Youth Ministry Policies - Razor Planet



Youth Ministry Policies

A Guide for Youth, Parents, and Workers

Table of Contents

Youth Ministry Policies i

Brazos Meadows Goal 1

Policy Rationale 1

Youth Ministry Philosophy 1

Youth Ministry Process 2

Expectations for Youth Functions 3

Typical Calendar 5

Tips for Parents and Other Workers 6

A Word About Money To Parents and Students 8

Basic Fundraiser Information 8

Youth Ministry Team Job Descriptions 10

Ministry Profile for Teachers (of Youth) 12

Covenant to Abide by the Youth Ministry Policies 14

BRAZOS MEADOWS BAPTIST CHURCH

Youth Ministry Policies

Brazos Meadows Goal

Our goal is to form disciples who make other disciples, that is “disciple making disciples”.

Policy Rationale

Accepting Jesus Christ as Savior is the only way to heaven. Following rules will not get one in the pearly gates. However, as a wise person has said, “There is freedom in boundaries.” We believe these policies will help create an environment in which all involved will have the best possible chance of encountering Christ. This will improve our evangelism, discipleship, ministry, worship, and fellowship.

The following policies were first developed in 1999 through a collaborative effort of the pastor, youth committee, youth Sunday school teachers, and the minister to students. They have been updated yearly by the minister to students to reflect current needs. These policies are in no way meant to be legalistic or dogmatic restrictions. The policies were developed and are here set in writing for several purposes. One is so that all church members may better understand their role in helping Brazos Meadows carry out youth ministry. Another is to minimize liability risks to the church, her staff, participants, and workers. Another purpose is to make the transition from children’s ministry to youth ministry a bit more smooth for parents and youth. Also, these policies will help maintain order in youth activities by giving the students clearly defined behavioral expectations. A final purpose is to make the whole body aware of the behavior expected during youth functions and what the consequences of misbehavior will be. We believe that by implementing these policies our church will be better equipped to carry out our mission statement as well as the Great Commission.

Youth Ministry Philosophy

We believe that youth ministry is best accomplished through relationship building and discipleship as an ongoing process. Special events are great and may attract a lot of people but cannot take the place (in individual lives) of week in-week out Bible study and relationships that are focused on Christ. Therefore, we ask all youth workers to be proactive in developing those kinds of relationships with the teenagers of Brazos Meadows. Also, we ask parents to place a greater emphasis on getting their teens to the weekly ministries than to the “big” events.

Also, we ask parents and youth to understand that the job of the pastors and teachers is to equip the church body, including teenagers, for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-12). That is what youth ministry is about.

Ultimately, our aim is to form “disciple-making disciples” through prayerfully speaking the word of God to one another. We desire for this to happen in formal teaching times like D2 Groups and GET MORPHED but also in less structured meetings like one-on-one discipleship.

Another important thing for all of us to understand is that parents, especially fathers, are the primary spiritual leaders of their children (Dueteronomy 6:6-7, Psalm 78:1-8, Ephesians 6:4). Our youth ministry exists to be a resource for parents and to help teens live out the principles and practices they are learning from their parents. We are not here to take your place, parents, as the primary spiritual trainers of your children. Along these lines, Sunday and Wednesday Bible studies for youth will cover the same texts that adults are hearing in their D2 Groups. We encourage parents to discuss these texts with their children throughout the week.

Youth Ministry Process

We desire to form “disciple making disciples”. Therefore, our purpose in youth ministry is to lead teens to love God, love others, and serve the world. This is also our process. We will lead teens to do this by modeling a love for God and by offering worship services that help youth encounter and love God. Then we will seek to move teens to the next step of loving people by inviting them to D2 Groups. D2 Group leaders will model love for others, but they will also help teens understand how to love others as they interact with the group and as they apply scripture to daily life. Finally, we will move youth to the next step by offering many opportunities for them to serve the world. These opportunities will include serving other members of Brazos Meadows, Christians outside the BMBC family, and non Christians locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.

The elders and staff of Brazos Meadows believe that the church exists to make disciples. We further believe that the best way we can do that is through loving God, loving others, and serving the world while leading people through that same process. We are so focused on doing this and doing it well that we resist adding other programs that would compete with this process from our standpoint, or that would create unnecessary time demands for families.

