I Kept the Workplace Safe. Then I Walked Into a Church.

What 30 years in HR taught me about the safety gaps most ministry leaders have never been asked to close.

Most organizations take safety seriously.

During my decades of serving as a corporate HR Executive and later as an Organizational Strategist for nonprofits, creating safe environments was always top of mind. It wasn’t just good practice; it was responsible leadership.

We asked clear questions and built clear systems so everyone connected to the organization knew how these type of concerns would be handled.

• What is the process for reporting harassment, inappropriate behavior, interpersonal conflict, or situations where someone feels uncomfortable?

• What is the confidential process for investigating concerns and how will disciplinary action be handled if misconduct occurs?

• What is the process to follow in the event of an emergency, including fire, accidents, or a health crisis?

• Are we coordinating quarterly fire drills and actively ensuring the workplace culture models a healthy and safe environment?

  
  

As I reflected on my work in the marketplace, I tried to recall a time, whether in church leadership or while serving on a board, when questions about creating a safe environment were openly discussed and documented in the meeting minutes.

That blank space above was intentional. I was coming up blank. And if you know me, you know that’s unusual, since I have an eidetic memory.

But what isn’t blank in my memory are the countless times my safety was compromised in the church with no one to turn to.

And that realization hit me deeply. Why? Here are two examples:

• Boards were often saturated with decade-long friends, family members, or tight-knit cliques whose primary loyalty was protecting their own interests and the leader in position.

• There was no procedure or accountability for lateness or failure to communice when someone did not show up. This often resulted in one person opening and entering the building alone. (Yes, this really happened.) One Sunday morning I opened the building and later discovered that someone had broken in the night before and had been sleeping on the lower level.

  
  

These are just two of many examples. Sadly, in situations like these, voices of concern were often not taken seriously.

Let me pause here and acknowledge something important. There are close to half a million churches in the United States, and I am not speaking about every single one.

However, can we agree that it is reasonable to expect safety and security in the places where we worship, gather, lead and volunteer? Can we also agree that the business operations of ministry and nonprofit leadership require conversations about structure, accountability, and protection?

If you agree, keep reading! Because I decided to turn that frustration into a solution pastoral and ministry leaders can actually use.

I began applying my experience in building teams, partnerships, and safe environments to support churches, ministries, and mission-driven organizations. Our focus is helping leaders build the infrastructures, policies, and leadership readiness needed to operate safely and responsibly.

So, while we continue to pray that God opens the minds of pastoral leaders and board members, here are a few questions you may want to bring back to your pastor, ministry leader or board for your own peace of mind:

• How do we ensure a safe environment for youth, children, congregants, staff, and visitors?

• What is our screening process to ensure the right people are serving in the right roles safely?

• How is sensitive organizational data and congregation information protected?

• How do we ensure ministries continue operating during unexpected crises?

These conversations are not about criticism. They are about protecting people and strengthening the mission.

If nothing is currently in place, I encourage you to reach out to me directly:

Message Rhonda

Final Thought:

Many churches and ministries are under increasing pressure to protect people, manage risk, and steward trust well. Yet many lack the infrastructure needed to do so effectively. This gap creates unnecessary vulnerability.

This is why, as part of our Shepherding Vision Transformation ecosystem; we are committed to equipping churches and ministries with the governance systems and leadership structure necessary to safeguard people and steward vision responsibly.

If something you read resonated or stirred a question, let’s talk. You can schedule a Leadership Conversation using the link below.

Schedule a Leadership Conversation

More Soon!

P.S. If your objective for 2026 is to move from reactive safety concerns to strategic safety leadership, stay connected so you don’t miss what’s coming next.