Sun Valley Community Church



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High School Ministry

2009-2010 Leader Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mission, Values, and Goals…………………………………………………………..Page 2

Programming…………………………………………………………………………..Page 3

Job Descriptions………………………………………………………….……………Page 4

Policies and Procedures……………………………………………………………...Page 6

Crisis Numbers……………...…………………………………………………………Page 9

Mission Statement:

High School Ministry exists to help move students and their families towards authentic Christian living.

Statement of values:

We see three values as essential to our current paradigm of high school ministry. Those three values are community, equipping, and challenge.

Community – Students need relationships. They will not grow without adults and other students living life together as they strive to follow Jesus in a fallen culture. It is our desire to create a safe environment where students can meet other students and develop close friendships in addition to connecting with adult volunteers so they can influence each other on their journeys.

Equipping – Students need to learn. We live in a culture where truth is subjective and feelings/experiences are the trump card. Students need a foundation that is not based on ever-changing emotions, but on the Word of God. One day our students will be deep into the culture of the world, and in order to find freedom they will need the Truth.

Challenge – Students need to join the adventure. There is nothing more exciting than following an omniscient God wherever He may lead you. Students are paralyzed with remaining comfortable and need the bar to be raised high. We want to invite students into the greatest adventure in human history of redemption, starting in their own hearts and reaching out to the world around them. We will push students beyond their comfort zone in following Christ as we push ourselves as leaders.

Measurable 3 Year Goals:

Maintain a 5:1 student/leader ratio.

Have 80% of active high school students connected to a small group leader.

See 50 more students connected to small groups.

See a senior class of 20 or more still engaged in the ministry.

Not-So-Measurable 3 Year Goals:

Grow our ministry to reach juniors and seniors.

Develop a self-sustained/functioning student leadership team.

See the world impacted by our students both locally and globally.

1 Year Goals:

100 students in small groups.

Small groups running less than 10 students per group.

Establish ongoing training for small group leaders.

Launch a successful Sunday night outreach program centered on causes.

Launch a teaching service on Sunday mornings for training in foundational doctrine, Bible study, and apologetics.

Develop a program for students interested in Celebrate Recovery using the Life Hurts God Heals curriculum.

Programming:

Lift (2nd Sunday Night at 6pm) – Once a month we will meet on campus for a social gathering of high school students. Services will be rich with media, music, and teaching focused around local and global causes.

Equip (Sundays at 11:59am) – Every Sunday we will create a fun learning environment for students to learn and process the Truths of the Bible.

Small Groups (Weekly during school year) – Each week students can connect with other students and an adult leader to spur one another on in the journey of following Christ in a fallen culture.

Service Teams (ongoing basis) – Students can join one of several ministries (children’s, 5th-6th, junior high, high school leadership, etc.) to use their gifts to serve the church and the community.

Camp (end of June) – Camp will be with Hume Lake Christian Camps () in San Diego, CA. Students will be engaged by the location, environment, and activities and then challenged by the teaching. Camp serves as a natural developer of small groups through “cabin time” as students and leaders process together what God might be teaching them.

Mission Trips:

Level 1 Trip – Day trip working with a local ministry or need in the community.

Level 2 Trip – Overnight trip working cross culturally in Arizona (inner-city, Indian Reservation, etc.). Level 2 trips will most likely take place during spring break.

Level 3 Trip – Freshmen and Sophomores only. Out of state trip focusing primarily on work projects and leadership development. 1 week long, in the summer. Sign ups and team selection take place during the previous fall.

Level 4 Trip – Juniors and Seniors only. Out of country trip focusing on work projects, leadership development, and outreach ministry in a cross cultural environment. 2 week long trip in the summer. Sign-ups and team selection take place during the previous fall.

Junior Senior Lake Day (September) – This trip is for juniors and seniors only. The goal of the trip is to introduce new students to high school ministry and to create a tool for students to use to reach out to their non-church friends.

Magic Mountain (November) – This trip is for freshmen and sophomores only. The goal of the trip is to introduce new students to high school ministry and to create a tool for students to use to reach out to their non-church friends.