Because we are focused on loving God, loving others, and serving the world our youth ministry may not look like other youth ministries in town. It also may not look like the youth ministries parents experienced in the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, or early 2000s. This is okay. Keep calm and remember that we are trying to build disciples, not see how many people we can take to Six Flags.

Expectations for Youth Functions

1. Youth D2 Groups will start at 11:00 AM, youth LifeChange groups will be 5:45 to 7:15 on Sunday evenings. Get Morphed will start at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays. Starting and ending times for special youth functions will be placed on the youth calendar, church bulletin, and at .

2. Youth should bring a Bible to all of the above. If you are using your phone as your Bible, and we catch you doing something else with your phone simultaneously, we get to keep your phone the rest of the meeting and you will need to start bringing a physical copy of God’s word.

3. Youth will obey any adults present during youth functions; this includes parents, workers, church staff, and guest speakers. During joint functions this includes adults from other churches.

4. No one may possess or use alcohol, tobacco, non-prescription drugs, pornography, fireworks, firearms, or other weapons at youth functions.

5. It is up to the parents how an individual youth arrives at and leaves youth functions. However, during youth functions only legally insured adults may transport students. Anytime a student needs a ride to a youth function the student is encouraged to call the minister to students (666-7314 or 420-4112), or another youth worker.

6. During youth activities all students and leaders present will respect others by talking in turn, listening when appropriate, speaking of each other positively, and respecting other’s property.

7. Public displays of affection (PDAs) are not allowed at youth functions. This includes, sitting on laps, holding hands, kissing, fondling, etc. The goal of couples attending student ministry functions should be that no one else present will realize that they are a couple.

8. Students in violation of policies three, four, five, six, and seven will be sent home at the expense of the student’s parents.

9. Only Christian music will be played at youth functions. This includes inside buildings and in vehicles. Exceptions are functions at facilities over which we have no control.

10. All youth activities provide evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, worship, or ministry for the participants. Therefore, youth are encouraged to attend. Students with exemplary attendance of D2 Groups and Get Morphed will receive positive recognition.

10.1 Students are required to submit a properly signed liability release and a consent to treat form before they may go on any youth trip. This is still required if the parent also attends the trip. The minister to students will give the blank forms to youth in advance. The parents may also download and print the forms at .

11. Students are responsible for any fees associated with youth functions. The one exception is that the church pays one half the registration fee for summer youth camp. However, see the minister to students if money is a problem. We can work something out; seriously, don’t be shy about this.

11.1 Students who have not paid the appropriate fees or made other arrangements by the sign up deadline will not be able to attend the given function.

11.2 Students who pay to attend a function and then do not show up will forfeit the payment.

11.3 Students are also responsible for costs associated with damages they cause to any property which does not belong to them.

12. Students are encouraged to bring unchurched friends to youth activities.

13. High school students are asked to act as friends and leaders to younger members of the youth group as well as to guests and regular visitors.

14. Youth who fail to come to church and D2 Groups following a Saturday trip will forfeit the right to attend the next Saturday trip.

15. No one will say or do anything that demeans a student.

16. No littering.

17. No one will compromise Jesus Christ or safety for the sake of fun, personal gain, pride, or anything else.

Typical Calendar

The following is an outline of activities offered in a “typical” year with approximate costs. This is presented to help youth and parents decide together how involved they wish to be. All plans are subject to change as God leads, and as needs change. Plus, not everything listed here may be happening every year.

Regular weekly activities:

Sunday Worship service, 9:15 AM

Sunday D2 Groups, 11:00 AM

Fellowships, Ministry Projects, Parent Meetings, etc. on Sunday nights

Get Morphed, 6:30 PM on Wednesdays

Training, various times depending on the schedule of the trainer and the youth

Variable monthly activities:

Usually Sunday evenings (but not always), cost is usually to bring some food or money to eat out

Ministry projects, usually Sunday evenings (but not always)

Outreach projects, usually once a month on weekends. Sometimes these are the same as the ministry projects but not always.

