An estimated 1-in-5 background checks
processed through LifeWay Christian Resources' program with
backgroundchecks.com reveals a conviction of a felony or other serious offense.
This may be part of the reason why a growing
number of churches use background checks as a way to better protect children
and others involved in ministry.
After a six-year partnership between LifeWay
and backgroundchecks.com, the number of churches that say they are benefiting
from the screenings continues to grow. Since last year, 50 percent more
churches and organizations have used the service.
Since 2008, approximately 7,700 churches and
religious organizations have conducted more than 142,000 background checks by
using backgroundchecks.com (www.LifeWay.com/backgroundchecks). Of those
checks, nearly half (47 percent) contained some type of criminal offense,
according to Jennie Taylor, a LifeWay coordinator who helps manage the service.
Taylor said the majority of those were for
minor incidents, such as speeding tickets or seatbelt violations. But more than
21 percent of the checks discovered misdemeanors or more serious crimes,
including more than 9,000 felonies.
