FCA Abuse Prevention Requirements
The Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (FCA) is committed to fostering a safe and secure environment for all members, ministries and communities we serve. As part of this commitment, we have implemented an Abuse Prevention Policy* requiring all individual members to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) to maintain active membership.
To determine which check you require: Click the link and complete the Abuse Prevention Requirement Guide. This page will guide you through a series of questions to determine which check you require or if the Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) you have on file meets the criteria.
Abuse Prevention Requirement Guide: https://www.canada.fcaministers.com/ap-guide/
Who needs to submit a police check: All FCA members must complete either a VSC or an Enhanced Criminal Record Check, as applicable, to maintain membership. Failure to provide the appropriate check with your 2026 Membership Renewal will result in membership being terminated. If you live abroad and do not have a VSC on file with your missions organization, please contact the office to determine the next steps.
Is my police check a Vulnerable Sector Check: Each vulnerable sector check will vary by police department. It must indicate that the check was completed for vulnerable persons. If it does not, it is not a Vulnerable Sector Check.
If you already have the required police check: You will be instructed to upload digital copies as you complete the Guide. Many FCA members may already have a valid VSC on file with their serving church or employer, as numerous churches and organizations require these checks and periodic updates.
Submitting your police check: Please do not email your police check to the office. Use the Guide to upload your files as soon as you receive it back. You do not need to wait to submit with your renewal.
Obtaining your police check: If you don’t have the required police check, the Guide will indicate which check you are required to obtain. Each police department has a different process for applying, please visit the page on how to obtain a check in each province for details on where to start the process.
Letter from the requesting organization: The requesting organization is the church or ministry in which you are serving and will have contact with potential vulnerable persons. The FCA is a credential organization, not considered the requesting organization. Have a member of your church or ministry board write a letter using the template provided. The letter must be on letterhead and be signed and submitted with your application.
Letter template: Vulnerable Sector Check Letter Template.
If your Application for a VSC is rejected by Police: If you are rejected by police services from getting a Vulnerable Sector Check, please submit to the FCA office the letter you used to apply as well as the letter the police issued in denying your check. If you did not use the letter template provided, please use the template and try again.
If you are indeed not in a position of trust in your ministry (which would be very rare for a minister) and do not feel that the template is accurate according to your role and believe you cannot use it, you must provide a letter from your board verifying that you are not in a position of trust in your ministry at the church, along with the original denial letter by the police and an Enhanced Criminal Record Check.
If it is determined that there is reason to maintain membership in spite of the inability to provide the appropriate check, membership will be suspended, and you will be notified that you are restricted from continued service as an FCA member until the issue is resolved.
Past Criminal Conviction: If your Vulnerable Sector Check or Enhanced Criminal Record Check reveals a past criminal conviction, there will be an automatic review prior to ongoing ministry as an FCA minister. Not all offences carry the same implications, but all must be reviewed. A past criminal conviction does not automatically mean disqualification from FCA membership nor from ministry. However, any record involving a sexual offense against a minor or vulnerable person will result in an inability to obtain FCA membership. Any decision regarding past criminal convictions may be appealed.
If you are a missionary serving outside of Canada: please contact the office to determine next steps for meeting this requirement.
The FCA is requiring only a one-time submission of police checks: Any requirements for updated checks or related refresher courses will be determined and managed by your serving church. The FCA will not require members to provide proof of updates.
Information Meeting Recording
On November 3, we had an information meeting and an opportunity for people to ask questions. If you weren’t able to attend, please watch the recording.
New Member Applications
All new applicants must complete the Abuse Prevention Requirement Guide to determine which check is required.
The appropriate check must be submitted using the guide as part your application. All checks must be verified by church leadership and include the following:
- A statement “I verify this is an original and unaltered [name of check].”
- Date
- Leader’s Signature
- Leader’s Printed name
Membership applications without a verified check will not be processed.
* Some aspects of the Abuse Prevention Policy and supporting procedures are still in development. Any changes and additions will be reflected on this page as they come available. The official policy will be included in the next update of the Handbook.
Abuse Prevention Requirements Guide
https://www.canada.fcaministers.com/ap-guide/
Vulnerable Sector Letter Template:
Obtaining a Police Check in Your Province:
https://www.canada.fcaministers.com/checks-by-province/
Abuse Prevention for Churches
We strongly recommend that all churches, whether member or affiliated, implement an Abuse Prevention Policy if you don’t already have one. If you are looking for information to implement or improve your Abuse Prevention Policies, please read the following document provided by Robertson Hall.
Abuse Prevention Made Easy(er) Newsletter – 2024
Plan to Protect is an organization dedicated to helping not-for-profit organizations develop and implement their abuse prevention policies. Their website contains many resources for churches, as well as training courses.
Checks for Church Employees: If your church or ministry is interested in a resource to obtain Enhanced Criminal Record Checks (ECRC) for all your employees, here are the recommendations from Robertson Hall.
Plan to Protect: 1-877-455-3555 | Website
Can Pro Technologies: 1-800-308-4663 | Website
Sterling Talent Solutions: 1-877-455-6730 | Website