Membership Fee
The Ministry Contribution Fee goes towards the BUV operating budget to help cover services and resources such as the Director of Ministries, your Regional Pastor, and the other BUV departments (Communications, Church Health and Capacity Building, Pastoral Leadership, Support and Development, Multicultural, Mission and Ministry) as well as the other committees and events that form […]
Approval for ministry activity
Every ministry, whether a once-off event or an ongoing ministry, should have an “Approval for Ministry” form completed by its leader/s and signed by senior leadership, before going ahead. It is recommended that every ongoing ministry to reviewed annually, to ensure that the program remains physically, emotionally and spiritually safe. Click here to download the […]
Permission Forms
It is strongly recommend that your church hold permission forms regarding to the use of a child’s image – through video, streaming or photographs. Download the sample video/photo permission form for editing to your specific situation Download Video/Photo Permission form It is strongly recommended that your church hold a permission form for each child or […]
Staying safe online
Churches have legal, insurance and ethical obligations to keep people safe while engaging with their church, including while online. This includes situations such as live streaming worship services, online youth events (such as LAN/gaming), and communicating via social media. For information about staying safe online, visit the eSafety website For resources in languages other than […]
Adult/Child Ratios
All ministries should have enough leaders (over age of 18) to ensure that the participants and program is safe. All ministries with children should have two leaders minimum at all times. More leaders, and/or, leaders with higher qualifications and experience will be required for more specialised programs or participants with higher needs The recommended adult/child […]
Food Safety
Hospitality and fellowship involving food is commonplace in churches. Often it is simply a cuppa and a biscuit after church or the serving of communion. At other times churches hold sausage sizzles, pot luck lunches, formal dinners, casual meals at bible study groups, run cake stalls, serve meals to the wider community, sell food as […]
First Aid
Churches have legal obligations to provide first aid facilities and sufficient staff trained in first aid. A rough guideline would be to have one trained first aider for every 50 participants, with a minimum of one per ministry or event. For example- if 200 people attend your Sunday worship service, you should ensure four (4) […]
Reportable Conduct Scheme
The Reportable Conduct Scheme was established to improve organisations’ responses to allegations of harm to children by their workers and volunteers. The Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) is responsible for administering the scheme. If there is an allegation that a staff member, volunteer or contractor of your church has engaged in ‘reportable conduct’ […]
Child Safe Standards
Child Safe Standards legislation outlines action required by organisations to keep children and young people safe. The Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) is responsible for administering the Child Safe Standards legislation. The updated Child Safe Standards came into effect on 1 July 2022. The main change between the prior 7 Standards and the current 11 […]