Navigating New Volunteer Requirements: The VIP Portal and Modern Ministry Safety
Yes, it's more time-consuming now—but it’s a good thing
4-minute read
Gospel Imperative
Protecting the vulnerable isn't bureaucracy—it's biblical responsibility. When we invite people into ministry with students, we're not just filling volunteer slots; we're creating safe environments where young people can encounter Christ without fear. Good stewardship demands that we take reasonable precautions to ensure those we entrust with ministry are trustworthy.
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were fastened around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." — Mark 9:42
FCA's new volunteer process requires several steps: completing the VIP registration, passing a background check (now required every two years instead of one lasting a lifetime), and watching two training videos for our Huddle Leaders on campus. There are additional requirements for other volunteers in other parts of the FCA environment. It's similar to what churches require—multiple procedures to ensure you have the right volunteers working with students.
Why the change? The world has changed. The old system, where background checks lasted forever, made sense in a different era, but with the amount of concerning activity happening today, updating these checks every two years is reasonable accountability. We're not just protecting students from obvious dangers; we're creating a culture of vigilance that says student safety is worth these inconveniences.
The training videos aren't busy work—they prepare volunteers for real situations they'll encounter. How to recognize concerning behavior. What boundaries to maintain. How to report issues appropriately. These aren't theoretical concerns; they're practical tools that help volunteers serve with wisdom and protect students effectively. Also, a video on discipleship called E3, where making disciples involves engaging others through relationships, equipping them with biblical knowledge and skills, and empowering them to lead and multiply in their faith.
We need volunteers, but creating a safe environment is even more crucial. While the VIP process may be a hurdle for recruitment, we must prioritize having strong leaders. And yes, it might seem easier to skip these steps and allow passionate people to serve immediately. However, our primary goal is for individuals to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and have a safe environment.
But easier isn't always better.
Modern ministry requires modern safety measures. It's not the world we wish we lived in, but it's the world we're called to serve in faithfully.
Heart Check
When safety measures create inconvenience, what's your instinctive response? Do you prioritize efficiency over protection, or are you willing to embrace necessary friction?
If you were screening volunteers for your own children's ministry, what standards would you require? Are you holding other ministries to those same standards?
How can you help volunteers understand that thorough vetting isn't distrust—it's responsible stewardship? What language reframes requirements as values rather than obstacles?
Support Safe Ministry
Creating safe environments for students requires more than good intentions—it requires investment in systems, training, and accountability. Your support of my FCA ministry makes proper volunteer screening possible and helps create environments where students can encounter Christ without compromise. Would you consider becoming a monthly partner to help the Gospel reach our San Antonio students?