West Coast Church Challenges Insurance Company on How to Treat Sex Offenders in the Congregation

West Coast Church Challenges Insurance Company on How to Treat Sex Offenders in the Congregation

Medford churchgoer Dave Schmidt, 66, a convicted sex offender, says prayer helps him stay focused on God. But Set Free Christian Fellowship’s insurance company has threatened to pull its coverage if strict requirements on Schmidt’s attendance aren'’t met, requirements the church argues will only encourage sex offenders to go underground. 

Pastor Chad McComas of Set Free Christian Fellowship in Medford tells Mail Tribune (http://bit.ly/Kwrbs3) the church disclosed that known sex offenders were in the congregation. He says the church received a letter from Church Mutual insurance company demanding that the church disclose the identity of all sex offenders.

 

The insurance company also says the church must limit offenders to one predetermined service each week and assign them an escort.

 

McComas says the church is careful but that the requirements lump all offenders together and will encourage abusers to go underground.

 

Church Mutual vice president of marketing Patrick Moreland says the rules are designed to protect churches and potential victims.

 

SOURCE: The Associated Press

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