Overview of Volunteer Application Process Application To protect vulnerable people and to be protected from liability, the church must take reasonable action in screening and supervising the volunteers involved in any work with children, youth, or other vulnerable people. Therefore, every prospective ministry leader—including established or long-time members of this church—must complete the volunteer application form. The volunteer application form is critical in protecting the church from legal action if a case or accusation of abuse occurs in which a church volunteer is involved. A court can find the church legally liable if it is less than systematic and therefore negligent in screening volunteers. By having prospective volunteers fill out a volunteer application form, the church greatly reduces the potential for abuse and the resultant liability. The pastor of a congregation or another designated leader will monitor the application process and keep forms and information in a secure file. Interview Two authorized people then interview each prospective volunteer. The interviewers can ask follow-up questions and questions of clarification. The information given in the interview will be available only to the interviewers and the pastor or other designated leader. The interview also gives the prospective volunteer the opportunity to ask questions about children's ministries and the reasons behind child-protection procedures. Reference Check Volunteers are asked to provide three references from the following list:
At least two of these references will be contacted. The person making the contacts, the date, and a summary of the reference's comments will become part of the individual's file. Police Records Check The church reserves the right to ask for a police records check for volunteers. (All salaried staff submit to a police records check for their own protection and for the protection of the church.) A police records check will be required in those instances where someone is a new resident or unknown to the church community or where an applicant's references cannot be fully verified. Minors (under 16 years of age) are exempt from a police records check. The church will pay for the cost of a police records check. The police records check report is to be brought to the pastor or designated leader. If there is no criminal record, the volunteer may be considered for ongoing service in the church. If there is a criminal record or information that raises concern, the pastor and ministry leader will meet with the volunteer to discuss and resolve the matter. If the offense is other than child or sexual abuse, the volunteer may proceed with ministry in the church provided both the pastor and ministry leader agree. The following are criteria to consider when evaluating the information:
If any offense is related to the abuse of children or is of a sexual nature, the prospective volunteer will not be approved for ministry with children, youth, or vulnerable people in the church. Will religious conversion make a difference for someone who has been guilty of past abuse? No. Occasionally, a person may freely admit to a prior incident, but insist that since then, he or she has had a conversion experience and now presents no risk. The safest course is to encourage such an individual to work in the church, but in a position not involving access to children, youth, or other vulnerable people. This is a reasonable accommodation of the individual's desire to serve in the church. A church that permits such an individual to work with children, youth, or other vulnerable people, on the basis of the professed religious conversion, will have a virtually indefensible position should another incident of abuse occur. The defense—that the abuser claimed to have been converted—would likely be viewed with derision by a civil court. Putting a known abuser in a position involving access to children, youth, or other vulnerable people is taking an enormous risk. The information contained in the police records check report is considered strictly confidential. Only the pastor and council chairperson or the manager or director of a church ministry or office can be privy to the information. Approval The pastor or designated leader will review all volunteer application materials, which will be kept in a confidential, secure file for a minimum of seven years.    Develop a Volunteer Training ProgramDiscover key principles for training—including what's really needed, what's really feasible, and tips on how to do training well.  Starting a New ChurchTake steps that will help a new church become an enduring success. Growing Volunteers Team members need growth opportunities that help them reach their God-given potential.  An Open Letter to the Search CommitteeHow can you make this process more humane?
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