Local Congregations and Background Checks

One of the hot topics on the website from 2011 has been background checks. One of the main reasons for this has been my belief on how important they are. I feel that they sever as both a deterrent and an accountability system for screening workers that will be around our children and working with our money. I found the below list today from the Dioceses of Texas. I thought that it served as a good check list when thinking about who should be checked. This is not an exhaustive list, but a good starting point...


Local congregations must do the checks for: 

1. All paid employees (full- and part-time) 

2. All nursery workers (paid or volunteer) 

3. Volunteers who regularly supervise youth activities 

4. Any volunteer who supervises an overnight youth event 

5. Camp counselors

6. Persons having financial responsibility, i.e., posting to ledgers, writing/signing checks are also required to have a credit check. (Requires Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Disclosure and Release Form)

7. Persons transporting children will be required to have a driving records check.

NOTICE: All Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teachers, leaders, and directors will need to have background checks and Safeguarding God’s Children training.

Click for Background Check Information sponsored by securityatchurch.com