Expectations FOR Youth VOLUNTEERS

Goals

1)      Reach out to the youth of our community through our programs

2)      Encourage our kids to move into a closer relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

3)      Get our youth plugged into the church body

Responsibilities of a SNL counselor

1)  Commit to being involved every Sunday night- This is our friendly, fun, challenging, and exciting atmosphere.  We strive to shatter the “church is boring” stereotype and help our youth celebrate life.  It is filled with laughter, games, videos, singing, drama, and discussion oriented lessons that move students toward spiritual maturity.  We need adults to greet, learn names, talk to youth, encourage youth to attend other programs, and help create an accepting atmosphere.

2)  Love the youth- This is the major requirement.  I Corinthians 13:13 reminds us that love is the most important thing.  Our youth are looking for love and acceptance and the church is one place that they should receive this.  Talk with them about their school, friends, family.

3)  Expect the unexpected- Because the teenage years are when most of our youth go through major changes in their life, do not be surprised when they want to share something with you that can be shocking.  If they tell you something in confidence, honor their confidence.  Our rule is that if they reveal something to you about physical harm to themselves or someone else, you have to say something to someone else.

4)  Be Prepared- Each Sunday night consists of 30 min. discussion times.  Look over the material and be prepared to discuss.  Adapt to the style of your group.  Some groups prefer to go around and have everyone in the group share.  Others like to keep the discussion going.  We will provide you with the curriculum, it is up to you to read it and adapt it to your style.  We also ask our counselors to provide games and devotions occasionally.

5)  Don’t Anticipate, Participate- Things are going to change all of the time. We have to be flexible.  Whatever we are doing, wherever we are going, participate in the activity.

Responsibilities of a Sunday School Teacher

1. Commit to being involved every Sunday morning-  We need adults to greet, learn names, talk to youth, encourage youth to attend other programs, and help create an accepting atmosphere. Believe it or not, consistent attendance to them, means you care about them.  With our Safe Sanctuaries policies, two adults need to be present in each classroom. So even if you are not teaching the lesson that week, plan on being there. If you need to be absent, please arrange for a substitute. (a list of subs will be provided)

2. Love the youth- This is the major requirement.  I Corinthians lists love as the most important thing.  Our youth are looking for love and acceptance and the church is one place that they should receive this.  Get to know their names. Talk with them about their school, friends, family.

3. Expect the unexpected- Because the teenage years are when most of our youth go through major changes in their life, do not be surprised when they want to share something with you that can be shocking.  If they tell you something in confidence, honor their confidence.  Our rule is that if they reveal something to you about physical harm to themselves or someone else, you have to say something to someone else.

4. Become a Shepherd- Each Sunday morning, we will begin with an all youth group gathering in the Holy Rock Café (upstairs in the Family Life Center) for about 10 minutes. We will have snacks, announcements and an opening prayer. Take prayer requests at the end of your class time in your individual classes.  Encourage the youth to bring an offering and their Bible. Then, collect the offering in class and during the class time have them use their Bible. Many of the youth do not know how to look up scripture.

5. Be Prepared – Read the curriculum ahead of time and be prepared. The youth can always tell if you are not interested or not prepared. Adapt the curriculum to your group. Sometimes your style of teaching may not be the way the majority of your class likes to learn.  Provide variety – use a video clip (let the Youth director know ahead of time so a tv/dvd/tape player can be provided), play a song that goes along with the message, use an activity to get them moving or into smaller groups for discussion.

6. Don't Anticipate, Participate- Things are going to change all of the time. We have to be flexible.  Sometimes the lesson you prepared (which you thought was great) will not get the discussion or reaction you anticipated. You can either change your approach next time or just chalk it up to adolescent mood swings. If something happened at school that everyone is worried about or upset over, skip the lesson and talk about it. Then pray about it.

What Students Need From Caring Adults

Changing the youth world happens one student at a time.  Students do not connect to programs; they connect to people.  The most effective way to influence students is through significant relationships with key people in their lives.  Our goal is to develop leaders who minister to students.

Students need adults who will:

• Love God and live for him

• Be interested in their lives

• Take initiative to spend time with them

• Pray for them

• Be real

• Say encouraging words

• Believe in them

• Laugh

• Go to “their world”

• Remember their names and care for them

• Share God’s love through personal experience

• Be consistent to the programs

• Be patient

• Enjoy life

How To Be Involved in Students’ Lives

It is important for you to understand what commitment we ask from our staff.  For effective ministry with students, you need to:

1)  Understand the Purpose of our Ministry- Take a look at the Purpose Statement and goals that make our youth ministry effective in reaching and caring for students.

