Squirt guns can’t fight all fires.

Imagine a pastor going out and purchasing the absolute cheapest fire extinguishers he could find just to say that he had taken steps to protect his congregation from fire. Would you feel safe leaving your children in a building protected only by squirt guns and boxes of baking soda?

All fire extinguishers are not the same and pastors who want to protect their congregations spend the money needed to provide the right safety measures.

Just like fire extinguishers, not all background checks are the same.  Many times, churches only look at the cost of background checks and unintentionally purchase a squirt gun instead of a fire hose.  Most often you get what you pay for.

Just like having the right equipment in place to protect from fires, we must have the right steps in place to protect our children and youth from sexual predators.  You cannot skimp on this protection.  A child might not ever recover from such abuse.  The reputation and resources of your ministry could be destroyed.  The risks are too great. 

Background check pricing can run anywhere from $8 to $200 each, depending on how much information you want.  I’m not suggesting that any church spend $200 per background check but do want to caution from only using the $8 ones.

The cheapest background checks are only searching for the most basic information and could miss an arrest that occurred outside of a very limited scope.  We recommend a comprehensive background check that goes beyond your local municipalities.

Let’s look at the different kinds of background checks.

Criminal Background Checks: These are crucial for identifying any past criminal activities. They typically include searches for felonies, misdemeanors, and any other relevant criminal records. Some checks are national, while others might be state or local.  Find a background check that reviews all three.

Sex Offender Registry Checks: These check the national or state sex offender registries to ensure that individuals working with children are not registered sex offenders.

Child Abuse Registry Checks: Some states have specific data bases for individuals with a history of child abuse or neglect. Checking these registries helps ensure that individuals with such backgrounds are not involved in children's programs.

Motor Vehicle Records(MVR) Checks: For individuals who will be transporting children, checking their driving records is important to ensure there are no concerning issues, such as DUIs or recklessdriving.

Employment History Verification: Verifying previous employment can help identify any prior issues related to working with children, though this might be less critical for volunteers compared to paid staff.

Churches often use a combination of these checks as part of a comprehensive screening process. It's also common for churches to require regular renewals and updates to these background checks to maintain ongoing safety and compliance.  We recommend every three years for all volunteers over 18 years of age.

Churches should also check with their insurance providers.  Many policies require background checks and outline the types and frequency.

Protecting your children and youth must be one of your greatest priorities. This is not an area to be cheap in. Pay for proper background checks and know that you are doing all you can to provide safe spaces for young people to experience Christ.