Serve

As a member of Hickory Grove, and regardless of your skillset, you are called to the work of ministry and service in the local church (Ephesians 4:12). Whether you find yourself serving as a Connections Greeter, Community Group Leader, or any other volunteer role, you are to take part in the work of ministry, in which the name of Christ is exalted, and the church is strengthened.

Additionally, because we love and desire to protect minors in our ministries, Hickory Grove Baptist Church (HGBC) requires all staff members and volunteers working with minors or other vulnerable populations to complete FOUR SAFETY STEPS before ministry work or volunteer placements begin. 

Volunteer Onboarding Process

STEP ONE: SCREENING PROCESS
Staff members and volunteers are required to complete the HGBC Screening Process, which includes: 
   •  Employment Application (employees only) 
   •  Volunteer Application  
   •  Reference Checks  

A volunteer must be a member of HGBC for six months before being eligible to serve in positions providing ministry services to minors. 

STEP TWO: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Once individuals have completed the Volunteer Application, they are required to review and sign to comply with our Policies and Procedures for working with minors. These Policies must be reviewed and re-signed every two years. 

STEP THREE: SEXUAL ABUSE AWARENESS TRAINING
All staff members and volunteers should have a basic understanding of the characteristics of sexual abusers and their behaviors in “grooming” a child for sexual abuse. Grooming is the process used by an abuser to select a child, win the child’s trust (and the trust of the child’s parent or “gatekeeper”), manipulate the child into sexual activity and keep the child from disclosing the abuse.

To equip you with the information necessary to recognize abuser characteristics and grooming behaviors, HGBC requires all individuals serving with minors to complete MinistrySafe Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. This training must be renewed every two years.  

STEP FOUR: CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
All staff members and volunteers working with minors must undergo a criminal background check. Depending upon the ministry position, differing levels or intensity of criminal background checks may be required. Individuals who have committed sexually oriented or sex-related crimes may not serve in any area providing services to minors. In addition, certain other past criminal acts may preclude an applicant from serving minors. Background Checks will be re-run every two years.