2)  Commit to the Ministry- Consider the role for which God has shaped you in order to build relationships with students.

3)  Grow as a Minister- Develop your personal ministry, which will ultimately influence students.

What Am I Committing To?

• Consistent attendance at MYF (We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes early and stay at least 15 minutes late.  These extra minutes become key relational times with students)

• Relational ministry with students during the week (It is good for the youth to see you at church functions and their school outings)

• Attendance at counselor meetings

• Growing as a minister

Our goal is to help volunteer leaders move from program-directed ministry (dependent on the program) to self-directed ministry (independent minister).  A few keys to help you develop as a minister:

• Time: Be patient; feeling comfortable and connecting with students takes time.

• Participation: Going on special events, retreats, and mission trips will help intensify and solidify your relationships with students.

• Initiative: The more you invest, the more you will get out of it.  Your relationships will grow deeper as you invest your time.

What You Can Expect From Our Church

• Structure and leadership

• Encouraging words

• Training and learning opportunities

• Letters of support and direction

• Prayer and accountability

• Challenge to develop your ministry

This may seem like a lot of material, but through this “process” you will learn valuable information to make your transition into our youth ministry much easier.

How to Become a Youth Ministry Volunteer:  The Application Process

1)  Express Interest- You may have an interest in serving God by loving students but are unsure as to where you can help.  We will help you with this.  Some of the most “unlikely people” make the greatest youth workers, so take the next step as you prayerfully consider this ministry.

2)  Initial Contact by Church Staff- This is an opportunity for us to briefly connect and hear your desire to be involved in ministry.  We will also give you a general overview of the ministry and arrange for you to visit and observe our ministry in action.

3)  Receive Youth Ministry Material- This packet gives you the basic information that will help you make decisions about our ministry.  We have tried to explain as much as we can, but the clear picture happens when you observe a program.

4)  Observe a Program- Before you fill out the application, we encourage you to observe an MYF program.  This is a good opportunity to get a better feel for the ministry without having expectations or responsibilities placed on you.  You will have a chance to meet youth, other counselors, and write down questions.  It will be natural for you to feel uncomfortable while observing a program (students won’t typically go out of their way to make you feel welcome until you get to know them).

5)  Complete the Application Packet- This application packet was developed to obtain appropriate information for our screening process.  The packet includes an application, Medical Release waiver (blue card), and MVR form.  We request two references.  You can choose a (1) pastor, (2) close friend, and/or (3) an employer within the past year.

6)  Meet with Youth Pastor- This is an opportunity for you to share thoughts from your observations, describe your spiritual journey, and communicate your gifts and desires for working in our youth ministry.  We discuss a more specific job description that fits your gifts.

7)  Prayerfully Consider Your Commitment- We want you to take time to pray and think through this commitment.  We also encourage you to seek the counsel of family and/or friends regarding your commitment.

8)  Return the Signed Commitment Sheet- After you have decided you want to make a commitment, sign the commitment sheet and return it to us.

9)  Begin Ministry- We will discuss the beginning date when you turn in the commitment sheet.

10) Evaluation Meeting- At your one-month mark, we will meet to evaluate your feelings and perceptions regarding your involvement.  We will continue to evaluate throughout the year and adjust your role to better fit you style, personality, and strengths.

Youth Ministry Staff Commitments

After observing the ministry, spending time in prayer, and discussing with my family the commitment involved with being a youth counselor, I choose to commit to the following:

• I acknowledge the lordship of Jesus Christ in my life and have a personal relationship with him.

• I am committed toward growing and maturing my relationship with God through quiet times, active attendance at church, and involvement in accountable relationships.

• I am committed to choices and a lifestyle that are both godly and “above reproach,” knowing that my lifestyle is a model for students.

• I am making a commitment to the youth ministry for at least the full school year.

• I will attend the counselor meetings.

• I will make a committed attempt to help find at least one other adult volunteer for our growing need in the youth ministry.

• I understand the five purposes of the church as well as the strategy of the youth ministry and commit to help fulfill the purposes and care for the students God brings in my ministry.

• Because I am making a significant commitment and my presence is important, I agree to be consistent and on time to our programs.