter any protected area
• Immediately notify Church leadership of any policy violation or concern
• Complete a brief written report after each service or event attended by the RSO
• Serve with integrity, maintaining the dignity of both the RSO and the congregation
C. Rotation & Relief
Church leadership will maintain a rotation schedule of at least two (2) trained Safety Monitors to prevent compassion fatigue and ensure consistent coverage.
IX. CONGREGATIONAL NOTIFICATION
A. Leadership Notification
All pastoral staff, deacons, ministry leaders, and children’s ministry volunteers shall be notified of an RSO’s approved attendance. This notification shall include the RSO’s name, photograph (if available), and the specific conditions of their Safety Agreement.
B. General Congregation
The Church is not obligated to make a general announcement to the congregation regarding an RSO’s attendance; however, Church leadership retains the discretion to do so when deemed necessary for the safety of the congregation. Any such communication will be handled with pastoral care, factual accuracy, and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.
C. Parents & Guardians
If an RSO will be present at any event where minors are also present (even in separate areas), parents and guardians of minor children who are regular attendees shall be notified in advance.
X. POLICY VIOLATIONS & CONSEQUENCES
A. Minor Violations
The following are considered minor violations subject to a verbal warning and documented written record:
• Brief, inadvertent entry into a restricted area (immediately corrected)
• Separation from Safety Monitor for less than two minutes due to a temporary circumstance
B. Major Violations
The following are considered major violations and will result in immediate removal from the premises and suspension pending review:
• Deliberate or repeated entry into protected areas
• Any unsupervised contact with a minor
• Failure to disclose current or new charges or registration requirements
• Harassment, manipulation, or grooming behavior toward any congregation member
• Violation of any court-ordered restriction
C. Immediate Removal
Any violation involving physical contact, threatening behavior, or any act that constitutes a criminal offense will result in IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT removal from all church activities, mandatory reporting to law enforcement, and notification of the individual’s probation or parole officer if applicable.
XI. MANDATORY REPORTING
All Church staff, pastors, deacons, ministry leaders, and Safety Monitors are MANDATORY REPORTERS under this policy.
Any suspicion or knowledge of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any violation of this policy by an RSO must be:
1. Reported IMMEDIATELY to the Senior Pastor and/or a deacon.
2. Reported to local law enforcement or Child Protective Services (CPS) as required by state law.
3. Documented in writing within 24 hours of the report. No church staff member, volunteer, or leadership figure may discourage, delay, or interfere with a mandatory report. The Church’s obligation to protect children supersedes any desire to handle matters internally.
XII. ANNUAL REVIEW & POLICY UPDATES
This policy shall be reviewed annually by the Senior Pastor and Board of Deacons. The review shall assess:
• Compliance with current federal, state, and local laws
• Any incidents or violations that occurred during the prior year
• Effectiveness of Safety Monitor assignments and training
• Any needed updates to Safety Agreements currently in force
The policy may be amended at any time upon a majority vote of the Board of Deacons and the approval of the Senior Pastor. Any substantive amendment shall be communicated to all currently enrolled RSOs and their Safety Monitors within 30 days.
XIII. LEGAL DISCLAIMER & CIVIL AUTHORITY
The Church affirms the biblical principle found in
Romans 13:1 (KJB): “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
The Church will cooperate fully with law enforcement and civil authorities in all matters related to registered sex offenders. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to supersede, limit, or conflict with any court order, probation condition, parole requirement, or applicable law.
The Church reserves the right to deny or revoke attendance privileges for any RSO at any time, for any reason consistent with the protection of its congregation, without obligation to provide a justification beyond the scope of this policy.
XIV. ACKNOWLEDGMENT & ADOPTION
By signing below, the undersigned affirm that this policy has been duly reviewed, approved, and adopted by The Church.
Senior Pastor
Signature / Date
Chairman, Board of Deacons
Signature / Date
APPENDIX A – REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER SAFETY AGREEMENT
The Church – To Be Completed Before First Attendance
This Safety Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between The Church ("Church") and the undersigned individual ("Attendee").
By signing this Agreement, the Attendee acknowledges having read, understood, and agreed to comply with all conditions stated herein and within the Church’s Registered Sex Offender Policy (Policy No. KJBC-SAFE-001).
Attendee Information
Full Legal Name:
Date of Birth:
Address:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Offense(s) for which registered:
Jurisdiction(s) of Registration:
Probation / Parole Officer Name & Phone:
Court-Ordered Restrictions (list):
Conditions of Attendance – I agree to:
1. Maintain continuous proximity to my assigned Safety Monitor at all times on church property or at church-sponsored events.
2. Never enter any Protected Area as defined by the Church’s RSO Policy.
3. Never be alone with any minor (person under age 18) or vulnerable adult at any time.
4. Not attend any service or event if my assigned Safety Monitor is unavailable.
5. Notify Church leadership immediately of any new charges, convictions, or changes in my registration status.
6. Notify Church leadership immediately of any changes to my court-ordered restrictions or probation/parole conditions.
7. Refrain from serving in any role involving children, youth, or vulnerable adults.
8. Conduct myself in a manner consistent with the standards of Christian conduct and the policies of this Church.
9. Consent to periodic check-ins and reviews by Church leadership as requested.
10. Acknowledge that this Agreement may be revoked at any time at the sole discretion of Church leadership.
I have read and understand the Church Registered Sex Offender Policy (KJBC-SAFE-001) and agree to comply with all its terms.
I understand that any violation of this Agreement may result in immediate removal from all church activities and reporting to law enforcement.
Attendee Signature / Date
Witness / Church Representative Signature / Date
This form shall be retained in a secure, confidential file maintained by the Senior Pastor’s office.
