1.9 Personal formation: the interior life of a safeguarding minister

Safeguarding is not only outward policy. It is inward formation. The interior disciplines of a safeguarding minister include:

Humility

You accept that:

• you can be wrong
• you can be manipulated
• you can miss warning signs
• you need accountability and supervision

Humility is a protection.

Self-knowledge

You recognise your vulnerabilities:

• need to be liked
• conflict avoidance
• flattery response
• saviour complex
• fear of scandal
• anger or impulsivity
• overconfidence in your discernment

A safeguarding minister does not pretend to be above temptation or bias. He builds safeguards because he is human.

Emotional sobriety

Safeguarding requires calm presence. Emotional sobriety means:

• you can hear distress without becoming chaotic
• you can act without needing to be the hero
• you can hold steady without freezing
• you can tolerate ambiguity whilst process unfolds

Prayer that does not replace action

Prayer belongs in ministry. But prayer is not a substitute for reporting, safety planning, record discipline, or lawful cooperation. Prayer and action belong together.