In 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their hastiness to bring disputes to court. First Corinthians 6:7-8 says, “To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud your own brothers!” Why do we care so little for our fellow man that we are so quick to bring them to court? We should be more willing to allow ourselves to suffer than to cause the suffering of someone else.
As sad as it is that we live in a society that cares so little for each other, this mentality has made it necessary for youth workers to be mindful of the risks of youth ministry. There are multiple ways you can defend against lawsuits, starting with training, waivers and keeping parents informed.
Training is the best way not only to avoid the courtroom but also to keep your kids safe. If you decide to go rock climbing, you would be foolish to allow your kids to climb a rock wall without trained staff. Apply this to all that you do with your youth group. If you decide to go do anything that could be at all dangerous for the participants, make sure you can supply experienced professionals to ensure the safe and smooth execution of the activities.
Waiver forms are not only helpful, but sometimes can be legally required for certain activities. These forms help gather any information needed in the event of an emergency, as well as keep you out of the courtroom. It is always useful to know any allergies that the kids in your youth group may have; in an emergency, medical information is crucial. On top of helping a youth leader be prepared, waiver forms also do a great job of keeping parents informed of any potential dangers their children may be exposed to when participating in activities.
One of the most important things to a parent who has a child in your youth group is staying informed. When a child potentially could be exposed to danger under your care, it is crucial to make sure parents are aware of those possible dangers. If a parent is not aware that you are ziplining and a child is injured, they will be much more upset than they would be had they not had prior knowledge preceding the incident. Parents love to be kept up to date and informed, and it always will be better for them to remain informed by you as opposed to anyone else, especially the kids.
A youth worker should be concerned about the safety of the kids placed under his or her care. Due to the society that we live in, it is necessary to take preliminary actions to keep all involved parties out of the courtroom. The number one job of a youth worker not only is to reflect the love of Christ onto the children but onto the the families, as well. One way we can show that love is by letting them know we care for the kids spiritually and practically.
