Safeguarding the Vulnerable: A Church That Protects and Heals

Text: Hebrews 10:11-25 & Mark 13:1-8

Recent events have shaken us, haven’t they? The resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury over safeguarding issues has left us questioning: Is the church truly safe? Can we trust our leaders to protect the vulnerable?

The devastating revelations of abuse — from John Smyth’s manipulation of young people to countless other abuses — are a stark reminder of how far we’ve fallen. The church, a place meant to heal, has become a place of harm for too many.

But here’s the truth: We can do better.  We must do better.

Today, we turn to the Scriptures. We are called to be a community where Christ’s love is more than words. It’s justice. It’s safety. It’s healing. And yes, it’s accountability. This is not a suggestion. It’s a command.

The letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Christ’s perfect sacrifice brings us redemption. You will probably know that that’s a theology I have questions about – but, let’s take it at face value for today.  The point is that the foundational sacrifice of Christ is not just for our individual salvation — it’s about the whole body of Christ. The church must reflect His care for the broken. His protection of the vulnerable. His commitment to justice.

The writer to the Hebrews says that “By a single offering, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Christ’s sacrifice covers us all. And because of it, the church must be a place of refuge for all. A sanctuary. A safe haven for the hurting.

So, what does that look like? It’s more than policies. It’s a culture. A culture where compassion is the norm. Where transparency isn’t a buzzword, but a way of life. Where accountability is non-negotiable.

Every person in our care is precious. Every person. No one is beyond Christ’s love. No one should ever feel unsafe in His house.

Hebrews urges us to draw near to God with a “true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). But it’s not just about individual faith. We are called to stir one another to “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24-25). The church isn’t just a place for personal growth. It’s a place where we protect and strengthen one another. Where we stand together, shoulder to shoulder.

For those who have suffered abuse, the church must be a place of protection — but also of healing. Too often, we’ve failed to act. Too often, we’ve turned a blind eye. The consequences are devastating. When leaders don’t protect the vulnerable, when they turn their faces away from abuse, the church becomes a place of trauma. Not healing.

So, how do we rebuild trust? How do we make the church a true sanctuary once more?

We create a culture where safeguarding is a top priority. Where leadership is accountable. Where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. And most importantly, we listen to those who have been harmed. We believe them. We support them.

In today’s Gospel (Mark 13), Jesus warns us about false messiahs. These aren’t just impostors in the traditional sense. These are abusers — people who exploit trust for personal gain. They may not wear a false crown, but they wear a mask of authority. And they lead others astray.

We’ve seen this all too many times. Mega-church pastors. Leaders of movements. All exposed for their abuses — financial, emotional, sexual. Recently, the founder of Soul Survivor in the UK was forced to step down after such revelations.

Jesus calls us to beware of these false messiahs. Because, just as abuse corrupts, so does the desire for power. Power misused is not the Gospel. Christ came to serve, not to control. To heal, not to harm.

So we must be vigilant. No one in the church should use their position to exploit others. No one. And when it happens, we expose it. We root it out. We do not tolerate it.

But to those who have suffered, we say: We hear you. We believe you. We are committed to doing better.  The church must be a place where victims are believed, where pain is acknowledged, and where healing is possible.

Christ calls us to be agents of reconciliation. The church isn’t a museum for perfect people; it’s a hospital for the broken. But for healing to happen, it requires safe spaces. Spaces where people can come as they are. No fear. Only hope.

Let’s commit to safeguarding the vulnerable. To standing against abuse. To creating a culture where all are treated with dignity, where all are protected, where all are loved. Let’s respond positively to those requests for safeguarding training, and for criminal records checks.  And let’s keep constantly alert to the possibility of abuse, whether physical, financial, emotional or spiritual.

May we be a church where the love of Christ is not just preached, but lived in how we protect, serve, and heal one another.  Amen.