Variable yearly activities (these are just examples):

Mission Trip (WorldChangers, Bounce, MFuge, etc.), once per year or less, cost is about $250.00, point system may apply (points will be earned by attending special training sessions and other youth events)

Youth Camp, once in the summer, cost is about $220.00 of which the church pays half

Concerts, variable days, concert fees range from nothing to about $40.00 depending on the artist

Baylor Youth Day, once in the fall, cost is about $15.00

Disciple Now weekend, usually every three or four years, cost is about $65.00

Retreats, various types and times, costs may range from $100 to $600

Student conference, once every few years, usually in February or March, cost for registration is about $40.00, other fees for lodging and food amount to about $45.00

Tips for Parents and Other Workers

Our students will learn from us what is important in life. Therefore, all parents, D2 Group teachers, and other youth workers are encouraged to be involved with our student ministry on a regular basis. If you do not think something is important enough to support then your child will probably not think it is important either. Parents, I want to help you raise a godly young man or woman. Towards that end, please let me know how I can serve you. Also, remember that our Bible studies and ministry projects offer important spiritual training for your student. Plus, if you want to attend a youth activity but don’t want your child to feel awkward, just remember two things: one, there will be other youth with whom you can interact and two, you’re the parent (honestly most youth find they actually enjoy their parents supporting our functions).

Parents, we want to help you with transportation. If your student ever needs a ride to or from a youth function please feel free to contact the minister to students. Obviously, advanced notice is very helpful, but feel free to call anytime. We will do our best to find your student a ride with a responsible adult. Also, related to transportation, it is a good idea to bring your child to our functions rather than letting them drive themselves. This makes it much more likely for them to stay the entire time and get all that God has for them from that particular function.

Parents, the minister to students and other youth workers will teach “True Love Waits” type curriculum periodically during the time your child is a member of our student ministry. We have become a society with a purity problem. We have also become a society in which young people grow up too fast. To help “counter the culture” with godly teaching we will instruct our students to adopt a “courting” mindset as opposed to the concept of dating that the world adopts. We will not teach it dogmatically, but we will offer it as a viable alternative. Please come visit the minister to students if you are not comfortable with this.

I have been approached by parents who thought we should prohibit members of the youth group from dating other members within the group. While I feel that teenagers are too young to date in the sense that most of us understand that term, and while I feel that the distractions caused by couples within the youth group are very detrimental to what God wants to do, I do not feel the liberty to forbid members from being romantically involved. I would ask that you, as parents, help with this situation by being very involved in your child’s social life. Please act as a mentor to them in romantic relationships should they be involved in such.. I would further ask that if you do let your child date other members of the group with whom they later break up, you not allow your child to use this situation as an excuse to avoid church.

Parents, I will try to provide you with a calendar of youth activities on a monthly basis. Please try to keep your child apprised of all the opportunities and pray with them about their involvement. Also, please do not let money be a barrier between your child and participation in our student ministry. Any time there is something offered and money is a problem simply come talk to me. We will work out a way for your student(s) to attend. We have scholarships, a fundraiser account, and “payment plans” (see below).

All youth workers are members of the BMBC Youth Ministry Team. Please see the “job descriptions” (below) associated with each aspect of our youth ministry.

Sometimes we use special teams known as LEAD teams. These groups under the guidance of the minister to students are responsible for a specific area of our student ministry. Also, please note that youth D2 Group teachers have a more detailed ministry profile to follow (see below). Please let the minister to students know where you feel God is leading you to serve. Finally, all youth workers will follow the guidelines of the BMBC “Child Abuse Prevention Policy” once it is finalized.

Parents and workers, there is room for you at just about every youth function. You are invited to be present as a chaperone, an authority figure, a friend, a driver, and a participant. Do not hesitate to correct youth who are honestly misbehaving, to encourage participation, or to give glory to God for what he is doing in your life. Just be sure to speak politely and quietly and always give the student a chance to “save face”. Sit among the students rather than isolate yourself from them. Share your life experiences with them. Use your sense of humor. Be interested in them. If you are ever unsure of what role you should be playing during a given youth activity simply ask the minister to students; he does not always remember to communicate clear expectations to volunteers.

A Word About Money To Parents and Students

We never want money to be the limiting factor in a student’s decision to participate or not participate in a Brazos Meadows ministry. If your family feels that your student should be a part of something that he/she cannot afford there are several options that will allow the student to particpate.

First, there are scholarships. We can scholarship students from private sources as well as the youth budget. They may make application for scholarships in $50.00 increments. All they have to do is obtain an application from the youth minister, fill it out, and return it to the youth minister.

