ESSENTIALS
- President's Message
- ENCA Board of Directors
- ENCA Updates
- ENCA Services
- Church and Ministry
- Ministries Council
- SOC Church Development
- ENCA Champions
- Safe Church
MINISTRIES
- PLD Program
- Franklinton Cen. at Bricks
- Blowing Rock Center
- Black Lake Retreat Center
- Johns River Valley Camp
- United Church Homes
UCC LINKS
Safe Church Process for Requesting Background Checks
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Step One: Review the Southern Conference's Interim Safe Church Policy Concerning Abuse Prevention (MS WORD or ADOBE PDF) and Safe Church Procedures for Handling Complaints (MS WORD or ADOBE PDF) with the prospective employee or volunteer.
- Step Two: If available, review your church's site-based Safe Church policies and procedures with the prospective employee or volunteer to provide the applicant with an overview of the roles, responsibilities and expectations of your congregation.
Step Three: Prospective employee or volunteer then complete and sign an Authorization to Release Information authorizing Southern Conference staff to initiate a background check . (MS WORD or ADOBE PDF)
- Step Four: Prospective employees and volunteers should review and sign one of the following generic applications or complete your church's site-based application:
Exhibit A-Authorized Volunteer Application (MS WORD or ADOBE PDF)
or Exhibit B-Authorized Employee Application (MS WORD or ADOBE PDF)
Step Five: Church official completes and submits a Request for Background Check (Part One) for each background check to be conducted by the Southern Conference. (MS WORD or ADOBE PDF)
How to Submit Your Request for a Background Check
You can FAX your request to the ENCA office in Burlington, NC, the number is (336) 343-4068. Make sure to direct the request to H. Thompson, Safe Church.
Or, you can save time by submitting your request via email directly to H. Thompson by completing the following interactive form: Interactive Request for Background Check (Part One).
Safe Church Resources to Help Your Congregation
Making Our Churches Safe for All-- Frequently Asked Questions The UCC Insurance Board and the Southern Conference compiled these questions and answers to provide congregations with the latest information. MS Word format
Making our Churches Safe for All This is called the "safe book." It is an introductory guide on creating a safe church from the United Church of Christ. It highlights the need for abuse prevention policies and procedures at the congregational level.
Safe Sanctuaries--Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse in the Church Author Joy Thornburg Melton has written an excellent step-by-step guidebook to help your congregation become a safe sanctuary. You may order this book through the UCC warehouse at (800) 537-3394.
The Time is Now This is a companion guide to Making Our Churches Safe for All. It is an excellent planning guide developed by the United Church of Christ's Parish Life and Leadership Team.
Church, Child, and Youth Protection Manual
The Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company has developed this excellent resource for churches. This guide covers hiring practices, administrative oversight, safe activities and provides a series of checklists, sample forms and policies. (These materials should be used in conjunction with the UCC materials.)
Protecting the Children, Protecting the Church and Protecting Yourself. This is an introductory PowerPoint presentation created by the United Cabarrus Insurance Agency and Southern Mutual Church Insurance Corp. to help churches begin the process of implementation site-based Safe Church policies and procedures. Note: This is a vendor presentation provided to the Southern Conference for informational and educational purposes only. Vendor coverage's, policies and recommendations vary. Please consult your church's insurance policy to determine your level of coverage and discuss your Safe Church initiative with your vendor.
UCC Now Requires Background Checks for all Clergy
The United Church of Christ now requires all clergy candidates who begin a ministerial profile to authorize and pay for a criminal background check with Oxford Document Management. The cost is $140 for the search. Candidates should download the new policy follow the step-by-step guideline for compliance. (MS WORD ADOBE PDF) Note: This is a separate process from the Southern Conference Safe Church background check process and procedures.