Registered Sex Offender Policy

This policy is designed to meet three goals:

1. To ensure a safe environment for anyone attending our church.
2. To provide peace of mind for parents.
3. To allow everyone opportunities to worship, including those under registered sex offender
(RSO) status. Please note that the church does not guarantee that services will be
provided for persons with RSO status. If the required number of volunteers is not
available to provide services, then none will be offered.

This policy affirms that all are sinners and that to those who repent, God offers full forgiveness because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Though those forgiven may be freed from ongoing shame, forgiveness does not mean the removal of all the implications or consequences of past sin.

Requirements of the Policy:
1. Persons with RSO status are not allowed to attend any FBCA event until they agree to
adhere to the protocols below and the conditions stated in the Attendance Agreement.
Until the conditions below are met, they may worship online by streaming our Sunday
morning worship service.
2. Persons with RSO status are not to be present or involved in First Baptist Church of
Arkadelphia’s (FBCA) children or student ministries. This restriction includes (if applicable) checking their children in for children/student ministry events. This restriction will persist even if RSO status is removed.
3. Persons with RSO status cannot attend events where children are present, or any event
where someone they harmed or their family is present.
4. Persons with RSO status may only attend one predetermined event per week. The congregation will be informed that a RSO is in attendance.
5. Persons with RSO status are required to have a shepherding presence whenever attending the allowed predetermined service at FBCA. The FBCA Safety Team will assign a shepherd. These individuals cannot be family members of one with RSO status, but we do want them to be people that they know, trust, and like. In function, these individuals should be viewed as supportive friends.

Persons with RSO status must meet their shepherd(s) in person when arriving at their
allowed predetermined event. Prior to attending, persons with RSO status are
responsible for contacting one of the appointed shepherds and making arrangements to
meet that shepherd before entering church property. If no shepherds are available on a
given day, participation that day would be limited to watching the service online.
After the allowed predetermined event, persons with RSO status will check out with their
shepherd. Between these times, this shepherding individual will be within sight lines at
all times.