This sex offender list is a bunch of C**p. It doesn't matter what you did to get there, it's like hell, once you're there...your there...I have a friend, who when he was 18, became involved with and moved in with 40 year old woman with 17 year old daughter. Do I need to go on? He is now a registered sex offender for sex with a girl within 6 months of his age, but it was okay for the 40 year old having sex with a boy less than half her age, to have him as a live in sex toy, in the house with her daughter, alone all day while she's at work?
It's time for churches to cancel their insurance, and simply put a sign at the entrance warning any that would enter, that they are there with post SINNERS, and there are groups like the ones in Nigeria that throw hand grenades into churches with post sinners, hoping to kill them. So at some point we all have to admit that being in churches "could" be dangerous to your worldly health. As if outside the church is safe...escorts, really?

I agree with part of what Theo says. But consider another very real part of this equation--some repeat violent child molesters want to attend your congregation, "volunteer" in your children's program, etc.. You have a couple of younger children in the program and don't know who is involved. There are more than a few situations like you described, but the problem comes with the "grouping" process of all sex-related crimes. More careful prosecution seems to be the key here...I can fully understand that any insurance company (who wants to stay in business) needs all their churches to run background checks and have clear accountability for those who have committed unthinkable acts. The same is true for any group of godly leaders of churches--do it or pay the price. There is no room to risk our children to even one of these monsters that is using the church as a fishing pool. Being in a worship assembly should be a safe place for our children and women. I just hate the fact that some of these guys who are trying are being damaged by those who are still playing their games.

Sounds like the church wants the insurance company to assume all the risk of having sex offenders in the congregation, and for the church to be held harmless of the consequences.

That is rather as if Jesus on the Cross prayed to God the Father that He (Jesus) be held harmless and that sinners should pay the penalty for sin.

The church's stance on this is the 180-degree opposite of the meaning of the Gospel.

But OTOH ... hey ... we're talking money here, and some things are just ... well ... sacred.

JRC

Insurance companies need to realized that they cannot control their patrons. And yes we as churches are patrons and have a choice where to spend the Lords resources. When we find that we are doing business with a company that seems to have beliefs and actions that are contrary to how Christ would lead then we have a decision to make. Christ accepted everyone, not just the ones with flawless backgrounds. We MUST be on this page with Him. Not to say we should be oblivious to threats in our midst. For this particular scenario the church MUST be proactive when dealing issues of sex offenders around our fellow church family. Kids and adults alike!! But supplying a list of sex offenders to the congregation is not the answer. That may cause people to over react and potentially build a wall between the individual and the community of believers that is ment to help and encourage a relationship with Christ.

Subscribing to a background check service is a good idea for checks and balances of who is who when in leadership roles. The name of the game is preparedness. We are not going to be able to prevent everything that may happen, but we must do our due diligence when people are around our families. In our church we have people with questionable backgrounds and we know about it, and by "we" I mean our safety team and staff. A small group of hand selected individuals who's hearts and motives are beyond reproach. These are the people who should be told about the "who's who" list. Ones that can keep an eye things and be in position to prevent un-needed access to areas that people don't need to be in. As the head of the this team I approached one individual who's background was made known to our team. I very gently let this person know who I was and what my role is at our church. And let them know they were very welcome to worship with us.. I also let them know that we knew about their past and we were there to make sure that both of us were protected. And that they were very welcome to worship with us... and that if they needed access to certain areas of the church then please let us know and we would be more than happy to accompany them. And that they were very welcome to worship with us.

You see, with all of this, being proactive and prepared is what we all have to be. Open up the conversation with your insurance company about any and ALL potential situations...(severe weather, fire, domestic disputes, child custody issues, medical emergencies, pedophiles, in service disturbances, active shooter). They can be a fantastic resource to learn from. Show them that you are being as proactive as you can be will only help you in the future. Be realistic, we live in a messed up world with a lot of messed up people that need Jesus just like I do, and you do...Their sin is no different than mine. I just know that I'm forgiven.

And for the insurance companies remember you are not god and that as a far as choosing where to allocate God resources you can be replaced. You cannot dictate how we will treat people who walk through our doors!!