Safeguarding in a Christian context is gospel work – it is an expression of our love for God and for each other, and in particular our response to the command to ‘Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly before our God (Micah 6:8).
When we are ‘doing’ safeguarding we are not just filling in forms or following procedures. No-one was ever protected simply by a piece of paper! Following procedures is vital but it is not at the heart of what safeguarding is about. Fundamentally safeguarding is about the use and misuse of power and the protection of the vulnerable. Safeguarding is at the heart of our Christian faith which believes that each person is made in the image of God but also acknowledges our fallibility and our capacity for sin.
A Christian approach to safeguarding recognises both these things – each person is made in the image of God and yet human nature renders everyone, even those whom we consider ‘good’ capable of causing harm to others. As Christians, therefore, we approach safeguarding with a commitment to protect people from harm, especially when they are vulnerable – and with a realistic view of what even apparently good people are capable of.
Scripture repeatedly points us towards those for whom God has particular concern – the widow, the orphan, the stranger, those who are marginalised and often powerless (Isaiah 1:17; Leviticus 19:33). Proverbs 31:8 calls us to speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable be they children or adults. The needs of the vulnerable were at the heart of Jesus’ ministry and they need to be at the heart of ours too.
Kate Gerrish Parish Safeguarding Officer