This form is to be completed by all those interested in working in the Children’s Ministry. It is being used to help the church provide a safe and secure environment for those children who participate in our programs and use our facilities.
In order to help provide a safe and secure environment for our children, the following questions are part of our screening process. All the information is held strictly confidential and kept in a locked file. If you prefer, you may discuss your answers to these questions with the pastor. Answering “yes” to any of the questions may not necessarily preclude your involvement in Children’s Ministry, but it’s something we believe the Pastor needs to know. Therefore, we ask that you explain your “yes” answers on the back page. The items of personal information requested are needed to process your background check. This information is intended solely for that purpose and will not be used in a discriminatory manner by Grace Community Church.
Are there any significant situations which we should be aware of or sensitive to (i.e. "burn out" in past ministry, major spiritual doubts, struggles with moral issues, addiction to pornography, past abuse, etc.) or are there any circumstances involving your life style that would call into question your ability to work with children? Please answer below.
Those wishing to be involved in Children’s & Youth Ministry at Grace CC should read the doctrinal statement of the Evangelical Free Church before answering the following questions.
Statement of Faith
We believe:
1. GOD, We believe in one God, Creator of all things, holy, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in a loving unity of three equally divine Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Having limitless knowledge and sovereign power, God has graciously purposed from eternity to redeem a people for Himself and to make all things new for His own glory.
2. The Bible, We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.
3. The Human Condition, We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His image, but they sinned when tempted by Satan. In union with Adam, human beings are sinners by nature and by choice, alienated from God, and under His wrath. Only through God’s saving work in Jesus Christ can we be rescued, reconciled and renewed.
4. Jesus Christ, We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures. Jesus—Israel’s promised Messiah—was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
5. The Work of Christ, We believe that Jesus Christ, as our representative and substitute, shed His blood on the cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for salvation.
6. The Holy Spirit, We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
7. The Church, We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
8. Christian Living, We believe that God’s justifying grace must not be separated from His sanctifying power and purpose. God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor and justice for the oppressed. With God’s Word, the Spirit’s power, and fervent prayer in Christ’s name, we are to combat the spiritual forces of evil. In obedience to Christ’s commission, we are to make disciples among all people, always bearing witness to the gospel in word and deed.
9. Christ’s Return, We believe in the personal, bodily and glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ, at a time known only to God, demands constant expectancy and, as our blessed hope, motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial service and energetic mission.
10. Response and Eternal Destiny, We believe that God commands everyone everywhere to believe the gospel by turning to Him in repentance and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that God will raise the dead bodily and judge the world, assigning the unbeliever to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment and the believer to eternal blessedness and joy with the Lord in the new heaven and the new earth, to the praise of His glorious grace. Amen.
I understand that a background check will be done. The information will only be used for the purpose of ensuring the safety of children through Children’s Ministry at Grace. Only the Grace Community Church pastor will have access to the background check information.
•An act of sexual abuse or physical abuse committed against a minor will automatically disqualify an applicant from volunteering in the children’s ministry program.
•Any other types of red flags will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
I understand that, if I am approved for volunteer service by Grace Community Church this background check authorization will be kept on file and may be used at any time during my service to procure further information when, in the judgment of Grace Community Church, such may be necessary.
I have read the attached Statement of Faith of Grace Community Church. Should my application be accepted, I affirm that I agree with the Doctrinal Statement and Policies of Grace Community Church and I agree to refrain from unscriptural conduct in the performance of my services on behalf of this church.
By typing my name below, I certify that have read, understood and consent to the above. My signature below certifies that all information I have provided in connection with this background check is true, accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