Job Descriptions:

Small Group Leader – Meet with a group (2-12) of same gender students on a weekly basis during school weeks to discuss God’s Word and how it applies to our lives in our specific situations. Leaders are expected to maintain a safe environment for students to share. We ask that small group leaders would be in contact with their students outside of regular small group time through phone calls (texting counts), email, and the Equip Service (see Equip table leader job description). Small group leaders must report any information regarding students that indicate a serious threat to themselves or others (primarily physical but does not exclude emotional and spiritual). Small group leaders are expected to commit to at least 1 full school year with a group of students. Small group leaders must track and report student attendance within their small group on a monthly basis. Small group leaders must be at all high school ministry meetings including a mandatory leader meeting for all small group leaders on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Leaders are expected to be at all meetings on time.

Small Group Coach – Connect monthly with Small Group Leaders of the same gender to discuss what is working and not working within individual small group dynamics. Process possible solutions with small group leader and assist in any way possible. Pray for small group leaders on a regular weekly basis. Report any trends within small groups (good or bad) to Robert as well as any emergencies that need to be addressed. Attend the monthly small group leader meeting on the 4th Wednesday of each month and work with Robert to help lead those meetings.

Equip Table Leader – Arrive 20 minutes before service time to go over the topic of that day. Facilitate discussion questions given regarding Equip content. Ask students what they just heard to help them process information. Equip table leaders will also recruit students who aren’t in a small group to join one. Small group leaders can utilize Equip to be in contact with their students as well as recruit new students. Table leaders are also expected to help preserve the learning environment by lovingly addressing distractions (ie- texting, throwing objects, being disruptive, etc…). There will be one or two mandatory meetings each semester for all high school volunteers to attend. Equip table leaders are to arrive on time and participate in these meetings/trainings.

Equip Teacher – Work with Robert to create materials for students to learn during Equip or Equip Electives (break out sessions during regular service time). Teachers will also teach the material to a range of students (5-100), facilitate table discussions between table leaders and students, and answer any questions (even if the answer is “I don’t know”). Equip teachers are to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow for any set-up as well as addressing table leaders 20 minutes prior to Equip. There will be one or two mandatory meetings each semester for all high school volunteers to attend. Equip teachers are to arrive on time and participate in these meetings/trainings.

Lift Staff (Sunday Night) –Lift is ran by the high school student leadership team. The role of the adults is to support the students with their presence and to utilize the programming to continue their individual ministry with students (i.e. small group leaders looking to connect with students outside of regular small group time). Adults also help maintain a safe environment. Leaders will hang out and talk with students before, during, and after the event. There will be one or two mandatory meetings each semester for all high school volunteers to attend. Lift staff are to arrive on time and participate in these meetings/trainings.

Music Team – Work with Music Leader to provide quality music for the Lift environment and Equip environment when needed. The music team must model appropriate character on and off stage and interact with the students. There will be one or two mandatory meetings each semester for all high school volunteers to attend. The music team is to arrive on time and participate in these meetings/trainings.

Music Leader – Organize Music Team through practices, sound checks, and musician development. The music leader works directly with the ministry staff to plan for appropriate music and service flow. The music leader also takes responsibility to make sure that equipment is treated responsibly and maintained with the help of the music team. There will be one or two mandatory meetings each semester for all high school volunteers to attend. The music leader is to arrive on time and participate in these meetings/trainings.

Camp Counselor – Participate in meals and activities with the students throughout the week. Help create a safe environment by intervening when students are being unsafe, inappropriate, or demeaning to others. Each day there will be time for small groups to form and discuss what they have been hearing during the chapel times. Counselors will meet with a group of students to facilitate the discussion for what we call “15 minutes of significant conversation”. This means we want students to genuinely talk through questions and answers for a combined total of 15 minutes (girls can usually accomplish this in 15-25 minutes, guys can usually accomplish this in 25 minutes to an hour). There will be a daily counselor meeting with the camp staff following breakfast to discuss the details of the day. All counselors must attend this meeting. Counselors will also need to be prepared to identify students in need and support them in whatever way necessary (ie - listening one-on-one, spending extended time with them, or praying with them). There will be at least one meeting prior to camp for all camp counselors to attend. Counselors are also to arrive 30 minutes before the students check in on the day of the event.

