Common questions.

The Safe Church Project is a faith-based initiative dedicated to rebuilding trust in the Church by creating visible pathways to spiritually safe, trauma-informed, gospel-centered communities rooted in truth, dignity, and love. It serves the Church through two pathways: the Safe Church Directory and the Sanctuary Certified™ formation program.

Many faithful Christians love Jesus deeply but have experienced harm, silencing, or displacement within church environments where power was prioritized over people and safety was not upheld. We exist to help people find communities where Christ alone is Lord and where the Church’s witness reflects humility, integrity, and care for the vulnerable.

No. The Safe Church Project is not affiliated with any political party or ideology. Our work is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the conviction that every person is created in the Image of God. We focus on spiritual safety, dignity, accountability, and faithfulness to Christ — not partisan alignment.

A spiritually safe church centers allegiance to Jesus Christ above power or ideology, rejects spiritual abuse, coercion, and authoritarian leadership, practices accountability and humility, treats all people with dignity and care, and responds to harm with truth, protection, and responsibility. Safety does not mean perfection. It means integrity, accountability, and a commitment to growth.

Churches may be included through multiple independent community recommendations and/or leadership verification affirming alignment with Safe Church Project values. Each submission is reviewed thoughtfully. Inclusion reflects alignment at the time of review and may be withdrawn if alignment is no longer demonstrated.

No. Churches are never charged for inclusion in the Safe Church Project Directory. Financial support helps sustain the infrastructure, review process, and educational work of the Safe Church Project, but giving has no influence on listings or rankings.

No. Inclusion reflects alignment with core commitments to spiritual safety, dignity, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. It does not imply agreement on every theological or cultural issue.

Inclusion reflects alignment at the time of review, not ongoing oversight. If concerns arise, we encourage individuals to prioritize their safety and seek appropriate pastoral, therapeutic, or legal support. The Safe Church Project does not provide crisis intervention or adjudicate disputes.

Yes. If credible concerns arise indicating misalignment with our stated values, listings may be reviewed or removed in order to protect the integrity and safety of the directory.

The Safe Church Project Directory identifies alignment with core values. Sanctuary Certified™ is a deeper, structured process of training, accountability, and trauma-informed formation for churches that want to go further — building a culture of safety from the inside out. Sanctuary Certified™ curriculum is coming in 2027.

The Safe Church Project is sustained through educational initiatives, curriculum engagement, and the voluntary support of individuals who believe the Church’s witness matters. No church pays for inclusion, and no listing is influenced by financial giving. This work exists to provide pathways, not profit.