Although the research indicated different denominations leading in specific CSA prevention steps, there was no definite denomination leading in overall CSA prevention within the research study. There were other factors to consider. One factor would be that if a larger sample was studied, the factor of denomination influence could be changed. Another factor to consider was that the numbers could change in a different geographical location. Still, another concern was that some denominations were not represented in this study.
The researcher noted that the United Methodist Church seemed to be most proactive in providing assistance to their churches. One leader shared, "United Methodist Church has resources and staff to train and assist in child protection policies. Churches are reviewed annually as to their planning and implementation." More denominations need to consider assistance for their churches. Churches need guidance in CSA
prevention. The guidance provided by the denomination could bring answers to the many concerns of church leaders. The denomination would assist in providing necessary training needed for church leaders with the financial support of the denomination available to churches.
Research Applications and Recommendations
The current research study considered present applications and
recommendations for further research. The study ends with a strong petition to the reader that more research would be required on this critical concern for the church.
Research Applications of the Findings
The research findings serve to inform Christian educators, church leaders, volunteers, parents of minors, and clergy that CSA has been a critical concern within the church. The church needs to protect its youngest members. It was the hope of the
researcher that leaders would begin to seek educational opportunities, to begin learning about CSA, and learn how to prevent such occurrences of abuse. The following list revealed the implications that could be applied from the research.
1. CSA has become a crisis within religious organizations.
2. Churches must awaken to understand, comprehend, and consider the crisis of CSA.
3. Church leaders need to exhibit wisdom not just knowledge ofCSA prevention.
4. CSA prevention education should be required for current and future church leaders in higher education.
5. A practical hands-on type of workshop would assist church leaders in developing CSA prevention steps for local churches.
6. All denominations need to establish assistance for implementation of CSA prevention steps.
7. Development of new materials should be considered for churches to educate their congregation on the issue of CSA prevention.
8. Continued research should be considered in the field of CSA prevention within the church.
Research Recommendations for the Church
The church has four areas to consider:
1. The Crisis of the Church;
2. The Call of the Church;
3. The Challenge for the Church; and 4. The Change for the Church.
These four areas would alert the church to be proactive in CSA prevention.
Church leaders must move beyond knowledge of CSA prevention and into wisdom so prevention steps could be established within churches.
The Crisis of the Church
The Crisis of the Church has been heard throughout the precedent literature of research. The stories were true. The names have been hidden to protect the innocent, but the stories were about real people facing the consequences of sin inflicted upon them by the actions of child sexual abuse. History and society has cultivated the crisis. It has built the crisis layer upon layer throughout generations. The victims have suffered and
continue to suffer at the hands of the church. The children cried out in agony and the church passed by ignoring the biblical story, The Good Samaritan.
The crisis will not fade away. The church cannot hide from the crisis. The crisis stands at the door of the church and has even entered into the sacred places in
which members worship. Yes, there has been and continues to be, a crisis within the organized church. There has been chaos and confusion for the victim, but chaos and confusion have also been present in the church. The chaos has turned to fear and the confusion has set in wondering how the crisis has increased throughout the years.
Questions have surfaced. Answers need to be presented. Will the church respond to the crisis?
The Call of the Church
The Call of the Church begins with one single person accepting the call to begin prevention strategy within the church. The call would be for leaders who have a heart to listen to victims sharing their pain and frustration from abuse. Leaders need to be willing to heed the call of restoration and healing within their own lives, before they can minister to others around them that have been hurt. A call has been extended to all
leaders of every Christian denomination. No one should be exempt from the call of Christ to be vessels of healing and restoration to the victims, families, and churches.
If church leaders ignore the call, many victims would remain broken and wounded. Christian leaders have an opportunity to bring healing and restoration. The opportunity has been placed before church leaders. Leaders can no longer sit by while . abuse continues throughout churches. A voice calls to leaders, the voice of Christ, calling
leaders to Himself so that they can experience healing in their own lives. When leaders have experienced the healing power of Christ, then they can bring others to the Master who heals all wounds. The church can be the hand of Christ reaching out to those suffering and in pain. Will the church be ready to hear the call?
The Challenge for the Church
The Challenge for the Church would be to establish policy and procedures for the protection of children, youth, and other vulnerable members. Establishment of such policies would not be the only challenge. Follow through in implementation of policies and procedures have been the real challenge for the church. According to precedent literature there have been some resources to assist a church to begin the process of child sexual abuse prevention. Resources have been found such as: books, training manuals, videos, dvd's, and online sources. The challenge would not be "What should the church do about CSA?," but "When will the church begin to implement the steps of prevention?"
Each church, no matter its size, needs to establish some kind of guideline, policy and procedure to protect the younger members of the church. Every church has the capability of providing some type of protection. The church needs to start with one area of prevention and begin to make progress in this critical area of the church. The challenge may seem overwhelming at first, but any accomplishment starts with one step. Will the church step up to the challenge?
The Change for the Church
The Change for the Church has been evident. Churches need a new way of thinking regarding safety procedures within its structured walls. The church must be willing to change it's thoughts about child sexual abuse and embrace the change needed so that all attending the church would be safe. Change would bring new life to the deadly denial that has existed in the past history of the church. Change would not always be easy, but it would be necessary for the church.
Change occurs by educating others within the church regarding the facts of child sexual abuse. Instead of refusing to talk about the sensitive issue, the church needs to take the initiative in the conversation. It needs to be the forerunner for the
conversations and education, even within the community. Healing and restoration has been long overdue for the victim and only through Jesus Christ can the victim experience true healing from past traumas and painful memories. Christ can revive the broken spirit and bring healing to the wounded spirit. Change for the Church would be required so that the victim may experience healing through a safe environment within the church. Support groups would be provided to assist people through the healing stages of the journey.
Counseling referrals should be ready for those dealing with extremely painful memories and trauma. Will the church become a change agent so that victims can be prevented and for those already afflicted, that they may be healed?
A Final Quotation
Kempe influenced a generation of his time, and yet his words ring true today,
"Prevention is not far away, given the right amount of effort and priority setting by all those concerned with this field" (Helfer and Kempe 1976, xx).
Further Research
The following could be models of further research on the subject.
1. Future research could be use of the same research instrument with another seminary to see if the results would be comparable.
2. Future research could be to measure the levels of denial among parents and church leaders, then to compare and correlate levels of denial within the two groups.
3. Future research could be to use the same research instrument, delete the higher education area, add more statements to the Likert response scale and survey any.
number of church leaders for a broader base of research.
4. Future research could be to use the same research instrument, delete the higher education area, add more statements to the Likert response scale and survey any number of church leaders in two or more denominations for comparison.
5. Future research could be to use the section on what hinders churches and leaders as a beginning to another research instrument for dealing with hindrances.
EXPERT PANEL
The following were members of the expert panel selected to determine the quality and effectiveness of the research instrument. All of the expert panel members had leadership qualities that assisted the researcher in the process of establishing a good research instrument. All of the expert panel members were from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio.
Members of the Expert Panel
Eugene Gibbs, Ph.D., Professor of Christian Education brought expert advice in the field of Christian education and research. Dr. Gibbs had researched other concerns within Christian education.
Elaine Heath, Ph.D., Director of Doctor of Ministry brought expert advice in the field of domestic violence and child sexual abuse. Dr. Heath understood the
sensitive subject of child sexual abuse.
Douglas Little, Ph.D., Professor of Counseling Emeritus brought expert advice in the field of research and principles of research. Dr. Little had worked with colleges, universities, and seminaries on research concerns.
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