Safe Church Training Resources

Safe Church

Educating and empowering the people of our diocese (The Diocese of Atlanta) is central to creating and maintaining churches and activities that are safe for everyone. We use Safeguarding God’s Children and Safeguarding God’s People training materials produced by the Church Pension Group in partnership with Praesidium, Inc.

Please note that all of these required trainings are currently being offered both virtually and in-person. Please email admin@stmartins.org with any questions.

Safeguarding God’s Children

Safeguarding God’s Children (SGC) is a training program that provides participants information they need to protect the children they know and care for in their personal lives and in the ministries in which they serve. Safeguarding God's Children has updated policies, adding information on inclusion. See the updated policies here.

Safeguarding God’s Children training is required for Clergy, volunteers age 16 or older who work with children, Vestry members, pre-school and school teachers, music directors and musicians who work with children and youth, and paid church camp staff.

Safeguarding God’s People

Safeguarding God’s People (SGP) is a training program that provides training designed to help participants understand the overt and the subtle, the intentional and unintentional, ways in which exploitation and harassment occur in church, school, and institutional settings. The aim of the training is to prevent exploitation and harassment by making everyone more aware of her/his words, actions, and intentions as we engage together in ministry.

Safeguarding God’s People training is required for Clergy, church employees, Vestry members, lay pastoral care ministers (including Stephen Ministers), spiritual directors, Eucharistic visitors, hospital visitors authorized by the church, leaders and facilitators of all adult programs and small group ministries, seminarians, interns, and lay chaplains.

Dismantling Racism

Dismantling Racism training seeks to increase racial understanding, healing, and reconciliation. It is offered several times throughout the year.

Dismantling Racism training is required for all parish Clergy and all lay leaders, including Vestry members. Trainings are offered by the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing.