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Safe Sanctuary

Creating a community of care.

Buncombe Street Methodist Church is a spiritual community, which takes very seriously its responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment not only for children, youth, and vulnerable adults, but for everyone who participates in our ministries including volunteers, staff, and community partners. We do this through the implementation of a Safe Sanctuary Policy. As someone who is a participant, member, or community partner, we invite you to familiarize yourself with our policy and help us to implement these practices to create a community of care.

Safe Sanctuary Policy

If you are interested in volunteering in a Buncombe Street ministry that works directly with children, youth, and/or vulnerable adults, you will need to take several steps to become Safe Sanctuary Certified. Below is a list of ministry areas and the Staff Ministry Leads that can assist you in any step of the certification process.

• Children (ages 0-5th grade) – Katie Kizer
• Youth (6th-12th grade) – Kristen Harris
• Missions & Outreach – Mignon Fowler
• Congregational Care – Rev. Grover Putnam
• Music & Arts – Vance Jenkins
• Church Staff – Debbie Friddle
• Downtown Child Development Center – Wanda Arnold
• Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) – Katie Kizer
• Other – Chris Ashley

Steps to Become Safe Sanctuary Certified

1. Complete an Application to Serve in Ministry with details about yourself and 3 character references. A Staff Ministry Lead will contact you to guide you through the next steps.
2. Participate in an interview with the Staff Ministry Lead who will discuss the many ways your gifts can be used in that ministry area.
3. Authorize BSMC to complete a background screening. The screening is free of charge and results are kept confidential.
4. Read our Safe Sanctuary Policy and acknowledge that you have received and read it.
5. Attend Safe Sanctuary Training, held in-person and virtually throughout the year. If you are unable to attend a training session before your scheduled volunteer engagement, please contact your Staff Ministry Lead for the self-paced video module.

Steps to maintain or renew your Safe Sanctuary Certification

1. Attend a Safe Sanctuary training session annually
2. Authorize a background screening every 3 years

Steps to become an Authorized Driver for Buncombe Street vehicles

1. Complete a New Driver Form annually
2. Provide a copy of a current SC Driver’s License and a copy of a current personal insurance card to the Assistant Bookkeeper, Debbie Friddle
3. Participate in a Bus Driving Training Course

 Steps for our Community Partners

If you are an agency or community ministry partner that wants to either work with Buncombe Street children, youth, and/or vulnerable adults or wants to host your own program at our facilities, please follow the steps below. We appreciate your commitment to provide a community of care with us.

1. Read the Safe Sanctuary Policy and acknowledge that your organization/agency has received and read it
2. Provide a copy of your organization/agency’s insurance policy to the Assistant Bookkeeper, Debbie Friddle
3. Partner with the church to implement the Safe Sanctuary policies with special attention to Section V: Supervision Guidelines

Safe Sanctuary Resources

Safe Sanctuary Policy 2024

New Driver Form

Incident Report Form