What Parents and Students Ought To Know

Q.  Does my student need to be a Christian or a member of your church or denomination to be a part of your student ministries?

A.  No!  We want all students to feel welcome and able to participate.  As long as your student is interested in learning about Christianity. 

Q.  Are there any expectations that we should know about for students who participate.

A.   Yes, but we think they are reasonable. First, we ask that your students simply respect everyone and everything in the youth group environments.  This would include simply following accepted ettiquette, following reasonable instructions from leaders.

Q.  Is there anything we can do to help enhance our students' experience?

Yes, and they are reasonable.

1.  Please see that your student is rested before coming to events, particularly Sunday School.  It is not helpful to our students or our leaders when students are half asleep.

2.  Please see that your student has eaten before coming to events.  We do offer treats at most things we do, but students learn better after eating well.

3.  If your student has an issue, any issue with youth group students, leaders, or material, please encourage them to talk with AJ or another leader.  We want to address all concerns to make everyone feel listened to and supported.

4.  Please follow through with guidelines for turning in forms and permission slips.  Deadlines are to help our ministry team find adequate chaperones, transporation, and other accomodations for our events.  Please help your student turn things in before deadlines.

5.  Please consider signing up to help us minister to students.  

Q.  If my student is in trouble, can your ministry help them?

A.   Yes!  We strive to help out students in an appropriate and confidential manner.  We have assisted students in a variety of situations.  Confidentiality does not imply secrecy.  If a student is engaging in risky or dangerous activity, we may choose to inform parents of the behavior, if it is important to do so.

We try to work in conjunction with the social workers, mental health staff, crisis pregnancy resources, the school district, and law enforcement to help students out when they are in rough circumstances.

Q.  Are youth leaders mandatory reporters?

A.  Yes.  A mandatory reporter is someone who is required by law to report to the DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) instances of physical and sexual abuse.  This is mandated by state law.  Youth leaders are not required to report other risky behaviors, unless the student is posing a significant risk to themselves (such as self mutilation or suicide) or others.

Q.  What else can we do to help out our students?

A.  Remember that as a youth group, we can only model so much of the Christian life in front of your students.  Students are far more influenced by their parents or guardians.  if you are not living a lifestyle consistent with your expectations for your youth, we can only do so much to demonstrate faithfulness to Jesus.  Please remember that you must take the initiative and responsibility to model Christ to your students.