New Child/ Parent Policy

Notice of New Policy

Dear Parents and Guardians of Divine Empowerment Church,

At Divine Empowerment Church, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and responsible environment for all, especially our children and youth. To uphold our core values of safety, respect, responsibility, honor, and understanding of leadership, we are implementing new rules for children ages 10 to 18, effective immediately as of July 23, 2025.

These changes are in response to a recent incident where two girls were in a restroom stall together for an extended period and, when asked to come out, displayed unacceptable disrespect toward a church leader. When parents were informed, the matter was not handled appropriately, necessitating stricter guidelines to ensure accountability and safety.

The following rules will now be enforced with no exceptions:

1. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian upon entering the restroom and must request permission from a parent, usher, or security member beforehand.

2. No children, whether boys or girls, are allowed to be in restroom stalls together, and restroom doors will remain open at all times.

3. Upon entering the sanctuary, children must be seated with a parent or guardian.

4. Any child displaying disrespect or having an issue with an adult leader will be required to attend a meeting with their parent, who will be held accountable for their child's actions and words.

5. No food or items may be taken from the church, including from the youth teen center or livestream center, without permission. Children must ask an adult, and parents will need to sign for their child to receive food.

   
   

We urge parents to have open conversations with your children about their behavior, both at church and beyond. This includes discussing the serious legal consequences of sexting or sending inappropriate photos or messages, even between minors. Under Florida law, minors who engage in such activities can face severe penalties, including:

• Florida Statute § 827.071 – It is a felony to possess, produce, or distribute any image or video of a minor engaged in sexual conduct. Even if the images are self-created and shared among peers, they are considered child pornography under Florida law.

  
  

• Florida Statute § 847.0138 – It is illegal to transmit material harmful to minors, such as explicit images or messages, via electronic means. This includes sexting, and violators—including minors—may face third-degree felony charges.

  
  

• Florida Statute § 784.048 – Repeated sexting or digital harassment can be charged as cyberstalking or aggravated stalking, especially if it causes emotional distress or includes a credible threat. This is a serious offense and can result in jail time and felony status.

  
  

These offenses, even when committed by minors, can lead to juvenile court proceedings and, in some cases, adult felony charges for teens ages 16–17. Certain crimes, like transmitting child pornography, may also result in mandatory sex offender registration. Parents, please take time to review these laws with your children to help prevent actions that could severely impact their future and harm others.

To reinforce these expectations, we are calling a mandatory meeting for all parents and guardians of children ages 10 to 18 to discuss these rules and address any questions. Details of the meeting will be shared soon. Divine Empowerment Church reserves the right to post or share this notice publicly to ensure all parents are informed and to maintain a safe environment for our community.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our campus safe. Please ensure you know where your children are at all times and hold them accountable for their actions, words, and respect toward leadership.

With Love, Your Pastors,Lead Pastor Roosevelt McClary & Co-Pastor Jami McClary

Policy Acknowledgement and Agreement Form

By signing below, I acknowledge that:

• I have received, read, and understand the Notice of New Policy issued by Spirit Life Church regarding safety, supervision, and behavior expectations for children ages 10 to 18. 

• I understand that these policies are effective immediately and must be followed without exception.

• I agree to uphold these policies by ensuring my child(ren) understand and comply with the rules, including restroom use, seating, food consent, and respect toward leadership.

• I understand that Spirit Life Church may enforce disciplinary action, including meetings, suspension from youth areas, or removal from church premises if necessary.

• I understand the legal penalties associated with serious behaviors discussed in the notice and will take personal responsibility to guide my child(ren) accordingly.

• I release Spirit Life Church, its leaders, and staff from liability arising from enforcement of this policy, understanding it is intended to maintain a safe and respectful environment.

This signed acknowledgment will be kept on file by Divine Empowerment Church © administration