Background checks?

[Luna1991]

We don't do checks, but from memory I think you sign something to say that you have no criminal history, and agree to a police check should it be requested or whatever.

We do have to go though a safe ministry program, though, and do a refresher course of the program every 2 years I think it is.

And no, I don't think it's wrong to do them, particularly in larger churches were not everyone knows everyone so well.

 

[lvmangione]

Yes.
I don't think it's wrong just to make sure the children are protected.

 

[kingdom4kids]

Absolutely! No one picks a baby sitter and leaves kids alone without knowing them. Same concept here.

Pat Davis
kidsministers.com

 

[John 1720]

Does your Children's Ministry do criminal checks on people who volunteer to be teachers or work with the children? If so, do you think it is wrong to do so?

Yes, we do. Before anyone can work with children we require background checks. We also require them to be members of the Church for at least six months, and the path to membership also takes some time. So we usually know them awhile before being allowed to work with the kids. We also have two teachers in the classroom. Our ministry workers don't mind this extra steps of safety and all agree with it. I've had one every year I've coached teams for my town in order to work with kids so I don't see this as problematic for the Church also. This is just a necessity of living in a broken world.
Jesus told us to watch out for false prophet's in disguise and I think we would also do well to assure the children's safety by being vigilant of our children's ministry as well.
Anyhow that is my two cents worth on the topic,
In Christ, John 1720