Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Why is requiring background checks important?

  • December 19, 2021
  • Special to TAB Media
  • Church Life, Family, Featured, Latest News
(Unsplash photo)

Why is requiring background checks important?

By Julie Redmond Donavan
North Shelby Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.

Background checks have become a necessity in children’s ministry over the past 10 to 15 years. It is sad our world has changed so much, but this means we must alter our procedures. As a church, we do want to show trust in people. However, the security of our children outweighs any argument against the requirement of background checks. Since they are a relatively new thing, some do not believe churches should require them for volunteers with children.

Consider these arguments:

I have known these people my entire life, why should they get a background check?

I understand this, and I have no doubt they are wonderful, godly volunteers you know and trust. But the parents might not know them. By requiring background checks for your volunteers, it shows parents you have covered all the bases. Requiring background checks reassures parents their children are in safe hands.

Background checks cost money. What if I don’t have enough in the church budget to secure them for all my volunteers?

Background checks can take up room in your budget but are well worth it. You can also ask people to pay for their own or pay a partial amount. This also allows them to have a little “skin in the game” if the money comes out of their own pocket — it shows they truly want to invest in children’s ministry. In most cases, the church should be able to budget the expense.

A basic background check is relatively inexpensive — but you might be pleasantly surprised how many workers will take on the expense. And it would be a reminder: Volunteering to serve the children of your church is an honor and privilege, even if it costs them something.

Would volunteers feel insulted if I ask them to get a background check or annoyed if they have to provide information?

If someone is insulted or annoyed about filling out a background check, maybe there is another spot in the church for them to serve. Those who protest may be sending up a red flag for you not to consider them for working with children. I am confident most of your volunteers are fully aware of why we do background checks and want to be an example for others. If, on rare occasion, someone asks why, or if your church has not made it a priority, hopefully this will be a help for you to answer questions or help others see the need. A lot of good background check options exist. Volunteers will find these easy options to complete: Protect My Ministry and Verified First.

Church can be a scary place for families, especially when it is their first time visiting. They might not know anyone, and this can give them a little reassurance that you care enough for their children to invest time and money into finding out who is taking care of them.

Background checks help parents feel safe when leaving their children in your hands.

If your church does not carry out background checks on everyone working with minors, my best advice is: “Do not pass go! Do not collect $200. Go directly!” In other words, do it now!

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matt. 18:6

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Mississippi News June 19, 2025
    Mississippi News June 19, 2025
    June 19, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Lawsuit against Dave Ramsey’s company moving forward
    Lawsuit against Dave Ramsey’s company moving forward
    June 19, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Mother in Somalia loses husband, home for following Christ
    Mother in Somalia loses husband, home for following Christ
    June 19, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Lawsuit against Dave Ramsey’s company moving forward

At issue is a “righteous living” policy at Lampo, better known as Ramsey Solutions, which requires employees to abide by Christian values. Those values, Ramsey’s company has argued, include banning intercourse outside of marriage.

Mother in Somalia loses husband, home for following Christ

A mother of three children in Somalia is struggling to survive after her Muslim relatives drove her from their home and threatened to kill her for accepting Christ, she said.

First person: 15 questions for a six-month spiritual checkup

If you haven’t done a spiritual self-reflection yet this year, I encourage you to review the questions in this post to look at your life at an even deeper level. 

Supreme Court upholds TN law banning transgender hormone therapies for minors

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on June 18 in favor of a Tennessee law banning medical treatments and procedures, including puberty blockers, for transgender adolescents seeking gender transition.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel