Safe Church Training
A Message from The Right Reverend E. Mark Stevenson:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John 13:34.
At our baptism, we made vows to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to respect the dignity of every human being. As we follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we strive to love others as Jesus himself does. Because of the depth of our commitment to living the way of love, we in the Diocese of Virginia require that all clergy, lay leaders, staff, and volunteers be trained in the awareness and prevention of sexual misconduct against children, youth, and adults. We also require that those who have already been trained renew and refresh their training at least every three years. May this training be a blessing to you as you continue in ministry to and with children, youth, and adults in this diocese and beyond.
Faithfully yours,
The Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson
Bishop of Virginia
Safe Church, Safe Communities is a series of online learning courses facilitated by Praesidium Academy. These courses provide participants with information needed to build and sustain healthy relationships within a ministry context. Completing the required courses is a fundamental way in which we welcome and care for all people. Each congregation will identify an individual who will be responsible for Safe Church recordkeeping and tracking, ensuring that training is updated every three years.
Contact the Canon to the Ordinary regarding any Safe Church violations by lay persons. Diocesan Title IV Intake Officers will receive notification of violations by clergy.
Getting Started
First-time Learners
- Go to praesidiumacademy.com/redeem.
- Create a new account with your contact information, email address, and password.
- Enter the appropriate registration code for your church.
- Validate the registration code, agree to the Terms & Conditions, and redeem your account.
- Answer the registration questions about your status and role within the organization.
- Use the documents below to identify and complete the courses required for your ministry role.
Returning Learners
Sign in at praesidiumacademy.com to begin or continue training modules. The required-course guide links directly to course content in Praesidium Academy; you must be logged into your Praesidium Academy account for access.
August 2026 Safe Church Documents
- Safe Church Training Matrix EDOV.xlsx – role/course matrix showing required training by ministry role.
- EDOV Praesidium Academy Safe Church Required Course - Final.pdf – required Praesidium Academy course list, revised August 19, 2026.
- Policy Manual -Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention and Response - Final.pdf – diocesan policy manual, updated August 2026.
Required Training by Role
Use the Safe Church Training Matrix and Required Courses guide to confirm the courses for your role. Roles covered in the August 2026 documents include:
- Clergy, including bishops, priests, deacons, retired clergy, postulants, and seminarians
- Elected leaders, including treasurers, vestry, wardens, convention delegates, Standing Committee, and Executive Committee
- Lay leadership and licensed lay ministers, including lay eucharistic visitors, small group leaders, Stephen Ministers, and unpaid church staff
- Licensed lay leadership serving as lay eucharistic ministers
- Children’s ministry workers and volunteers
- Youth ministry workers and volunteers
- Other church youth and children’s ministries, including day camp staff, VBS volunteers, sleepover chaperones, and adult leaders or volunteers for chartered scouting troops
- Paid church staff, including choir/music directors, secretaries, administrative support, vergers, sextons, and administrators
- Key holders, including altar guild, building hosts, and renters
- Shrine Mont camp staff
For Safeguarding God’s People, complete the course for workers or the course for managers and supervisors based on whether you have supervisory responsibilities.
Certificates and Renewal
- Clergy should keep a copy of their certificate and submit copies to the diocese and to the parish or institution they serve.
- Laypersons should keep a copy of their certificate and submit a copy to their parish.
- Those unable to present documentation when requested must retake training.
- Training must be renewed after three years. Parishes may require more frequent renewal at the discretion of the rector.
Safe Church Transcript
Once you have completed your Safe Church training online, you can print or export your transcript from your Praesidium account. Keep a copy for yourself and give a copy to your church for its records.
To find your transcript:
- Sign in to your Praesidium account.
- Click the down arrow in the right-hand corner next to your name.
- Choose Transcript.
- Print or export your transcript.
Policy Manual
The August 2026 policy manual includes diocesan policy, definitions, training and screening guidance, warning signs and prevention strategies, reporting guidance, and parish-level response information.
Contact Information for any additional questions regarding Misconduct Prevention Training and Background Checks:
Nerissa Crockett, Project Manager
Email address: ncrockett@episcopalvirginia.org
Phone Number: 804-643-8451 x1023