We know that churches want every child to have a good time at church and, hopefully, hear the Gospel and be saved. However, it is vitally important that churches never tolerate consistently excessive problematic behavior from any child, particularly if the behavior is violent.
A Louisiana appellate court recently ruled that a lawsuit against a church could go forward. The charge? That the Christian school should be held responsible for a child’s injuries caused by another child with a history of violent behavior, such as hitting and kicking other students.
This case moving forward is monumental. Churches and Christian schools need to understand that the potential exists for them to be held liable if they don’t observe and adequately address violent behavior in their minor attendees. This is just one more reason why we here at CLA strongly recommend that every church require adequate adult supervision in every child’s class. If staffing is inadequate, don’t offer the class.
Every church should also routinely create documentation of every incident of bad behavior. Additionally, churches definitely have the option to ask parents to keep children with them in the adult services if problematic behavior continues.
Please don’t neglect these simple preventive measures to protect your ministry.