Purpose: Risen Church is committed to providing a safe, secure, and Christ-centered environment for every individual who attends, serves, or participates in the ministries of the church. Background screening is one of several measures used to help protect children, youth, vulnerable individuals, church members, volunteers, employees, guests, and the integrity of the ministry.
Completion of a background check does not guarantee an individual's suitability or eligibility for ministry service. Likewise, the existence of a criminal record does not necessarily result in automatic disqualification. Except where an offense or circumstance requires disqualification under applicable law or church policy, each situation will be evaluated individually based upon the responsibilities and level of trust associated with the position.
Individuals Required to Complete a Background Check
Background checks are required for individuals serving in designated ministries and positions, including, but not limited to:
rGeneration (Children's Ministry)
rTeens (Youth Ministry)
Safety Team
Facilities Team Leaders
Any individual designated by the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Directors, Board of Directors, or other authorized church leadership.
Risen Church reserves the right to require a background check for any volunteer, leader, employee, contractor, or other individual serving on behalf of the church when deemed appropriate based upon the nature and responsibilities of the position.
An individual may not begin serving in a position requiring a background check until the required screening process has been completed and the individual has been approved to serve.
Background Check Process
Individuals required to complete a background check will be instructed to:
1. Visit risen-church.org/dreamteam.
2. Select the Background Check button.
3. Complete and submit the requested background check information.
4. Follow the instructions provided by Risen Church and/or its authorized background-screening provider to complete the required disclosure, authorization, and screening process.
5. After the initial request is submitted, the individual may receive an email from Risen Church's authorized background-screening provider containing a secure link to provide additional information and complete any required authorization.
The individual is responsible for completing all required steps within the timeframe communicated by the church.
Failure or refusal to complete the required background-screening process will make the individual ineligible to serve in any position for which a background check is required.
Background Check Administration
Background checks will be administered through a background-screening provider approved by Risen Church.
Completed reports will only be reviewed by individuals specifically authorized by Risen Church leadership to review confidential background-screening information. This may include designated Administrators, Directors, the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, and/or members of the Board of Directors, as appropriate.
When additional review is necessary, authorized leadership may consult with other appropriate church leadership, legal counsel, the background-screening provider, or other professionals as necessary.
The applicable Team Leader will ordinarily receive only the individual's ministry eligibility status and will not receive the individual's detailed background report.
Eligibility may be communicated as:
1. Approved to Serve
2. Pending Further Review
3. Not Approved to Serve
Eligibility Determination
Background check results will be evaluated in relation to the responsibilities and level of trust associated with the ministry position.
When permitted by applicable law and church policy, factors considered may include:
1. The nature and gravity of the offense or conduct.
2. The length of time since the offense or conduct occurred.
3. The nature and responsibilities of the ministry position.
4. The relationship between the offense and the duties of the position.
5. The individual's age at the time of the offense, when appropriate.
6. Evidence of rehabilitation or subsequent conduct.
7. Patterns or repeated incidents of concerning behavior.
8. The safety and well-being of children, youth, vulnerable individuals, volunteers, members, guests, and the community.
9. Any other relevant factors deemed appropriate by authorized church leadership.
Certain criminal offenses, findings, or other information may disqualify an individual from serving in ministries involving children, youth, vulnerable individuals, finances, security, facilities access, transportation, or other positions of significant trust.
Risen Church may determine that an individual is eligible to serve in one ministry or position but is not eligible to serve in another based upon the nature and responsibilities of the position.
Final ministry placement and eligibility decisions are made by authorized Risen Church leadership, subject to applicable law.
Confidentiality
Background-screening information will be treated as confidential and will only be accessed by individuals authorized by Risen Church who have a legitimate need to review the information.
Background reports and related documentation will be maintained securely and handled in accordance with applicable law and church confidentiality procedures.
Team Leaders and other ministry personnel who do not require access to the report will ordinarily be informed only of the individual's eligibility status:
1. Approved to Serve
2. Pending Further Review
3. Not Approved to Serve
Specific criminal-history or other background-screening information will not be shared with Team Leaders or other ministry personnel unless there is a legitimate need to know and disclosure is authorized by appropriate church leadership or required by law.
Ongoing Screening
Risen Church reserves the right, consistent with applicable law, to:
1. Require updated background checks periodically.
2. Require a new or additional background check when an individual transfers to another ministry or assumes additional responsibilities.
3. Require additional screening when the responsibilities of a position change.
4. Require additional screening whenever circumstances reasonably warrant further review.
5. Temporarily suspend or restrict an individual from serving while a background check, additional screening, or eligibility review is pending.
A previously approved background check does not guarantee continued eligibility to serve.
Reporting Responsibilities
Individuals serving in positions requiring background screening are expected to promptly notify their Administrator or other designated church leader if, during their period of service, they:
1. Are arrested for a criminal offense;
2. Are charged with a criminal offense;
3. Are convicted of or plead guilty or no contest to a criminal offense; or
4. Become subject to a criminal investigation or other circumstance that could reasonably affect their suitability to serve in their assigned ministry.
Disclosure does not necessarily result in automatic removal from ministry. Risen Church will review the circumstances and determine whether temporary suspension, reassignment, additional screening, or other action is appropriate.
Failure to disclose required information may result in suspension or removal from ministry responsibilities.
Adverse Background Check Results
When Risen Church is considering denying or restricting an individual's service based in whole or in part upon information contained in a background report obtained from a consumer reporting agency, the church will follow applicable federal and state requirements regarding disclosure, authorization, pre-adverse action, adverse action, and the individual's opportunity to review or dispute information contained in the report.
Risen Church will not knowingly use background-screening information in a manner prohibited by applicable law.
Right to Deny, Restrict, or Remove from Service
Risen Church reserves the right, consistent with applicable law, to deny, suspend, restrict, reassign, or remove an individual from ministry service when authorized leadership determines that such action is appropriate to protect the church, its ministries, members, volunteers, guests, children, youth, vulnerable individuals, or community.
Completion of a background check does not guarantee placement or continued service in any ministry position.
Ministry placement and service are privileges and are subject to the requirements, policies, and discretion of Risen Church leadership.
VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND CHECK ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT
I understand that certain volunteer and leadership positions at Risen Church require successful completion of a background-screening process before I may be approved to serve.
I acknowledge that I have been informed that Risen Church may use an authorized third-party background-screening provider to obtain information concerning my background for purposes of determining my eligibility and suitability for volunteer ministry service.
I understand that, as part of the screening process, I may be required to complete additional disclosures, authorizations, or forms provided by Risen Church and/or its authorized background-screening provider before a background report may be obtained.
I voluntarily agree to participate in Risen Church's required background-screening process and authorize Risen Church to submit or initiate a background-check request through its authorized screening provider.
I understand that this acknowledgment does not replace any separate disclosure or authorization required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), applicable state law, or Risen Church's authorized background-screening provider.
I understand that refusal or failure to complete the required screening process may make me ineligible to serve in a ministry or position requiring a background check.
I further understand that completion of a background check does not guarantee approval or placement in any ministry position and that Risen Church may consider the responsibilities and level of trust associated with the position when determining eligibility.
I acknowledge that I have read and understand Risen Church's Background Check Policy and agree to comply with its requirements.