Safe Church Training
By providing a Safe Church training program, we assist congregations and other bodies to promote high standards of ethical behaviour and care for all, especially for children and others in vulnerable circumstances. Our training is part of the LCA’s commitment to reflecting God’s love through the way we treat each other and those who come into contact with our church.
Safe Church Training
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Role |
| ✔ | ✔ | Pastor |
| ✔ | ✔ | General Church Board member |
| ✔ | ✔ | Board chair/council chair or their representative |
| ✔ | ✔ | Safe Church Coordinator, ministry leader, person in key decision-making position (e.g. Sunday school superintendent) |
| ✔ | ✔ | Member of Lutheran Church of New Zealand Council of Synod |
| (✔) | (✔) | Employee/volunteer, where and as specified in their position description |
| ✔ | Pastor emeritus in active service | |
| ✔ | Board member/council member/committee member/district or general synod delegate | |
| ✔ | Chaplain/elder/pastoral assistant/lay reader/lay worship leader | |
| ✔ | Person (paid or volunteer) who engages with children or vulnerable persons as part of their ministry/position | |
| (✔) | Congregation members welcome (not required) |
- All Safe Church Training is valid for three years
- The suggested order for Safe Church Training is to complete Level 1 – Induction & Safeguarding (or provide evidence of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)) within the last three years before commencing Level 2.
Level 1
Self-paced online via iLearn or live online
- Induction
Recognition of prior learning – Valuing Safe Communities (VSC) full version for school staff - online and face-to-face training - Safeguarding
Recognition of prior learning – accredited child protection course
Level 2
Self-paced online via iLearn or live online
Face-to-face workshops were phased out in 2024.
Contact the Professional Standards team for more information.
Registration
Click on the accordion tabs below for more information, registration links and details.
If you are uncertain about the best option to select, or if none of the options below suit you, please contact the Professional Standards team
Safe Church Self-paced Online Training – registration
Safe Church Live Online Webinar
Uncomfortable topics
Some topics covered in the Safe Church training may raise sensitivities for you.
Before engaging in this training, please ensure you have a trusted person you can talk to about such topics. This might be a friend or a medical professional. The free helplines to the right may also be useful.
If you are feeling apprehensive about attempting any part of the Safe Church training, you are certainly welcome to get in touch with the Professional Standards team to figure out the best training approach for you and your individual circumstances.
You can find contact details on our Professional Standards homepage.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Prior learning is currently recognised in relation to Level 1 training requirements.
Level 1: Induction
Lutheran Education Australia’s course for staff in Lutheran schools, Valuing Safe Communities, is recognised as aligning with Safe Church Level 1: Induction.
Level 1: Safeguarding
In relation to this part of the Level 1 training, there is recognition of other similar courses in the area of safeguarding.
If you would like more information about recognition of prior learning, please contact the Professional Standards team.
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