The second option for raising money is individual jobs. There are some things the church will pay to do such as wash and wax the van. There are also individuals who have told me they would pay youth to do some work for them. Any youth who is willing to work just has to call the student minister and let him know of their willingness to work. Willingness to work is the key.

The third option is group fundraising. This includes things like the Mazzio’s fundraiser, bake sales, garage sales, car washes, slave auctions, etc. We do these as a group from time to time.

Also, we can be very flexible about when a family pays for something. The important thing is that the student commits to the function in question. After that we can work out payment arrangements to accommodate any family. Please do not let money or pride make a difference in your family’s decisions regarding our student ministry.

Basic Fundraiser Information

At Brazos Meadows we believe that God is the owner of everything. Therefore, God is the provider of all we have. This guides our philosophy of doing fundraisers. All youth fundraisers must include the following elements:

● The youth must do the work. This teaches responsibility. It also makes sense because the youth are the ones reaping the rewards.

● Due to IRS regulations we must make funds raised equally available to all students. Even the ones who do not help with a specific fundraiser

● The activity must involve serving or benefiting others. Ideally, our youth will directly serve someone else in exchange for a donation or minimal fee.

● If possible, the event should be set up so that youth can also pray for or share the gospel with the people whom they are serving.

We have an ongoing fundraiser with Interstate Batteries. Tell your family and friends to visit and type ‘bmbcyouth’ in the coupon code. We will get a portion of all sales at this site.

We have had consistent small success with bake sales. Remember that the youth have to make the food and sell it. However, we do need parental chaperones during the sales.

We have also done several of the restaurant fund raisers at various local establishments. They tend to have a pretty good rate of return for the effort expended.

We have also tried lunches (including a dinner theater), take home lunches, pancake suppers, and garage sales. These tend to provide a decent return. The only draw back is that it is hard to get the youth to actually do the work. If we try these in the future, the youth MUST do the work.

A note to parents and youth. If you would like the youth group to do a fundraiser above and beyond whatever we already have planned, please be willing to be in charge of it. In that capacity please work within our published youth calendar and please keep in mind the principles above.

Youth Ministry Team Job Descriptions

Here are some ways that parents and other church members can volunteer to work with our teens. Not all of these “jobs” are operating at any given time. However, as our volunteer pool grows, we will be able to activate more of these.

Chaperone – Pick a youth event on the calendar and show up to help.You can talk to students, keep them in line, lead discussions, clean up messes, serve food, pass out Bibles, etc., etc.

GET MORPHED Volunteer – Participate in our Wednesday night youth meeting. Get to know teens. Help teens behave appropriately. Lead small groups in discussions and in searching scripture. Be a role model.

Minister to Students- See church job description. Plus coordinate communication among team members and coordinate the youth calendar. Work very closely with all LEAD teams to carry out their missions. Develop relationships with youth. Model a mature love relationship with Christ. Pray for the youth.

Sunday Night Leader – Plan and lead fellowships and ministry projects. Fellowships need to include some spiritual aspect. Ministry projects can be as simple as visiting prospects or as challenging as nursing home ministry.

Youth Council – A couple of high school youth, a couple of parents, and another adult or two who serve our ministry similarly to how the deacons serve the larger church body.

Youth Praise Band – TBD

Youth D2 Teacher- This is the most important roll that a volunteer can play in our youth ministry. It is crucial that our D2 Group Leaders fulfill the following requirements. Prepare and teach youth Sunday morning Bible studies. On Sundays, meet at 8:45 in room 404 to pray. Lead your group to love each other. Contact absent members. Also see ministry profile below. Develop relationships with youth. Model an exciting, powerful, love relationship with Christ. Pray for the youth.

Youth D2 Group Leader – Assist the Youth D2 Group Leader as the pastor of the D2 group. Help the group care for one another. Contact absentees. Cotact prospects. Pray for the group and lead them to pray for one another.

Youth D2 Group Leader Substitute- Be available to fill in for a youth D2 Group leader when he/she is absent. Develop relationships with youth. Model a mature love relationship with Christ. Pray for the youth.

Youth Trainer- This is an adult who is clearly spiritually mature and is willing to engage in one on one discipleship with a teenager. The Minister to Students can give you more specific details if you are interested in this.

