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christian counseling today
Vol. 20 no. 4
T
he Bible contains numerous
references to the value of fel-
lowship and accountability
among believers. Church-
based spiritual care small group pro-
gramming can encourage and strengthen
individuals by providing hope, spiritual
growth and emotional healing. Church
leaders are encouraged to understand
the following key legal and ethical
issues, and take relevant risk manage-
ment steps to protect the church, minis-
try workers and small group attendees.
Screening, Training and
Supervising of Small Group
Facilitators
Church leaders should consider devel-
oping written screening guidelines to
assure that small group facilitators are
spiritually mature believers who have
relevant life experience to lead the small
group topics that are assigned to them.
Other recommended screening proto-
cols include: (1) an application form
that, in part, documents a prospec-
tive facilitator’s relevant background
experience, personal testimony and
requests the names of two to three per-
sonal references; (2) reference checks;
(3) a criminal and Child Protective
Services background check; and (4) a
personal interview with each prospec-
tive facilitator. In addition, training and
supervision of small group facilitators
are essential for ensuring safe, biblical
and effective spiritual care programming.
Well-organized training and supervision
addresses: (1) small group curriculum
and resources; (2) group dynamics and
facilitation methods (e.g., guidelines
regarding crosstalk and feedback); and
(3) general administrative protocols.
Confidentiality
Church leaders should assure that facili-
tators and attendees clearly understand
confidentiality in the spiritual care small
group context. Ethical Standard 1-630-b
of the 2014
AACC Code of Ethic
s states,
in part, “Christian counselors do not
promise or guarantee confidentiality
in family and group counseling, but
rather explain the problems and limits
of keeping confidences…. We commu-
nicate the importance of confidentiality
and encourage family or group mem-
bers to honor it, including discussions
of consequences for its breach….” The
principles set forth in Ethical Standard
ES1-630-b are prudent for church-based
spiritual care small groups, even though
facilitators may only moderate discus-
sion and not provide counseling. The
development of a spiritual care small
group participation form is encouraged
that, in part, explains the parameters of
confidentiality in the small group.
Guarding Against
Sexual Misconduct
Steps should be taken by church lead-
ers to deter sexual misconduct and false
allegations of sexual misconduct in small
group settings. For instance, consider:
(1) disallowing dating between small
group facilitators and attendees; and
(2) requiring small group facilitators to
have meetings at the church rather than
their homes or the homes of small group
members. In addition, small group
ministry supervisors are encouraged to
maintain regular meetings with their
facilitators to monitor group activi-
ties and any issues that may arise (e.g.,
«
john sandy, J.D.
law, ethics & liability
Risk Management for Church-based
Spiritual Care Groups
“… and let us consider how to stimulate one another
to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own
assembling together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another….”
– Hebrews 10:24-25 (NASB)