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RSO Policy — Cheat Sheet

Registered Sex Offender (RSO) Policy — Cheat Sheet

Source: The Summit Church RSO Attendance & Membership Policy

Three Priorities Held in Tension

  1. Safety of children
  2. Peace of mind for parents
  3. Worship and fellowship for those under RSO status

Forgiveness in Christ is full; consequences of past sin still shape pastoral care.

Three Requirements of the Individual under RSO Status

  1. Sign a release of information with everyone in their rehabilitative care or legal accountability team (parole officer, therapist, case manager) so the elders can speak with them.
  2. No presence in children’s or student ministries — ever, even after RSO status is removed. May not check children in. May not attend an event where the person they harmed (or their family) is present.
  3. Shepherding presence required at every service or event — a non-family approved individual within sight and casual conversation distance, with check-in/check-out at a discrete location.

Pastoral Intake Interview — What Elders Listen For

  • Willingness to discuss the offense; ability to tell the story without minimizing, blame-shifting, or excusing
  • Active engagement in counseling/recovery and a clear understanding of legal restrictions and probation
  • Whether any victim or victim’s family attends Mayflower (protect against re-traumatization)
  • Tone and disposition: stoic, angry, defensive, ashamed, or remorseful
  • Read the public RSO listing and related news before the interview to gauge completeness of disclosure

Signed Attendance Agreement — 16 Conditions in Brief

  • Assigned a Mayflower Shepherding Elder who oversees pastoral care and ensures this agreement is followed.
  • Full cooperation with all legal-case expectations, if any (probation or parole officer, case manager, certified sex offender treatment therapist, or other stipulated expectations).
  • Legal expectations, names and contacts of overseeing professionals, and a signed release of information provided to the Shepherding Elder.
  • If currently under probation, parole, or other supervision, written supervising-officer approval to attend, with a copy to the Shepherding Elder. If not under supervision, that fact confirmed in writing to the Shepherding Elder.
  • RSO profile link emailed to the Senior Pastor, the Board of Elders, the Discipletown Leader, the Nursery Team Leader, the First Impressions Ministry Leader, and the Office Manager.
  • Never attend any Mayflower service or activity without the Shepherding Elder or a lay shepherd approved in writing. If neither is available, do not attend.
  • Check in on arrival at the location agreed with the Shepherding Elder. Check out before leaving.
  • No service in any Mayflower ministry without prior written approval from the Shepherding Elder.
  • All children’s and youth areas (Discipletown rooms, Nursery, any youth area) off limits at all times, even if own children are attending. Will not supervise children’s activities, enter designated children’s areas, or serve in Discipletown, Nursery, or any youth ministry.
  • No Mayflower Bible Fellowship Group at which children are present, and no visit to a Mayflower home where children are present, without the parent first knowing the history and giving permission.
  • Promptly leave any area on Mayflower property where children are present, except a populated foyer, the sanctuary, or an area where five or more adults are also present.
  • Promptly leave any area if an Elder, Pastor, Deacon, or lay shepherd requests it.
  • No physical contact with any child at Mayflower other than their own (including sitting next to, holding, or being hugged or kissed). If a child other than their own approaches, politely acknowledge and promptly leave.
  • Stay within casual-conversation distance of the Shepherding Elder or approved lay shepherd at Mayflower, including when going to the restroom (shepherd waits in the foyer outside the restroom).
  • Shepherding Elder will fully cooperate with any legal inquiry and provide the sign-in/sign-out records if requested.
  • Follow any directions given by the Shepherding Elder or an approved lay shepherd.

I understand the above conditions. I submit to these conditions and wish to attend Mayflower Church. I submit to my Shepherding Elder. I accept that if I break any of the above conditions, I will no longer be permitted at any Mayflower location or activity, and that Mayflower may issue a written 'No Trespass' order (Section 8).

Who Knows About the Arrangement

Senior Pastor, Board of Elders, Discipletown Leader, Nursery Team Leader, First Impressions Ministry Leader, and the Office Manager. Not broadcast to the wider congregation.

Mayflower Church — Operations Reference — April 2026

Aligned to the 2026-08-17 attorney-final policy (16 conditions).

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