Volunteer Training for Children & Student Ministries
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in serving with the Children and Student ministries of Catawba Valley Baptist Church. Our goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for children of all ages. Our students' safety is a top priority and thorough screening of our volunteers is one of the important steps we take in an effort to accomplish this goal.
We believe it is our responsibility to protect the students in our care. Students (and parents) need to know that we have taken every reasonable step to ensure students' safety in our ministry. Furthermore, we believe it is our responsibility to protect our ministry. By requiring child protection training, as well as implementing screening and supervision policies, we are modeling good safety procedures to others.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the volunteer on-boarding process for the children and student ministries of CVBC. If you have any questions or concerns during this process, please reach out to Pastor Jake Barnett.
We believe it is our responsibility to protect the students in our care. Students (and parents) need to know that we have taken every reasonable step to ensure students' safety in our ministry. Furthermore, we believe it is our responsibility to protect our ministry. By requiring child protection training, as well as implementing screening and supervision policies, we are modeling good safety procedures to others.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the volunteer on-boarding process for the children and student ministries of CVBC. If you have any questions or concerns during this process, please reach out to Pastor Jake Barnett.
Checklist for Volunteers
Because we care for students and desire to protect them, Catawba Valley Baptist Church requires all volunteers working with children or students to complete the necessary checklist before ministry work or volunteer placement begins.
1. The Six Month Rule.
The purpose of this rule is to prevent predators from gaining quick access to potential victims. A predator will not want to spend an extended period of time waiting to gain access to students, especially when they can go elsewhere and have almost immediate access. Six months provides a threshold of time for individuals to become better known, and gives an opportunity to evaluate their suitability for volunteer service. In some cases, this length of time is reduced based on a person’s ability to provide positive character references from other youth-serving organizations and from our ministry leaders, and a person’s prior history working with students in a previous faith community.
Volunteers must be an active member or active constituent of the Church for at least six (6) months.
2. Completed Application.
We require a completed volunteer application before approving an individual for service with our children and student ministries.
3. Read CVBC Children and Student Ministries Policies & Procedures.
Our policies and procedures manual helps the Church provide a caring, safe, and secure environment for children and students in all phases of ministry life, as well as helps the Church reduce its legal risk and liability exposure.
4. Completed a Criminal Background Check.
We conduct a criminal records check for those who will be serving with minors through Protect My Ministry. If your application is accepted, we will send you a link to fill out your background check information. Background checks will be re-screened every (3) years.
5. Complete Sexual Abuse Awareness Training.
Volunteers complete Sexual Abuse Awareness Training through Protect My Ministry. If your application is accepted, we will send you a link to complete your Sexual Abuse Awareness Training via video and complete a graded quiz. This training will be renewed every (3) years.
6. Checked references and conducted a personal interview with a Pastor.
We use this interview time to explore more fully why a candidate wants to work with our Children and Student ministries. We also review our ministry’s policies and procedures regarding the supervision of students.
7. Complete Annual Training (in-person or video)
Volunteers complete an annual training, stressing the importance of having a witness present when dealing with children one-on-one (alternative: use open areas, leave door open, install windows in doors).
8. Submit a Statement of Acknowledgement and Agreement
Submit a signed statement of acknowledgement and agreement of the Church’s Children and Student Ministries Policies and Procedures manual. This agreement will be renewed annually.
1. The Six Month Rule.
The purpose of this rule is to prevent predators from gaining quick access to potential victims. A predator will not want to spend an extended period of time waiting to gain access to students, especially when they can go elsewhere and have almost immediate access. Six months provides a threshold of time for individuals to become better known, and gives an opportunity to evaluate their suitability for volunteer service. In some cases, this length of time is reduced based on a person’s ability to provide positive character references from other youth-serving organizations and from our ministry leaders, and a person’s prior history working with students in a previous faith community.
Volunteers must be an active member or active constituent of the Church for at least six (6) months.
- Only members may serve in areas of leadership and teaching roles.
- Non-member, active constituents may serve in a support role alongside an active member. Additionally, they must provide a written testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, and faithfully attend this church or a church of like faith and practice.
2. Completed Application.
We require a completed volunteer application before approving an individual for service with our children and student ministries.
3. Read CVBC Children and Student Ministries Policies & Procedures.
Our policies and procedures manual helps the Church provide a caring, safe, and secure environment for children and students in all phases of ministry life, as well as helps the Church reduce its legal risk and liability exposure.
4. Completed a Criminal Background Check.
We conduct a criminal records check for those who will be serving with minors through Protect My Ministry. If your application is accepted, we will send you a link to fill out your background check information. Background checks will be re-screened every (3) years.
5. Complete Sexual Abuse Awareness Training.
Volunteers complete Sexual Abuse Awareness Training through Protect My Ministry. If your application is accepted, we will send you a link to complete your Sexual Abuse Awareness Training via video and complete a graded quiz. This training will be renewed every (3) years.
6. Checked references and conducted a personal interview with a Pastor.
We use this interview time to explore more fully why a candidate wants to work with our Children and Student ministries. We also review our ministry’s policies and procedures regarding the supervision of students.
7. Complete Annual Training (in-person or video)
Volunteers complete an annual training, stressing the importance of having a witness present when dealing with children one-on-one (alternative: use open areas, leave door open, install windows in doors).
8. Submit a Statement of Acknowledgement and Agreement
Submit a signed statement of acknowledgement and agreement of the Church’s Children and Student Ministries Policies and Procedures manual. This agreement will be renewed annually.
