Merrimack Valley Baptist Church takes great joy in zealously and fervently serving our Lord and Savior through the Children and Teens’ Ministries. We recognize that every church employee and volunteer plays a vital role in fostering the spiritual development of individuals and families in our community. We take the responsibility of stewardship seriously to provide a safe environment for those participating in the Children and Teens’ Ministries. Holding firm to our commitment to excellence, this Protection Policy will be used in the Children and Teens’ Ministries to strive for the safety and well-being of children and youth in our care.

1. All adults desiring to minister to children (1) and youth (2) in Children and Teens’ Ministries must meet all the following qualifications to become a certified adult worker: (3,4)

a. Be an attendee in good standing (5) at Merrimack Valley Baptist Church for at least 6 months.

b. Be 18 years of age or older.

c. Complete and sign the MVBC Children and Youth Worker Application (6).

d. Submit to an interview by a Pastor or Ministry Leader.

e. Submit to a background check every 24 months by a background check service that utilizes local and national database services. A person who has been previously convicted of abuse or mistreatment of children or youth will be disqualified from working with children and youth in Children and Teens’ Ministries at Merrimack Valley Baptist Church. 

f. Participate in annual training on child and youth protection policies and procedures.

2. All teens (2) (ages 13–17) desiring to minister to children in Children’s Ministries must meet the qualifications in 1a, 1c, 1d, and 1f above to become a certified teen worker. (3,4) Teen workers involved in working with children are to be supervised by a certified adult worker.

3. A Driver Questionnaire must be completed by workers and approved by the Ministry Leader and Facility Supervisor to transport children or youth to and from off-site events (11).

4. Workers (9) must be at least 3 years removed from the age group they are helping with.

5. A parent/guardian must have completed the MVBC Child Safety Program and become a certified worker within the past 12 months to chaperone any program (10) or event.

6. A minimum of two adult workers should always be present when children and/or youth are being supervised during a ministry program or event.  A child or youth should not be left in an individual’s care behind closed doors or in an isolated or private location. The Ministry Leader and/or a Pastor(s) will evaluate ministry programs, events, and activities to determine the level of risk for sexual misconduct situations to occur. When the risk level is high (i.e., overnight activities, bringing children to the bathroom, etc.), every effort should be made to increase supervision and accountability for the program, event, or activity.

7. Workers should not allow children and youth to be unsupervised during a ministry program or event.  Parents assume responsibility for their child(ren) or youth once they are released from the program or event.

8. Parents/Guardians must complete registration forms for their child(ren) and youth annually.

9. A check-in/out process will be followed for all children and youth programs and events.                                                         

10. Parents/guardians may choose to allow their teen(s) (ages 13-17) to self-release (7) from a program or event.  Youth may only be self-released once indicated in writing by a parent/guardian.  Parents/guardians assume responsibility for their youth once they are self-released from the program or event. 

11.   Off-site event permission forms must be completed by a parent/guardian for all off-site events.

12. Leaders (5) or workers may not date or be romantically involved with child or youth participants.

13. All workers will be issued ID badges and should visibly wear them for the duration of the program or event. Nursery workers must display their badges on the Nursery Worker board.

14. Only workers approved by Pastoral Staff are permitted to take pictures during a Children or Teen Ministry program or event.

15. In the event an allegation of abuse of a child or youth is made, it must be reported immediately to the Ministry Leader or Pastor(s) using the Reporting Guidelines.

* Some of this policy does not apply to South Merrimack Christian Academy activities. Please contact the SMCA Office at 603-880-6832 for a copy of their Student Protection Policy.

References & Definitions

1. Child(ren) – any person(s) between the ages of 0 and 12 years old.

2. Teen(s) / Youth – any person(s) between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.

3. Under certain circumstances, the requirements in section 1a may be waived by a Pastor if the individual has a similar equivalency/good standing at their home church.  An exception form will be completed and retained in a secure location.

4. Merrimack Valley Baptist Church reserves the right to disqualify adult or teen workers from working in Children’s and Teens’ Ministries for any reason.  

5. Good Standing –

a. Regularly attend a weekly worship service (i.e., Sunday Morning, Wednesday Evening, Teen Life, etc.)

b. Active in at least one small group setting (i.e., Life Group, Sunday School Class, Bible Study, Teen Life Small Group, etc.)

c. Not under church discipline

d. Have an active working relationship with a Pastor or Ministry Leader.

6. All applications and background information obtained on workers are confidential and will be properly stored and retained in a secure location.

7. Self-Release – Able to leave a program or event without a parent/guardian present.

8. Leaders – Ministry Leaders, Directors, Coordinators, Teachers

9. Workers – Certified Adult Worker and Certified Teen Worker.

10. Program – A regularly scheduled series of church events.

11. Event – A single church sponsored social occasion or activity.

12. Please see Title XII Public Safety and Welfare Chapter 169-C Child Protection Act at: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xii/169-c/169-c-mrg.htm