Ministry Profile for Teachers[1] (of Youth)

Personal Qualifications

1. Be a born-again believer in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.

2. Be a growing disciple of the Lord Jesus.

3. Attend worship services at least twice a month and be an active member of Brazos Meadows for at least six months. The church has defined “active member” as one who:

● Attends a small group (Sunday School, LifeChange Group, Community Group, Discipleship Group) at least 1/2 the time.

● Has a pattern of financial giving to Brazos Meadows.

● Is involved in some type of ministry at Brazos Meadows.

● Is 18 years of age or older.

4. Be currently committed to the ministry in which you want to teach. For example, if you want to lead a D2 Group, you should already be participating in one, and so forth.

5. Be a team player; cooperate with the leadership of Brazos Meadows.

6. Be willing to undergo a criminal background check

Positional Qualifications

1. Be identified by the church as a teacher. This includes having other church members see you as one who consistently, accurately explains and applies scripture; and having a spiritual gift inventory suggest you have the gift of teaching.

2. Demonstrate to the elders a satisfactory understanding of fundamental Christian orthodoxy consistent with the Brazos Meadows Statement of Faith ().

3. Be apprenticed to a current teacher for a time period determined by the elders and/or staff.

4. Be committed to participate in teacher’s meetings and/or training events on a regular basis.

In-Class Responsibilities

1. Arrange materials and room to create an effective learning environment.

2. Be here at least 15 minutes before your group begins to prepare room and to greet each youth upon arrival and engage him/her in conversation and meaningful activity.

3. Model the love of Christ by showing love and concern for each youth.

4. Guide Bible learning by:

● being well-prepared to use Bible stories, scriptures, questions and comments appropriate to the age level in order to accomplish the lesson objectives

● connecting Bible content to needs and interests

● selecting challenging Bible learning methods

● helping youth explore and apply Bible truths.

5. Participate with youth in learning activities and in large group times

Weekday Responsibilities

1. Pray regularly for each member of your group.

2. Cultivate the friendship of youth and their families.

3. Contact, or have a class member contact, all visitors by mail, visit, or a phone call the week following their visit.

4. Follow up on absentees in your class.

5. Contact a substitute and the Minister to Students as soon as possible if you are unable to be present.

6. Plan group experiences such as ministry projects that you can do together.

7. Attend other youth activities when possible.

Special Notes

1. Nothing will be done that demeans a youth.

2. Remember that you may be the only unconditional love a child feels all week.

I understand and agree to this ministry profile

Covenant to Abide by the Youth Ministry Policies

Student Agreement:

I, as a member of the BMBC student ministry, by signing this covenant hereby state that I have read and agree to abide by all items contained in the Policies for Youth Functions of Brazos Meadows Baptist Church. I understand that the policies and activities to which they apply are intended to fulfill the Mission Statement of Brazos Meadows. I am in agreement with this Mission Statement and will seek to carry it out in my own walk with God. I also understand that failure to abide by these policies may result in my being asked to leave a youth function.

Student Signature Date

Parental Agreement:

I, as a parent in the BMBC student ministry, by signing this covenant hereby state that I have read and agree to teach my student(s) to abide by all items contained in the Policies for Youth Functions of Brazos Meadows Baptist Church. I understand that the policies and activities to which they apply are intended to fulfill the Mission Statement of Brazos Meadows. I am in agreement with this Mission Statement and will seek to carry it out in my own walk with God. I also understand that failure to abide by these policies may result in my student being asked to leave a youth function at his/her own expense. Further, I agree that spiritual growth is imperative for our family. Therefore, I will seek to put Deuteronomy 6:7 into practice by teaching my child God’s laws and encouraging him/her to be active in Christian evangelism, worship, ministry, discipleship, and fellowship.

Father/Stepfather signature Date

Mother/Stepmother signature Date

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[1] “Teachers” includes YÏ%D2 teachers, trainers, GET MORPHED teachers, and anyone else who desires to lead Bible study with our teens.

Brazos Meadows

Baptist Church

Billy Edwards, Pastor 625 S. Hewitt Dr.

Scott Rhodes, Minister of Students/Edu includes Y●D2 teachers, trainers, GET MORPHED teachers, and anyone else who desires to lead Bible study with our teens.

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