DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (Full Version)

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hjemerson -> DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/2/2008 3:27:28 PM)

I have worked with children over 40 year in the secular world and church area I have been a so suprised when parents /adults in charge do not want to do check on the adults in contact with our children.youth in the church. Why !! My hd is a youth pastor and the one thing we talk about when interviewed for a postion we talk about this and it turn so many off! I Have also work with a couple states in the child protection team so I know the FACTS ! I am and will alway be a mandated reporter for children no matter what state or where i live . So what do you think! As a Christian worker should you give you self for a back ground check?, And should our churchs do them before we allow adults to work with the children and youth?[&:]



TorchHeart -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/2/2008 3:43:18 PM)

I see no problem with churches or other organizations doing background checks on the people who they have working with their young people. We do drug and criminal record checks for other positions where people are put in authority positions for the public (such as law enforcement, health care workers, etc.). Church youth ministry leaders should be no exception. While I'm sure a majority of them are on the straight and narrow, its always possible that someone could be using the church to get close to young people for less-than-respectable reasons.



stellaluna -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/2/2008 3:55:23 PM)

I absolutely think they should have background checks. (I think anyone working with children anywhere should have a background check.)



macokjc -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/2/2008 4:28:19 PM)

I agree - they should have them. When we talked about it in our church, many of the older people were offended at our lack of "trust." I'm sorry, but in this day and age, I think it is important. In some states, the SBI will do free background checks for non-profit organizations. Any reported incident, true or false, can cause financial and emotional ruin to a church.



bluestone -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/2/2008 4:29:45 PM)

my denomination requires it.



GroupW -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/2/2008 4:30:57 PM)

Agreed. It's not that expensive, and most people aren't offended by it. It's also true that if anything should ever happen, a court or a jury is going to want to see that you took reasonable precautions, had sound policies, and exhibited prudent diligence. I think this is one good way to demonstrate a track record of prudence.

It's a good way to avoid problems down the road.



gmc4Jesus -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/2/2008 4:35:18 PM)

You will not get a job in any other field working wtih children without a background check.

While we like to think that no Christian would stoop to such unchristian behavior, the world still exists in the lives of church members and some should not be working with children.

It is extremely harmful for a church to find out that one of it's children's workers has a pedophile past or has just violated one of the children under the church's care. Don't go there. Protect yourself and get a background check on everyone working with youth.

God bless you and give you wisdom as you seek to serve His children.



TrustingGod -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/4/2008 8:43:31 PM)

Our church has been doing background checks for several years. I would guess the only ones offended are those with something to hide. If I were a parent of small children, I would want the checks done - in fact, in today's age, I would require it.



1love1God1way -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/4/2008 8:45:08 PM)

Yes, yes, and yes again, they should all be checked!

Aside from just the obvious reasons. . .

If something DOES happen, and you did NOT check them. . . HUGE liability problem!



PrincessButtercup -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/4/2008 10:49:43 PM)

Yep, I'm all for background checks for children and youth workers.

Every other institution concerning children do background checks. Church is supposed to be a safe place for kids, so YES!

A church I used to be at had a man going on trips with the youth group and ended up doing some bad stuff... You can never be too careful.



MrFribbles -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/4/2008 11:11:39 PM)

I figure if someone doesn't want their background checked, then there's a good reason to not hire them! And inversely, if there's nothing in their background to worry about, then they should be willing to submit to one. I see no reason to not have them, especially considering some of the tragic stories that have happened in the past.



lightshineon -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/4/2008 11:19:06 PM)

yes I do, I am a childrens worker, and I do not mind. Now what I do mind is the qestion sheet that ask very personal questions such as were you ever sexually, emotional, physically abused and such. A bunch of have you evers? I would not fill it out, a background check would suffice for me, and my past is not anyones business, unless I have committed a crime, which I have not ever.



rcjames -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/5/2008 3:42:38 PM)

Everyone in the ministry of a Church; from Senior Pastor to parking lot attendant and everyone in between should be vetted and that vetting includes a full background check.

To do otherwise is to be in violation of this Scripture;

(1Th 5:21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

and

(Eph 4:27) Neither give place to the devil.

Anyone that refuses a background check should be shunned, even it there is nothing in their background that would be considerd offensive.



Thanks
RC



earthless -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/5/2008 4:38:09 PM)

I agree with RC... I am hoping he gives me a seat at his next potluck dinner.



blueshadow -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/5/2008 6:42:30 PM)

When I wanted to go on a missions trip with the youth group I was still a part of, I had to have a background check done because I was 18. That's how required it is for my church. It definitely makes sense to have them done - and I have a copy of the background check somewhere, so if I ever need to furnish one for anything I can!



rcjames -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/5/2008 7:39:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

I agree with RC... I am hoping he gives me a seat at his next potluck dinner.


If you like gravy, bisquits, and bar-b-que baby back ribs.

And let's not forget the obligatory peach and cherry cobbler.

