Not Even One
Protecting the children in our care starts with equipping the people who serve them.
The Southeastern District provides free Sexual Abuse Awareness Training through MinistrySafe® for every SED congregation and school so your staff and volunteers can serve with wisdom, confidence and care.
Why This Matters
Children and youth ministries are built on trust. That trust calls us to be proactive, not reactive.
Many ministries believe abuse “could never happen here.” That sense of safety, while understandable, can leave both children and volunteers unprotected. Abusers intentionally look for environments where people are trusting and safeguards are low.
Awareness changes that.
When volunteers and staff understand grooming behaviors and warning signs, they gain the “eyes to see” and the ability to act.
This foundational training is the single most important step a ministry can take to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse.
What the District Provides… on us!
Through our partnership with MinistrySafe®, every SED congregation and school has access to:
- 90-minute online Sexual Abuse Awareness Training
- Training for staff and volunteers
- MinistrySafe certificate of completion
- No cost to your ministry
Our goal: Every person serving children and youth is trained.
The Foundation of a Saftey System
MinistrySafe’s approach is built on a simple truth:
What we believe shapes what we do. Prevention starts with awareness.
Sexual Abuse Awareness Training equips ministry leaders and volunteers to:
- Understand abuser characteristics
- Recognize grooming behaviors
- Identify key indicators of abuse
- Respond appropriately
Without this foundation, policies and procedures are just words on paper.
The 5-Part Saftey System
The Southeastern District provides the Awareness Training, but a fully developed child protection strategy includes five essential elements.
1. Awareness Training
The starting point. We cannot address a risk we do not understand.
2. Skillful Screening
Thoughtful applications, interviews and reference checks help ensure the right people are serving in the right roles.
3. Policies and Procedures
Clear, written, ministry-specific guidelines for:
- Appropriate touch and conversation
- Bathroom and one-to-one interaction
- Social media communication
- Overnight events
- Reporting requirements
4. Background Checks
An important tool, but not a standalone solution. Most abusers do not have a criminal record, which is why training and screening matter.
5. Monitoring and Oversight
Ongoing systems that ensure your ministry does what it says it will do and that safety continues even as leadership changes.
These steps can be implemented through MinistrySafe or another trusted provider.
Next Steps
Getting started is simple:
- Email the Southeastern District to request access
- Receive your training link and code
- Train your staff and volunteers
Contact:
703-971-9371
Gina Jordan – gjordan@se.lcms.org
Additional Resources
Tools to help your ministry strengthen policies and reduce risk:
- LCMS Child Abuse Prevention resources
- Church Mutual policy templates
- Protecting Your Ministry legal guide (LCMS + ADF)
- Threat assessment and school safety guide
(These can become clean “resource cards” on the page.)