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Nazarene Safe™ Screening

Many people think screening is completed by ordering a criminal background check. Though a criminal background check is important, it is not a stand-alone safety system.

Careful screening of all staff members and adult volunteers involved in church programs for minors helps reduce the risk of sexual abuse in ministry programs. The screening process should include use of a written application, reference checks, a criminal background check, and an interview.

Sample screening forms and instructional materials for their use are available to MinistrySafe members, including sample application forms for employees and volunteers, sample interview forms, sample reference forms and more. Click here to learn more about membership.

The purpose of this information is to raise abuse awareness and provide a resource for developing appropriate guidelines and procedures for protecting minors and preventing sexual misconduct in the church.
As relevant laws vary, districts and local churches are responsible for ensuring compliance with the specific legal requirements for their locality and situation. Nazarene Safe™ resources are made available as a starting point only. The resources Nazarene Safe™ provides are not warranted to comply with the legal requirements of any particular state or locale and are not intended to be used "as is" without appropriate adaptations to ensure material compliance with applicable law. Local churches should consult their insurance carrier and legal counsel for guidance when developing and implementing a safety plan.