Skip to main content

Ministry Safe FAQ

I don’t know my church’s log in information

If you forgot your password but already have been entered into the system please use the forgot password link or call MinistrySafe, 817-737-SAFE (7233). 

If you don’t know any login information for your church or you need to get in for the first time please email or call Teri Tobey and she can help get you set up, 206-870-6822.

How many background checks or abuse awareness trainings does my church need to do?

Included in your January Insurance Letter are the expectations for Background checks and Abuse Awareness Trainings. 

Each church needs to complete background checks on the MinistrySafe dashboard. Those churches with attendance numbers under 75 (Average worship attendance) must complete at least 3 background checks. Those churches with attendance numbers over 75 (Average worship attendance) must complete at least 5 background checks. 

Complete “Awareness Training*” is available on the MinistrySafe Dashboard. Those churches with attendance numbers under 75 (Average worship attendance)  must have at least 3 volunteers or employees complete the awareness training. Those churches with over 75 (Average worship attendance) must have at least 5 volunteers or employees complete awareness training. To avoid a surcharge next year, please complete your checks and training no later than November 30. 

*The Awareness Training has been required since 2019. 

Who needs a National Background Check?

All volunteers working with youth, children, and vulnerable adults and all church staff. Please see the Background Check Matrix (LINK).

  • Paid Workers – ALL Employees of the local church. This list includes but is not limited to: Pastors, Youth/Children Staff, Family Ministry Staff, Nursery Staff, Music Staff, Parish Nurse, Secretary, Custodian, etc. (Pastors will be checked through District or Conference channels and do not count as one of the church’s required background checks.)
  • Volunteers with contact with children, youth, or vulnerable populations. This list includes but is not limited to: Youth/Children Volunteers, Sunday School Teachers, Nursery Volunteers, tutors, Vacation Bible School Volunteers, etc.
  • While not required- the church may consider also background checking the following individuals: Anyone who counts money or writes checks i.e. Treasurer/Money Counters, or those with key access to the building.
Who needs to do the Abuse Awareness Training?

The MinistrySafe Abuse Awareness Training is an expected requirement for all volunteers working with youth, children, and vulnerable adults and all church staff. Please see the Background Check Matrix (LINK).

  • Paid Workers – ALL Employees of the local church. This list includes but is not limited to: Pastors, Youth/Children Staff, Family Ministry Staff, Nursery Staff, Music Staff, Parish Nurse, Secretary, Custodian, etc. (Pastors will be checked through District or Conference channels and do not count as one of the church’s required background checks.)
  • Volunteers with contact with children, youth, or vulnerable populations. This list includes but is not limited to: Youth/Children Volunteers, Sunday School Teachers, Nursery Volunteers, tutors, Vacation Bible School Volunteers, etc.
What level background check should we order?

The PNW Conference office recommends that churches in our conference order a Level 3 background check the first time someone is being checked with a National background check. If you are renewing a background check you may choose to do a level 1 check.

I have several folks who need to complete background checks but do not have email accounts.

You can send the invitation to a church email address and invite them to fill out the information at the  in the office or use the paper form.

How do I review a background check?

After ordering, a background check it is not complete until you return to the program and view the results and then select whether or not to approve the background check, as this is not automatic. See MinistrySafe.com’s help section on reviewing a completed background check. 
https://ministrysafe.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023778771-How-to-view-completed-background-checks

How do I send an Abuse “Awareness Training”?

MinistrySafe.com’s help page on sending an abuse awareness training. 
https://ministrysafe.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023820171-How-to-send-training
Important Note when sending multiple trainings at one time: 
The system sends training to users on one page at a time. If you have 3 pages of users, select the users you’d like to send training to on the first page and click Send Training

Error Message when ordering Background checks, what do I do?

If it has been more than 12 months since you last ordered a background check you will get an error message. Please call MinistrySafe, 817-737-SAFE (7233) to fix it.

Do I need to background check our pastor?

No, all those appointed by the Bishop to serve a local church including CLM’s, Local Church Pastor’s and Clergy have their background checks managed by the District Service Center.

I need to add a user who does not have email or will not give consent online?

There is a paper consent form (click here) they can fill out. When processing their background check please click on the “long form” option.

Who is the User Teri Tobey?

This is the default user account set up for all the churches. Teri Tobey is staff at the Conference office and works frequently with MinistrySafe and background checks. This user login allows Teri to log in and help you trouble shoot if you have any troubles.

Why is there a Texas Address for the church and a credit card on file we don’t recognize should I update it to our real address?

Please update the contact info and billing preferences for you church. We no longer need the Texas information to stay in the dashboard

One of my volunteers is concerned about the list of items in the online consent form what should I tell them?

We DO NOT do any credit checks during a background check for employees or volunteers. Those in the ordination process requiring a credit check will have it done separately from the background check.

There are two things we can do to clarify for the volunteers and staff what kind of checks we are ordering.  One would be to send a message from your email account explaining that they can expect the emails from MinistrySafe.  Secondly you are welcome to share the background check levels available to us and what is covered in those checks. National Background Check PNW Pricing

Where can I add comments if there are issues with a background check i.e. person can chaperone but not drive, etc.?

The place in the MinistrySafe Dashboard for that information would be under the manage user tab, if you click on the name you can update information about the individual, I would recommend putting this information in “notes box” so it is available to your staff.

Do I need to pay $100 / year + $5 / trainee to purchase a MinistrySafe membership?

No, the entire conference already has a membership and each church in our conference has already been set up with a login. Abuse Awareness trainings for our Conference Churches do not have a fee.

I am a pastor transitioning to a new church what do I need to do with my old church login?

On your old church account we recommend that once the new pastor and or staff/volunteers get set up with a login that they would mark your old user as an inactive user.

Translate »