Safe Gatherings FAQs

Are there pre-requisites to taking the Safe Gatherings certification class?

Yes. There are pre-requisites.

• You must be 16 years of age in order to be certified.
• You must complete all required paperwork, which includes two references one each from a clergy person and a lay person who have known you for at least two years.
• You must pay the required fee.
• You must complete the online course within 30 days.
   

As a clergy member who does not work with children or youth, do I need to be certified?

Yes. All clergy are required to be certified in Safe Gatherings.

How do churches benefit from the Safe Gatherings online program?

This program allows churches to offer training to volunteers at any time and to verify those who are certified from their church. Clergy receive and can return completed references online and the process time is shortened compared to a non-online format.

How long is Safe Gatherings certification valid?

Certification is valid for four years.

How old must one be to be Safe Gatherings certified?

You must be 16 or older in order to be certified to serve within the Great Plains Conference. Those younger than 16 years old can still serve in a ministry area but they must serve with a certified worker who is at least 5 years older.

I am not a member of the UMC but am required to be Safe Gatherings certified because my organization uses space when children are present. Who do I contact to complete my reference forms?

The pastor of the church you are attending can complete the reference. If you do not have a pastor, list an employer, or professional, who has known you a minimum of two years. A non-profit agency where you have served can provide a reference. He/she will be contacted to confirm their relationship with you. The United Methodist pastor where the ministry takes place will still be notified and asked to indicate if there is any reason why you should not serve within the local church or conference.

I don't know of a pastor who can sign my clergy reference form. What should I do?

As an alternative, you may ask a ministry director in the church where you will serve who has known you for two years. If that is not possible, ask a non-profit director, an employer, a teacher or a coach where you have previously served to complete the form. Please note that the pastor in the church where the ministry takes place will be notified.

No. The need for consistency in background checks and the training required for certification does not allow this.

If an individual was already certified in the Kansas East, Kansas West or Nebraska Conference, will their certification be in compliance with the new Safe Gatherings Program?

Yes. All individuals certified in Boundary Awareness (Kansas West), Safe and Sacred Space (Kansas East) or Safe Sanctuaries (Nebraska) are compliant until the date their current certification expires. They must then take the Safe Gatherings course to be in compliance with the requirements of both conferences.

If an individual was certified as a worker or instructor in the Kansas East, Kansas West or Nebraska Conference, is their certification in compliance with the Safe Gatherings Program?

Yes. All people certified in Boundary Awareness (Kansas West), Safe and Sacred Space (Kansas East) or Safe Sanctuaries (Nebraska) are compliant until the date their current certification expires. They must then take the Safe Gatherings course to be in compliance with the requirements of each conference.