Sexual Abuse of Children in the Churches of God

Sexual Abuse of Children in the COG

A statement reportedly made previously at a Church of God summer camp—that ministers have higher authority than campers’ parents—should raise serious concerns for any Christian parent. If the intent was simply to explain that camp staff had temporary authority to enforce rules, supervise activities, and ensure safety that might be understandable. Every school and camp operates that way. However, if the statement was meant to imply that ministers possess greater spiritual or moral authority than parents, it directly conflicts with the biblical pattern. Scripture consistently places the primary responsibility for raising children on parents, not church leaders (Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:1–4). Church leaders are called to serve and shepherd, not replace or override parental authority (1 Peter 5:2–3).

This matters because child protection experts have long documented how abuse can develop in environments where authority is misunderstood or overstated. Offenders in trusted positions often use authority, influence, and spiritual language to shift a child’s trust away from parents and toward the adult in control. This process is commonly described as grooming. While a statement about authority alone does not prove wrongdoing or intent to harm, it can still create an unhealthy dynamic if children are taught that a minister’s authority supersedes their parents’. That kind of framing can discourage children from speaking openly with their parents or questioning inappropriate behavior.

The history of abuse in many churches (including the COG) makes clarity on this issue essential. Investigations across multiple denominations have shown that harm is more likely to persist when authority is concentrated, unquestioned, or handled internally rather than transparently. For that reason, churches must be careful never to communicate that spiritual leaders outrank parents in a child’s life. Healthy ministry strengthens family trust rather than weakening it.

Parents in all churches should teach children that they can always speak openly about anything that makes them uncomfortable and that no adult—minister, teacher, or counselor—should ever ask them to keep secrets from their parents. If a child raises concerns that may involve abuse or criminal behavior, parents should listen carefully, take it seriously, and report it directly to law enforcement or child protective services. Criminal allegations require independent investigation. Protecting children is not disloyalty to the church; rather it is a basic responsibility of loving parents and an act of obedience to God’s will.
Please email this blog post to all parents that you know in the COG!

Aristophanes

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Resources:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
General information on abuse, reporting, and warning signs
https://www.rainn.org/

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Child safety, exploitation prevention, reporting resources
https://www.missingkids.org/

GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment)
Independent investigations and abuse prevention in churches
https://www.netgrace.org/