Mission Trip Leader – Participate in meals and projects with students during the trip. Help create a safe environment by intervening when students are being unsafe, inappropriate, or demeaning to others. Encourage students as they serve and help them acknowledge their efforts and gifts for serving. Give students an opportunity to be challenged beyond their comfort zone (let them take the lead on projects while you step back). Be prepared to identify students in need and support them in whatever way necessary (ie – listening one-on-one, spending extended time with them, or praying with them). There may be meetings prior to the mission trip for the mission trip leaders to attend. They are expected to be on time and to participate.

Outreach Event Leaders – Help create a safe environment for students to bring friends who don’t go to church and don’t know many people in the group. Leaders are expected to interact with students, especially those who are new to the group, in order to build relational connections. For some events leaders may be given roles in addition to hanging with students (driving, set-up, food prep, boat driving, etc.). Leaders set the tone for outreach events and should have a positive attitude towards the students and other leaders (even if they are setting up/tearing down tents in 115° temperatures ☺).

LHGH Leader – Meet with a group (2-12) of students to learn and discuss the 8 steps (G.O.D. H.E.A.L.S.) of the modified Life Hurts God Heals program. Leaders are expected to maintain a safe environment for students to share. LHGH leaders must report any information regarding students that indicate a serious threat to themselves or others (see policies and procedures). LHGH leaders fall under the direction of the LHGH coordinators.

LHGH Coordinators – Help modify the LHGH curriculum and procedures to fit the culture of Sun Valley and CR. LHGH Coordinators will serve alongside other LHGH leaders and make any necessary changes to the program to serve the leaders and students involved.

Policies and Procedures

It is our desire that we have a “high touch” and “high challenge” ministry with our students. In order for this kind of ministry to operate long term we must use caution and wisdom when developing relationships with students. Outlined below are basic policies for student-to-leader relationships. These policies serve as general guidelines and we ask that all of our adult volunteers think through their actions wisely to protect themselves, their ministry, the students, and Sun Valley. Please read the policies below and refer back to this whenever necessary. If further clarification is needed please contact the High School Pastor.

Staff Screening

All potential staff members must successfully complete an interview with a Student Ministries representative and receive a background check before working with students.

Physical Contact

Physical contact between staff and students is a vital part of developing and maintaining a trusting and loving relationship. To ensure that the integrity of the ministry and individuals is never compromised, appropriate touch between staff and students is defined as including a hand placed on a shoulder or arm or a hug from the side (arm around shoulder). Any touch that may be misinterpreted by the recipient or an observer must be avoided.

Private Meetings

Same Gender Meetings

To develop a discipleship/mentor relationship with students, it is necessary to meet individually. Meeting with same gender students should always be held in public places where there is no question as to the intent of the meeting.

Opposite Gender Meetings

No staff member should meet with a student of the opposite gender. Guys minister to guys and girls minister to girls. Should it become necessary to engage in an extended conversation with a student of the opposite gender, it is important that the staff member refer the student to a staff member of the same gender as soon as possible. Should circumstances make meeting with a student of the opposite gender unavoidable (such as family obligations, house sitting, emergency situations), the High School Pastor must be informed immediately.

Transportation

No staff member should transport a student without another student or adult present or without parental permission. Make sure the parents are aware that you will be giving their student a ride and that you have their permission. Never should you give a ride to a student of the opposite sex without other people in the car and without clear permission from their parents. Drive safely. This is not the appropriate time to be “cool” in front of students by showing off your drifting skills or teaching them power slides. Even if your car can do something amazing (like jump ramps, crush cars, shoot laser beams, fly, go 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, etc.) please do not do it while students are in the car

Numbers

There is safety in numbers. Please meet with students in groups of three or more. If there is a situation where you need to be one-on-one with a student, get permission from their parent(s) and then meet in a public place. Do not assume that students communicate these things to their parent(s). Talk to the parent(s) yourself.

Dating

Staff members may not pursue a romantic relationship with or express (verbally or nonverbally) romantic feelings to any student currently in student ministries or recently graduated from student ministries within one year of that student’s graduation year.

