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A MESSAGE FROM
Resources for Background Checks for U.S. MCC Churches "It is vital that churches engage in a practice of
screening employees and volunteers. The mere fact that a church has such
practices in place can steer a potential violator away from your
ministries. Conducting background checks can eliminate those who have ever
been convicted of crimes that would disqualify them from working with
children and youth."
June 2005 Dear MCC Leader: Many churches have contacted our offices asking for information on how to perform background checks on student clergy, employees, and church volunteers. I would like to share a resource with you that provides criminal and sex offender screening for $17 USD - less than half the cost of what most background screening companies charge. Metropolitan Community Churches requires background checks on all student clergy and strongly recommends that churches conduct criminal and sex offender checks on all church employees and volunteers- especially volunteers who work with minors. Many of us share a critique of America’s criminal justice system and our cultural obsession with security. As spiritual and organizational leaders, however, we are morally and legally responsible for performing due diligence. A criminal background check is usually performed separately from a sex offender search. Your church should always request both types of searches. Many states in the US have searchable online sex offender and felony registries that are free of charge. Your search should include nationwide databases- or at minimum all counties in which the person has resided. Metropolitan Community Churches has contracted with Trak-1 technology services to provide our member churches with special discounted pricing on background screening. More information on Trak-1 is available online at www.trak-1.com A service agreement form is available upon request by writing to info@MCCchurch.org. To sign up simply complete the agreement and return it via fax to Trak-1. Trak-1 Features: -- Instant On-Line Results -- Includes a national search for felonies, misdemeanors, convictions from every state that has a database and available on-line instantly. -- User Friendly System -- Full Tech Support -- No Monthly Minimums -- Set-up fee waived as a MCC member congregation For
more information, or for specific questions about
this system please contact:
___________________________ Other Background Check Resources:
Church-Screening.com PO Box 1408 Visalia, CA 93279 800-392-4811 Fax: 559-553-8869 Secure Point – National Church Safety Program - Choice
Point
13950 Ballantyne Corporate Place, suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28277-2712 1-800-403-4750 The Safe Churches Project
Background Information Systems, Inc. 10501 N. Central Suite 309 Dallas, Texas 75231 www.safechurches.com Other Resources:
Faith Trust Institute www.faithtrustinstitute.org
Offers training, curriculum, and articles related to sex abuse in churches and domestic violence in the home. MCC Judiciary Process and MCC Code of Conduct-
details MCC’s reporting procedures for clergy misconduct. (MCC
Intranet-Clergy Manual and Forms
United Church of Christ Safe Churches Project
Includes a bibliography of resources, and sample procedures for local
church use. http://www.ucc.org/ministries/safe/index.html
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