Fingerprinting
can be done at your local police department. Some police
departments will come to your group and do everyone at once. The cost is
generally around $30 for processing.
By Ronald Kelly
Most congregations have instituted a children's ministry. Many are organizing programs for teenagers to replace the Youth Opportunities United (YOU) program.
Often, these are combined into a youth ministry. As is the case with any program, enthusiastic volunteers are essential to the success of the programs.
As the church promotes youth ministries, we must be certain that caring and talented people are encouraged to use their gifts to inspire the youths of the church. But with that comes an appropriate care and concern that the right people are working with our youths.
Sad to say, we have learned from other churches and from experience in our own fellowship that we must take this issue seriously.
It takes only one mistake to create a tragedy. Who can forget the terrible killing of schoolchildren in Dunblane, Scotland, in March? It was carried out by a disturbed youth worker, a former boy scout leader who operated his own youth gymnastics program. Unfortunately, we occasionally read of other tragedies committed by youth workers.
We have decided that we should standardize our volunteer selection process based on appropriate concern for parents and youths of the church.
Many congregations have already used forms sent out from Pasadena the past few years. If a pastor has these forms on file from a present youth worker, the youth worker does not need to fill out a new form.
However, if a pastor does not have forms on file, or if he has new volunteers, the new form must be completed. (This applies to U.S. churches. Regional directors will set policies in their regions.)
Each pastor should maintain a file for every volunteer who works with youth programs. Theses forms should not be sent to headquarters or to the regional pastor, but be maintained as a part of the local congregation files.
The screening process involves the two following procedures:
1. Completing a Youth Volunteer Application form.
The new form has been modeled after forms that other denominations have used effectively. We are sending the form to all pastors.
Toward the end of the application is a required applicant signature. This portion of the application grants permission for the church pastor, or his representative, to check references.
The pastor or the appointed youth ministry coordinator must contact the references listed on the application.
When requesting information from a reference, the pastor may need to make a copy of this portion of the application to assure the contact person that they have the applicant's permission to give out this information.
2. Fingerprinting the applicant.
All adults working with babies, children or teens must be fingerprinted and checked for child-abuse convictions. This applies to previous applicants who have an application on file and are currently serving, as well as to new volunteers. It also applies to ministers.
Fingerprinting
can be done at your local police department. Some police
departments will come to your group and do everyone at once. The cost is
generally around $30 for processing.
The pastor or a representative can contact local law enforcement agencies for their specific requirements.
Because all youth ministry volunteers at the Feast of Tabernacles sites must be screened before the Festival, we ask that those interested in serving in a youth ministry begin immediately.
Pastors will need to prepare a list of all volunteers who have completed the forms and are approved to work with youths.
Ronald Kelly is manager of Pastoral Development in Church Administration.
VOLUNTEER EFFORT--Michael Arguien (right), preschool coordinator in the Pasadena children's church, chats with youngsters during snack time. The church plans children's church programs at Festival sites in 1996. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]
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Copyright © Worldwide Church of God,1996