YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S WORKER’S POLICY GUIDELINES

APPLICATION FORM

For more information please contact Bridget at bking@agncn.org

Northern California - Nevada District
Assemblies of God

This application is to be completed by all applicants for any position (volunteer or compensated) involving the supervision or custody of minors. It is being used to help provide a safe and secure environment for the children and adults who participate in our programs and use our facilities. It will be kept completely confidential and will be used only by the leadership of Northern California/Nevada District Assemblies of God regarding District work and ministry in District affiliated churches.

The disturbing and traumatic rise of physical and sexual abuse of youth/children has claimed the attention of our nation and society. The following policies reflect our commitment to provide protective care for all children, youth, and volunteers who participate in church-sponsored activities.

This policy applies to all District sponsored events, camps, retreats and to all District affiliated churches. District affiliated churches must keep these forms confidential and on file. Those participating in District sponsored events must submit these forms to the appropriate department PRIOR to the said event.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

 1. Adults who have been convicted of child abuse, either sexual or physical, should not volunteer service in any church-sponsored activity or program for children or youth.

2. Adult survivors of childhood abuse, sexual or physical, need the love and acceptance of this church family. Individuals who have such a history should discuss their desire to work with children or youth with the pastor prior to engaging in any volunteer service.

3. All adult volunteers working with youth or children are required to be adherents in regular attendance with an evident commitment to their local church and its leadership.

4. Adult volunteers should observe the “two adult’ rule. This requires that adults are not alone with individual children or youth without an adult partner.

5. Adult volunteers should immediately report any behavior of children or adults which seems abusive or inappropriate.

6. Anyone who has participated in other perverse sexual conduct, such as a homosexual lifestyle will not be permitted to work, assist or become a leader in any type of children’s ministries to include Royal Rangers, Missionettes and Youth Ministries at the district, division, section and church level. If an individual that the church board and pastor determines, due to special circumstances, should be given consideration to assist or become a leader in children’s ministries, the pastor and individual can come to the District Youth/Children Worker’s Committee to discuss the special circumstances and reasons why a special request be granted. The committee may or may not approve this request after meeting with them.

Specific Policy Guidelines

These guidelines cover workers for programs involving

Children and Youth 0 - 18 years of age

 I. Qualifications:

A. Must be born again.

B. Must be baptized in the Holy Spirit according to Acts 2:4 or actively seeking.

C. Must be in agreement with the Assemblies of God Doctrine and willingness to teach it.

D. Must be an adherent in regular attendance with an evident commitment to the local church and its leadership.

E. Must have a clean record of child abuse, molestation, illegal drug use, or any felony.

F. Must be in participation in a prevention program sponsored by the church.

G. Must have training in the area that the worker is applying for or be willing to be trained. (Royal Rangers, Missionettes, Sunday School, Children’s Church, Youth, Nursery)

II. Screening:

C. No one with any history of molestation, abuse violent crime, or any sexually related crime can work with minors.

D. Other questionable criminal history will be reviewed by at least 3 of the following: Sectional Presbyter, World Missions Board Director, the local pastor, and the Departmental Director.

E. No one currently using illegal drugs can work with minors.

F. Anyone deliberately lying on their application will be dismissed from ministry responsibilities.

G. References, complete with phone numbers and addresses (street, city, state, zip), must be submitted.

H. Pastoral approval must be given before any new worker can begin.

I. All screening will be held in confidence.

III. Workers’ Guidelines:

A. A worker is not to be alone with any minor.

B. It is strongly recommended that in each area of ministry two workers shall be in the room at all times.

C. Transporting a minor when the worker is alone is not allowed.

D. Workers may not place minors in their lap.

E. Workers must not touch any minor in their private parts.

F. Sexually suggestive humor or communication is never permitted among minors.