Churches heavily rely on the help of volunteers. Whether teaching Sunday school or greeting the congregation, volunteers are some of the most important people to make it happen. Since volunteers do so much for your ministry, it’s important that you do your part to ensure that the best people serve your church and community.
Background screening your volunteers is a helpful way to create a healthy and safe environment for all. With the help of Verified First, we’re breaking down why you should screen your volunteers and how to get started with background screening.
Background Screening Protects Vulnerable Populations
Many churches have volunteers who service vulnerable populations like children and the elderly, and you want your congregation to know that their loved ones will be safe in your ministry. Screening your volunteers can help protect those they serve and make sure your volunteers are the right fit to help you fulfill your mission.
These checks will look into a person’s background to shed light on their history and who they are as a person. A volunteer should be vetted for information such as:
- Their status with National Sex Offender Registry
- Any criminal convictions
- If their identity checks out
By knowing this information, you’re verifying that those you have working with children, youth, or elderly are good and trustworthy. It will help identify any threats to these people groups if they exist before they come in contact.
Background Screening Works to Uphold Your Mission
Your church’s mission is at the heart of who you are. You want your volunteers to hold that mission in the highest regard, but it’s hard to know a person’s viewpoint if you don’t know much about them.
Background screening can help you understand where a volunteer is coming from. A background check will provide a comprehensive picture of a person’s life inside and outside of the church. When you choose to run background screens on volunteers, you gain insight into their:
- True identity – A background check will prove that a volunteer is who they claim to be.
- Personal character – Understanding their past will help determine whether they’re presently fit to serve.
- Any previous convictions – Whether major or minor, screening a volunteer’s background will uncover previous convictions.
With this information, you can be sure those who serve in your ministry will uphold your mission. That they’ll care for your congregation.
Getting Started with Background Screening
Getting started with background screening can feel overwhelming. With so many screening options, you might not know where to start. To alleviate some stress, consider utilizing a background screening provider. Verified First is a PBSA-accredited screening company. They offer screening management that integrates directly into Realm, ACS, or PDS through the Verified First browser extension, the VF Connector.
When you utilize ACS Technologies and Verified First, you can choose from à la carte options or specific packages available for many ACS Technologies solutions. For example, these packages include screens for:
- Serving volunteers
- Children and youth volunteers
- Leadership and staff
- Applicant pays serving volunteers
When you utilize screening with Verified First, you’ll have more information to identify the best volunteers and staff members for your organization.
A background check solution tailored to your ministry needs.
Start off the new year right by choosing to screen your volunteers. When you utilize Verified First as your screening partner, you’re working toward establishing your church as a safe environment for all. Find out more on how to get started by visiting Verified First’s website. You can also check out these reasons your church volunteers need background checks.
For more information on background checks, please see our Church Growth Blogs.
Verified First is the leading comprehensive background screening processor partnered with ACS Technologies. Together, we lead the market in knowing how best to help churches manage, grow, and protect their church with easy-to-use, integrated solutions. Verified First has received accreditation and is a member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). This accreditation means Verified First has dedicated itself to providing the highest level of standards. These standards include information security, legal and compliance, client education, researcher and data standards, verification services, and business practices.
