By Aaron Earls NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As churches begin to regather and eventually restart their children’s ministry during COVID-19, leaders should keep other unseen dangers in mind—like sex abuse. A Lifeway Research study found more than 1 in 10 Protestant pastors say someone on church staff has sexually harassed a congregation member at some point in the church’s … [Read more...]
Churches Increasingly Use Background Checks to Ensure Safety
By Aaron Earls As churches become aware of potential safety issues, more are signing up for background check services through Lifeway’s OneSource program. “The numbers have increased dramatically since we began our relationship with backgroundchecks.com,” said Lifeway’s Jennie Morris. “On average, we add 160 customers a month.” Since January 2009, more than 16,000 … [Read more...]
More Churches Recognizing Need for Volunteer Screening
By Aaron Earls NASHVILLE, TENN.—Almost half of the background checks requested by churches through Lifeway’s program with backgroundchecks.com reveals some type of criminal offense. Most of those are minor incidents such as speeding tickets, but 21 percent of inquiries discovered misdemeanors or more serious crimes, according to Lifeway’s Jennie Taylor. Since 2008, … [Read more...]
Growing Number of Churches Benefit From Background Checks
By Aaron Earls NASHVILLE, Tenn.—More than 1-in-5 background checks processed by Lifeway’s program with backgroundchecks.com reveals a serious offense. These numbers are part of the reason a growing number of churches use background checks as a way to better protect those involved in the ministry. After a six-year relationship, the number of churches that say they are … [Read more...]
Background check program “helps keep kids safe”
by Aaron Earls NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The man serving snow cones at your Vacation Bible School is a convicted sex offender. That was the news Bill Jones had to deliver to one of the pastors in his association. The pastor came to Jones after learning a volunteer, who had been a “model church member” for two years, may have had a criminal record. “[The pastor] asked if I … [Read more...]
