Church Volunteer Screening Application

Churches are trusting and often too trusting of individuals who want to work in the church, especially with children.  Churches are so anxious to have people who want to "volunteer" their services to help in the church without considering their past or reasons why they may have an interest.  A prudent church must protect their children, reputation, and its mission by doing everything possible to avoid using anyone who might damage and harm others. 

Full article can be viewed and printed with Word or PDF formats at the links located at the bottom of this page.

Predators seek out the church for two reasons.  First, it is a natural place for children.  Members are trusting and assume the best in every individual.  Predators will prey on this.  Secondly, many churches do not have any plan or policy to do background checks or have volunteers to fill out an application.  Predators usually avoid seeking any further interests other than preying on children. People with a tarnished past may also be reluctant to follow through with information.  Depending on their past (legal issues), some people could still be used in some form of service within the church (not predators!). 

By having information available, it allows the church to provide safety for all its members and helps prepare the church if anyone inside or outside of the church questions the integrity of a volunteer.  It may be impossible to screen and catch 100% of the people but in most cases, especially involving lawsuits, the church that consistently checks out its volunteers, runs background checks, and maintains an adequate safety plan for its people, has been held blameless due to their policy and procedures.  

Pastoral Care, Inc. Staff