Background Checks
Prior to 2012, the Conference Office would forward requests for background checks from local churches to our service provider. There was always some risk to the conference and the church because of the potential for misplaced requests or reports. These online sites are comparably priced to what the Conference was paying, so there is no longer a financial or service benefit for the Conference to act as a middleman.
In any case, the local church is responsible for getting the individual's written permission, destroying the report after it is no longer needed, and otherwise protecting the confidentiality of the report.
The Safe Spaces Team of the Tennessee Conference recommends the following levels of screening for people engaged in ministry to children, youth and vulnerable adults.
For local church volunteers:
> Social Security Number Trace
> U.S. Criminal Record Indicator, which includes sexual offender records
For local church staff who handle funds:
> Social Security Number Trace
> County Criminal Record Search (county of residence)
> Motor Vehicle Report
> U.S. Criminal Record Indicator
> Consumer Credit Report
For local church volunteers who drive children or youth:
> Social Security Number Trace
> U.S. Criminal Record Indicator, which includes sexual offender records
> Motor Vehicle Report
Additional services may be offered and recommended by individual background check companies.
Click on one of the companies below to get started with screening your volunteers and staff:
> Prices and discounts may vary according the service provider (United Methodist Insurance offers a pricing structure similar to what the Conference previously offered).
> For more information on Church Mutual and their relationship with LexisNexis, please download THIS .PDF