Not every church is called to minister to convicted sex offenders. When churches minister to sex offenders, they must implement a careful grace that is based upon an educated understanding of offenders and how they act. A careful grace starts with putting the needs of children and survivors first. A careful grace embraces the reality that actions must have consequences. A careful grace requires church leaders and workers to be trained in child protection, and our churches to have clear and effective safeguarding policies and procedures. Only within a context of careful grace can churches effectively care for sex offenders.

Don’t miss this webinar from attorney Rob Showers who instructs church leaders to redemptively shepherd the offender while still protecting the vulnerable. This takes intentional leadership and shrewd management to steward a tension that will exist in your ministry.

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Robert Showers co-founded Simms Showers, a Baltimore, Maryland-based law firm, in 2002 as a principal partner and now heads up the firm’s new Northern Virginia/Metropolitan D.C. office. His practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation and church, nonprofit, and business law. Showers regularly handles numerous lawsuits for and against churches, nonprofits, and small businesses. He also provides guidance on a variety of matters, including risk management, tax exemption, land use, and employment issues to defend against current or future legal liability.

Showers has served hundreds of churches, denominations, and nonprofits nationwide throughout his career, including the Southern Baptist Convention, the Assemblies of God, the Presbyterian Church of America, Americans United for Life, and Youth With a Mission. Prior to entering private practice in 1989, Showers served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and served as Executive Director of the National Obscenity Enforcement Unit (NOEU), later called the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), within the US Department of Justice.

Showers sits on numerous boards. He serves as past president on the national board of directors of Christian Legal Society, and as chairman of Gateway Community Church. He previously served as a member of the Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee.

Showers earned his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1980. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1977.