Children and Youth Worker Confidential Application

This application is to be completed by all people wishing to serve in any position with the Community of Christ that involves direct contact with children or youth. The intent of this application is to help the church provide a safe and secure environment for young people who participate in ministry and to assist applicants and church leaders in identifying and utilizing gifts and skills of the applicant.

Criminal Offenses; Investigations; Administrative Actions – If the applicant answers ‘Yes’ below, the applicant MUST provide a detailed description of the underlying circumstances. Marking “Yes” does not necessarily disqualify an applicant from consideration. However, if the applicant does not provide additional details, the review will cease until further information is provided. If needed, please attach a separate sheet of paper with the additional details and any further explanation that is relevant.

Congregational Membership or Affiliation – Membership in Community of Christ is NOT necessary to be a youth worker. However, ALL applicants should satisfy the 6 month rule (i.e. applicant has been associated with the congregation sponsoring this application for at least 6 months immediately prior to applying). In some cases, applicants that cannot satisfy the 6 mo. rule might still be approved if the applicant can provide appropriate character references, as further described in the References section below.

References – At least three (3) references are required for applications to be processed. References must be age 18 or over, must not be a relative, must have known you at least 6 months and should be able to speak to your ability to work with youth. Please provide accurate and complete information for each reference.

If you are not able to satisfy the 6 month rule, at least one of your references must also satisfy one of the following*:

(i) be a pastor or youth minister of the church the applicant regularly attends; (ii) be a Community of Christ member who has known the applicant longer than one (1) year; or (iii) be a leader in the community (i.e. School Principal/Teacher, Supervisor from work; Staff member from an organization where you’ve previously volunteered, especially a youth-serving organization).

* Please indicate which reference satisfies one of the above criteria.

Applicant’s Statement: I authorize any references, or any other person or organization, whether or not identified in this application, to provide any information they have to Community of Christ regarding my character and fitness for children and youth work. I release all references listed in this application from liability for any damage that may result from furnishing such information to Community of Christ, and I waive any right to inspect references provided on my behalf. I further authorize Community of Christ and its agents or assigns to conduct a background check for any criminal records and agree that I will fully cooperate in providing all information and signing all documents necessary to complete the background check.

I hereby attest and certify that I have never been convicted of nor pled guilty to: any type of child abuse, any type of rape, sodomy, sexual abuse or misconduct, child pornography, endangering the life or welfare of any child, gross sexual imposition, sexual imposition, voyeurism, public indecency, stalking, harassment, violation of a protection order, any offense of physical violence or assault, or any existing or former offense of any municipality, any state, United States, or any other nation that is substantially equivalent to any of the above offenses. (If you have been convicted of or pled guilty to any of the above offenses and wish to explain the circumstances thereof, please attach your explanation on a separate sheet.) I further certify that I have never resigned or been discharged from employment or a volunteer position because of any behavior described above.

Should my application be accepted, I agree to be bound by the rules, regulations and policies of Community of Christ, and to act in accordance with those, in the performance of my services on behalf of the church. I affirm that it is my responsibility to remain aware of any changes or updates in the rules and regulations of Community of Christ.

I hereby represent and warrant that the information contained in this application is correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that misrepresentations or omissions may disqualify my application or result in my immediate dismissal if I am already serving in a youth-related position. Should any of the information provided or attested in this statement change, I agree to update this application immediately or as requested by church leadership.

Applicant Signature – By signing, you affirm that you have read, understand and agree with the statements above.

“If applicant is under the age of eighteen (18), parental/guardian signature is required in addition to applicant signature.*