Youth Ministry · TRAINING GUIDE
Youth Serve Team
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The Win
Create an environment where students can encounter the love and presence of God, and also grow deeper in their relationship with Him
Youth Ministry
Guidelines And Expectations
Arrive on time and attend leader meeting at 4:45pm in the game room.
While attending any youth related event, we expect leaders to dress modest and to avoid inappropriate attire. For questions on this, please ask Pastor Brandon or Jamie.
All youth leaders are considered “security” in the building. Always watch to ensure students are engaging in appropriate behavior and following the rules.
All youth events have a no cell phone use policy for students. We ask that leaders also refrain from using cell phones while serving.
You are there to engage with students, especially those students who are by themselves or look like they need someone to talk to.
When interacting with students, leaders should never engage in bullying, disrespectful language or speech, or use of physical force on any student.
We do not schedule volunteers. We ask that youth leaders attend weekly, if possible. If not, then attend as much as your schedule allows you. We truly believe many leaders build lasting connections with students by seeing them consistently. It helps the students build trust, assurance, and dedication.
Youth Ministry
Training And Equipping
Training for positions will all follow this cycle:
Meet with Pastor Brandon and/or Jamie to discuss what area you will best fit.
Receive Youth Ministry Training Manual.
Shadow Pastor Brandon, Jamie, or another leader.
If necessary, additional position-specific videos or reading materials may be required in order to better facilitate training.
Work your area with supervision there to answer questions and assist as needed.
Work your area by yourself.
Youth Ministry
Serve Team Positions
Greeter/Check-In Leader
Stand at door entrance and welcome students. Smile, be kind and welcoming.
Welcome new students and answer any questions the parents or students have.
If necessary, walk student around and help them connect to other students.
Input new students’ information into Planning Center Check-In.
Assist students with self check-in, if needed.
Game Room Leader
Ensure students are using the equipment, games, tables, etc. as they should be used.
Enforce rules.
Stay in game room until service begins, and then after service until students are dismissed.
At countdown time, help gather students into the worship center for service.
Gym Leader
Stay in gym until service begins, and then after service until students are dismissed.
Ensure basketball or other games are being played correctly and safely.
Enforce rules.
Media
Screens Operator
Responsible for starting countdown, putting lyrics up for worship, putting scriptures and/or graphics up for sermons.
Stay in media booth from the start of countdown until service ends.
Lights Operator
Responsible for moving lights at their correct positions at the necessary times.
Stay in media booth from the start of countdown until service ends.
Sound Board Operator
Operate sound during worship and sermon.
Stay in media booth from the start of countdown until service ends.
Crowd Control Leader
Stand in position during service to ensure students are behaving correctly and not causing distractions.
Help gather students into the worship center when countdown begins.
Be in the worship center once service begins and stay until service is dismissed.
Huddle Leader
Weekly prepare and study for huddles.
Lead groups in discussion times.
Engage and build connections with students pre and post service.
Youth Events
Special events are held throughout the year, including youth camp, Revolve, hang out nights, etc.
Leaders are asked to participate in as many as possible, but especially youth camp.
Each event has unique leadership positions. Those will be decided and discussed with leaders prior to events. Training will also occur, as needed, for any new positions.
Youth Ministry
Greeter & Check-In
The Goal
To make students feel welcome by being joyful and kind
To input students into the database so that we can accurately keep track of attendance
Instructions Greeting
Be in your position by 4:50pm.
Stand near the entrance doors on the side by the self check-in stations.
Get the hand held iPad for manned check in. Manned check-in is when you check people in or input information yourself, as opposed to them checking themselves in (also known as self check-in).
Smile and greet with warm welcome.
It’s important not to get caught up talking to other leaders so that you’re fully engaged when students enter.
If able, open doors for students as they come in.
This isn’t always possible if you are in this position alone and are busy with a first time guest or inputting information into check in.
Make sure all students are checking in at the self check-in stations on the wall by the entrance.
First time guest:
Greet and explain that you will need to get some information from them for attendance purposes.
Information we need from them: Name DOB Gender Grade Cell Phone Number If the student does not have a cell phone, then they can use a parent or guardian’s number that they will remember. If the student has a parent with them, engage the parent in the process. Try to speak directly to the student when getting the check in information. Ask the parent for help if the student isn’t responding well or is nervous.
Remain in position until huddles have begun.
Bring the hand held iPad back to the media booth for storage.
The only adults allowed in the youth building prior to service and during service are: Scheduled volunteers, One Life Staff pastors and staff, security team, parents of students (only while their student is checking in). If an adult not included in this list would like to stay in the building for any reason, get Pastor Brandon or Jamie to approve.
Instructions For Check-In
First Time Guest
Enter their name in the search bar of the station. If they have any information in the database, their name will show up in the search. If not, select Add Person to start a new profile.
Select New Household.
Begin putting required information.
Name
DOB
Gender
Grade
Cell Phone (may have to select the Show All button for the entire screen to show up).
Once all information is put in, select Save Household at the top right of the screen.
A screen will pop up that allows you to now check in that student. Click the gray box inside the student’s name.
Select Regular .
Scroll down to select Student Worship Service .
Select Done .
If you are adding two or more siblings at once
Enter the first student’s name in the search bar of the station.
Select New Household .
Begin putting in the required information.
Name
Gender
DOB
Grade
Cell Phone
Once all information is put in, select Add (the gray button with a plus sign in it).
Begin putting in the required information for the second student.
Repeat this process until all siblings have been entered.
Once all information is put in, select Save Household at the top right of the screen.
A screen will pop up that allows you to now check in that student. Click the gray box inside the student’s name.
Select Regular .
Scroll down to select Student Worship Service .
Select Done .
If the student is coming with a sibling or a family member who is already in the database
Enter their name in the search bar of the station. Select Existing Household.
Enter the sibling or family member’s name in the search bar of the station.
Select the family to add the student to.
Begin putting in required information.
Name
Gender
DOB
Grade
Cell Phone
Once all information is put in, select Save Household at the top right of the screen.
A screen will pop up that allows you to now check in that student. Click the gray box beside the student’s name.
Select Regular.
Scroll down to select Student Worship Service.
Select Done.
*If any changes need to be made to a student’s profile, select the pencil icon beside the student’s name. That will take you to their profile where you can edit their information.
Youth Ministry
Game Room Leader
The Goal
To ensure everyone is having a fun time in a safe and friendly atmosphere
To ensure that the games and equipment are being played for their intended purpose
To maintain order and enforce rules
Instructions For Game Room Leader
Be in the game room by 5:00pm.
Be welcoming, friendly and kind to students.
You can play games and interact with students, as long as you are able to maintain the goals for the position.
Assist students in getting to the correct huddle. If you are huddle leader, then you can exit to your huddle. If not, please find a spot to sit quietly until huddles have ended.
When countdown to service begins, help gather students to the worship center.
When service is dismissed, return to game room to continue leading until youth are gone.
If a piece of equipment breaks, go to the storage cabinets to find replacement equipment. If any equipment is missing, please ask Pastor Brandon or Jamie for assistance.
Help maintain the cleanliness of the room. Remind students to throw away trash and keep the space nice.
Routinely check trash cans to see if they are full. If full, trash bags can be found in the hall closet near the restrooms.
Rules For Game Room
No cell phones
No bullying, wrestling, or aggressive play
No PDA
No sitting on game tables or counter tops
Game equipment should ONLY be used for their intended purpose and activity
Food and drinks are ONLY allowed in the game room
No food or drinks on any game tables
No food or drinks allowed while playing Xboxes
Youth Ministry
Gym Leader
The Goal
To ensure that students are having fun, but playing in a safe and friendly way
To maintain order and enforce rules
Instructions For Gym Leader
Be in the gym by 5:00pm.
Be welcoming, friendly and kind to students.
You can play games and interact with students, as long as you are able to maintain the goals for the position.
Assist students in getting to the correct huddle. If you are huddle leader, then you can exit to your huddle. If not, please find a spot to sit quietly in the game room until huddles have ended.
When countdown to service begins, help gather students to worship center.
When service is dismissed, return to the gym to continue leading until youth are gone.
If equipment is missing, please ask Pastor Brandon or Jamie for assistance.
Rules For The Gym
No cell phones
No bullying, wrestling, or overly aggressive play
No PDA
Game equipment should ONLY be used for their intended purpose and activity
Food and drinks are NOT ALLOWED in the gym for any reason
No exiting/entering through the gym doors
Basketball Rules
3 on 3 or 4 on 4
This is to help everyone get a chance to play. If there is a couple of students, then can shoot around or play fewer than this number.
First to 7 wins. Winner does not stay on.
This can change if the group is small enough. You, as the gym leader, will make that call.
Pickleball And Volleyball Are Able To Be Played And Set Up
Youth Ministry
Media Team
The Goal
To help facilitate the visual aspect of service, and to help make sure it’s engaging and presented with excellence
The youth media team is encouraged to attend the worship team practice on Sundays at 4pm.
Training
All media training for the youth department will be done by the One Life Church Media Department. The instructions below are specific to the youth ministry. Operational functions, training, and preparing will be found in the Media Department’s training manual.
Instructions For Screen Operator
Displays song lyrics, graphics, videos, scriptures, etc.
Be in sound booth by 5:30pm.
Input scriptures. Ensure sermon graphic is correct.
Begin countdown at 5:57pm.
Follow the schedule - sometimes a game is to follow, or just announcements. Ask the service leader.
Throughout service, follow the service leader and the worship leader for the graphics needed.
Instructions For Light Operator
Controls lights and haze
Turn on haze at 5:30pm.
Be in the sound booth by 5:50pm.
Light schedule:
Countdown-turn on countdown light, all other lights turned off
Welcome-turn on house lights/worship lights/speaking lights, keep blue light on
Worship-turn off house lights
Sermon (when speaker asks students to be seated after worship)-turn on house lights, turn on sermon lights
Turn off haze.
Instructions For Sound Operator
Be in the sound booth by 5:50pm.
Use sound board as needed to correct sound and volume for speakers and worship team.
Youth Ministry
Crowd Control Leader
The Goal
To help facilitate a distraction free service environment
Instructions For Crowd Control
Be in the worship center by 6:00pm when service starts.
Stand behind the students and observe.
Where you will stand will depend upon the crowd and how they are seated.
Engage in worship, but continue observing crowd.
If you have to correct a student or group of students during worship or the teaching portion:
As discreetly as possible, walk to the student and quietly ask them to stop whatever they are doing that is distracting.
If they continue to distract, you can ask them to move seats.
Always be respectful and use soft tones with the students when first bringing correction.
Guidelines To Distractions
Generally, ask these questions before addressing a student:
Is the student causing distractions to those around them? Are people being bothered by the behavior?
Is the behavior distracting the speaker? **If the answer is yes to these questions, then definitely address the student. **If the answer is no, you can leave the student alone unless it begins to cause a bigger problem.
Guidelines To Worship Time
Students should not sit or lie down on the floor or stairs.
Students should not be touching each other (hitting, holding hands, etc.). There will occasionally be students who pray together during worship. This is ok as long as it’s same gender and they’re not distracting.
Youth Ministry
Huddle Leader
The Goal
To build a connection between the leader and students, and to help students build relationships with one another
To help disciple students in their walk with God and to help them grow in their faith
Training
Huddle leaders are hand selected by the pastors.
There is a higher standard and moral expectation that a huddle leader must adhere to.
Separate meetings and trainings will be provided for this position.
Instructions For Huddle Leader
Prepare for the discussion ahead of time.
Topics and themes for the semester vary. Whatever the topic or theme for the semester is, we will provide you with the materials to study. You are encouraged to dig deeper and create a sense of ownership with leading. This will be covered more in the leader meeting.
Attend a huddle leader meeting prior to the start of groups. Date will be scheduled by Pastor Brandon.
Keep order and structure within your group, and ensure rules are being followed.
Interact with kids pre and post service.
Bring questions and concerns immediately to Pastor Brandon or Jamie.
Youth Ministry
Youth Events
The Goal
For fun, spiritual growth, and connections
Recurring Events
Summer Camp
Revolve
Youth Hang Outs (times vary)
Instructions For Events
Each event has its own set of instructions, guidelines, and expectations. Those will be given out prior to each event.
You are not expected to attend every extracurricular event, but are highly encouraged to attend as much as possible.
Youth camp is our biggest event. We always need as much help as possible. This is the one event, more than any other, that we encourage you to be a part of.