Thasnk
RC



earthless -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/5/2008 9:39:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rcjames

quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

I agree with RC... I am hoping he gives me a seat at his next potluck dinner.


If you like gravy, bisquits, and bar-b-que baby back ribs.

And let's not forget the obligatory peach and cherry cobbler.

Thasnk
RC


That is so me!! [:D]



lightshineon -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/5/2008 9:50:48 PM)

I agree with back ground checks too, but not personal past questions made-up by pastors wife.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/6/2008 9:20:45 PM)

I work for a church, and we require background checks on all who work with children. Even if it was not required by law here, we would still do it.



SonInMe1 -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/7/2008 12:12:31 AM)

Do you think a man applying for a children's ministry is automatically a suspect?

If someone is falsy accused of sexual abuse...is that something a background check will uncover...or will it just say so and so was investigated?



MrFribbles -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/7/2008 12:30:06 AM)

quote:

Do you think a man applying for a children's ministry is automatically a suspect?


I'm not sure if you were asking someone in particular, so if you were, sorry for barging in, heh.
But no, I don't think so. However, it's much better to be safe than sorry, especially with children at risk. And like folks have said on here - if there's nothing to hide, then a background check shouldn't be a problem, right?



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/7/2008 1:20:23 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Do you think a man applying for a children's ministry is automatically a suspect?

If someone is falsy accused of sexual abuse...is that something a background check will uncover...or will it just say so and so was investigated?

To be really honest with you, SonInMe1, I input the information in the computer, print off the results which happen to come out of the copier upside-down, put that information in an envelope, and give it to the pastor of the church I work for. I may be his assistant, but I do not believe I should have access to any such information about their church members.

So far, because of my capacity in the office, I know that all but one person has been accepted into positions, but I do not know why that one person is not working; it could just as well could be based upon her own decision to take another job. It is none of my business.

However, when it comes to criminals that move into the church area, I look at their photos, read what the blotter has to say about them, and give that information to anyone who wants it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Do you think a man applying for a children's ministry is automatically a suspect?
Why would I suspect a man before I would suspect a woman? I don't. In fact, I suspect no one, until I see evidence that raises a question.



SonInMe1 -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/7/2008 6:14:22 AM)

Don't you think most child molestors are men? A man, who wants to work in the nursery, to me, would be somewhat suspect.

My wife accused me 7 times of sexually abusing my kids during our custody battle. Now, I am not sure if that shows up on a bacjground check esspecially since there was absolutly no truth in them but if it is recorded somewhere...and I apply for a position at church that gets a background check...what would you think would happen to me if that information was in there?

Anyone who is even remotely accused of these crimes are guilty no matter the circumstances and...I won't take that chance.



MrFribbles -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/7/2008 10:52:54 AM)

quote:

Don't you think most child molestors are men? A man, who wants to work in the nursery, to me, would be somewhat suspect.


Most rapists are men. Should men never be allowed to work around women?
Come to think of it, most criminals are men. I suppose we should just lock all of us up, just to be safe.
I'm pretty sure what you're describing is a strong gender bias. It's not healthy for any organization to treat someone as a potential menace based solely on their gender, anymore than it's healthy to discriminate based on race. Again, yes, background checks are prudent in these situations, but there's no reason to declare someone guilty before the trial's even started, so to speak.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: DO you think children /youth worker in church should have background checks (7/7/2008 11:37:33 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SonInMe1
Don't you think most child molestors are men? A man, who wants to work in the nursery, to me, would be somewhat suspect.

My wife accused me 7 times of sexually abusing my kids during our custody battle. Now, I am not sure if that shows up on a bacjground check esspecially since there was absolutly no truth in them but if it is recorded somewhere...and I apply for a position at church that gets a background check...what would you think would happen to me if that information was in there?

Anyone who is even remotely accused of these crimes are guilty no matter the circumstances and...I won't take that chance.

SonInMe1, I am sorry you went through that, but I completely agree with MrFribbles, so his answer would be mine.

As far as suspecting a man for wanting to work in a nursery, why would I not suspect, first, that he is a loving father-figure who enjoys and wants to nurture children? We do, in fact, have a male who works in the nursery, and I have no reason whatsoever to suspect him. Furthermore, any prudent organization would not place just one attendant in a nursery; we always have an attendant and a helper or more.

Also, SonInMe1, it disturbs me that you are living with this cloud over your head when it is very likely unnecessary. Unless you were convicted, you extremely likely have no record whatsoever; your name is extremely likely not even on the records. If someone did a check on you, it is likely to show that you are "unknown," meaning that you are innocent before the court system of the state.

This is what I would do if I were you. Do you, through your work, have access to the state database where you were accused? If so, pay the fees and get the information. If you don't, do you have a fully-trusted individual in your church or somewhere else who can do this for you? Explain the situation and ask them to give you the report. It is disgusting and inhumane for anyone to have to live with a false accusation

In the state where I live, these resources are free to churches.



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