Staff Discipline

If the above guidelines for meeting, touching or transporting are disobeyed at any time the Student Ministries Pastors will take swift and definitive action, which may include but is not limited to the following:

• Warning

• Probation

• Suspension from Student Ministries staff

Student Behavior

Staff and students are to behave in such a way as to show respect for each other and the property that is being used (church, home, camp, etc.). All rowdy activities should take place outside and care should be taken that those who are participating are doing so willingly. Should any damage occur to any facility being used, the responsible parties are to arrange to pay for the damages and make any other arrangements that may be required. Should it become apparent that a student does not show appropriate respect for persons or property, the Student Ministries Pastor shall determine what disciplinary action is appropriate which may include but is not limited to removal from activity or suspension from participation in ministry.

Appearance

All staff should be mindful to dress and behave in a manner that honors and glorifies Christ. Staff are held in high esteem by other staff and students alike and are to display modesty, tact, consideration for others, compassion and wisdom.

Meeting Attendance

Be at all planned High School Ministry meetings and activities 15 minutes early. Staff meetings begin on time and all staff members are expected to be prompt. Important information is presented that will benefit your understanding and involvement in the leadership of High School Ministry.

Student Interaction

In addition to the students you already connect with, always watch for students who are not interacting with the group, are loners, demonstrate a lack of social skills or anti-social behavior. Reach out to those students and be ready to lead the student to Christ. As a staff member, you are called to minister, help, pray for, and encourage the students. Always avoid clustering with other staff.

Legal Reporting:

Crisis may arise as we meet with students. There are times that we are required by Arizona law to inform authorities, such as the police and CPS, of incidences students share with us. There may also be times we inform parents of other incidences because it is the right thing to do. Please use discernment to determine if parents need to be aware of the things the students are sharing with you. Because of this we can never promise students total secrecy. Below are topics that must be reported if they come up in conversation. In all cases contact your ministry leader (Robert) and allow him to walk along side you and assist you with the process.

Arizona Mandatory Reports within 24 hours:

• Students threatening to commit suicide

• Students threatening to harm others

• Students being physically or sexually abused

Sun Valley Required Reports:

• Self-injuring (i.e. cutting)

• Drug abuse

• Sexual activity

This is not an exhaustive list. If you feel a conversation is serious in nature, contact your ministry leader and together you will determine the proper course of action.

Responding to a crisis

Involve a pastor in the situation.

Please inform us of any crisis that will require parental or legal involvement before you take action. We value working toward what is best for the student, and believe that any situation that threatens the student with immediate danger or the potential for long-term harm will require further action. However, we want to work through the process with you so that together, we can achieve the best possible response. If you are in doubt, err on the side of including a pastor in the process.

Crisis Numbers

Top Priority Numbers

|Robert Watson |480-229-5301 (cell) |

|High School and Young Adults Pastor | |

|Dennis McMains, Family Pastor 480-570-3801 (cell) |480-710-3300 (cell) |

| Greg Suiter, High School Ministry Assistant 480-894-2201 |602-628-7155 (cell) |

|Jackie Mclenna Student Ministries Assistant |480-688-7091 (cell) |

|Sun Valley Community Church. |480-632-8920 (office) |

|Lindsay Watson, girls small group coach. |480-266-0006 (cell) |

|Ken Laufle, guys small group coach. |480-773-2468 (cell) |

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|Other Important Contacts | |

|Center Against Family Violence |480-644-4077 |

|Child Protective Services |800-422-4453 |

|Child Abuse Hotline |888-767-2445 |

|National 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline |800-799-7233 |

|National Drug and Alcohol Treatment |800-662-4357 |

|Homefree Hotline for Runaways |800-621-4000 |

|National Youth Crisis Line |800-488-4663 |

|Remuda Ranch---eating disorders |800-455-1900 |

|Focus on the Family (ask for counseling dept.) |800-232-6459 |

|Crisis Pregnancy Center |480-966-5683 |

|Gilbert Police Department (other than 911) |480-503-6500 |

| Mesa Police Department |480-644-2211 |

| Chandler Police Department | 480-782-4130 |

| Papa Johns Pizza (Warner and Cooper) | 480-814-7272 |

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