Abuse Prevention

All of us like to think of our churches as safe places. Sadly, many predators take advantage of the trusting and open environment within a church. It is essential that each and every CBWC church take active steps to prevent physical, emotional and sexual abuse within our congregations.
The Preventing Abuse in the Church manual helps churches develop policies and procedures that will protect children, youth and vulnerable adults from abuse.
Advent and Lent
Lent is a time for self reflection and repentance. It begins on Ash Wednesday and runs until Maundy Thursday each year.
Resources:
—Subscribe to Biola University’s 2024 Lent Project for daily readings delivered to your email in-box here. Each day of the Lent Project features a Scripture passage, a devotional written by a member of the Biola community, a work of fine art, a poem, and a piece of music.
—Subscribe to New Leaf Network’s Meditations on Lent 2024.
—A Collection of Lent Reflections
—Recommended Books:
40 Days Living the Jesus Creed
The Seven Last Words from the Cross
Lent and Easter Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen
—Recommended Articles:
https://gravityleadership.com/how-to-lean-into-lent/
https://gravityleadership.com/how-to-fast-for-lent/
—Podcasts:
https://gravityleadership.com/podcast/why-and-how-to-fast-for-lent/
—2021 Holy Week video preaching series available here.
We have compiled some resources for Advent readers, Candle readings, and Christmas Eve services. Please view these on our Advent page.

Baptism

Through Jesus, we are saved, transformed, forgiven, and given new life and purpose in Jesus. Baptism is symbolic of all these things and publicly shows that we’re serious about following God. Baptism is also a sign of entering the church; God adopts you as His child, giving you new brothers and sisters in the family of believers.
Because we come to faith through a free, personal decision, we practice the baptism of believers. We do not practice infant baptism, reserving baptism for adults and young people mature enough to make a fully conscious and committed decision. Following Biblical example and modeling the life, death and resurrection of Christ, we baptize by full immersion.
Here are some helps for teaching about baptism and how to enfold new children into the congregation:
Board Essentials

Video Series Now Available!
Help your Church Board, Elders Council or Leadership Team grow in best practices for good governance and employment in your church with our new video series, coming soon for free!
This series of short videos can guide you on subjects ranging from protecting the vulnerable to filing reports with the CRA. We hope you’ll schedule a few minutes into each of your 2024/2025 Church Board Meetings to engage these brief primers on practical elements of church leadership and administration.
Boards
Church boards have a crucial role in the Body of Christ, as they discern God’s will for the leadership and mission of the local church. Contact your Regional Minister for support in electing a board, and download this helpful resource:
