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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NOTE: These FAQ's are an attempt to keep communication going. They say that if someone asks a question there are others that are thinking it. This is to help everyone get the info they need. These are current answers that are being modified changed and updated all the time. Please check regularly for updates, revisions and new questions.
PROGRAMMING
Why is it important for parents to be at the parent meeting?Because they don't happen very often. It's a great way to meet the other parents. It's a great way to spend time with the people who spend time with their students. You can hear information straight from the youth staff (Which means it's probably a lot more accurate than through the students. And because it is one of the ways the youth staff gets to hear what is important to the parents and adjusts the ministries appropriately.
When are the parent meetings?
August.
Is the youth center open for students after school?
Our youth cafe is open for students grades 9-12, Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. There is no official program or ministry with adult supervision at this time for students at the church after schoo any other day. Some students are involved in Bible studies, or meetings or ministry during these times. That is a separate thing for those groups. If any adults are interested in starting this ministry, please let us know.
Is the community life center open for students after school?
Yes. Every student must fill out the appropriate forms and get a membership card to scan in and out while in the community life center. Anyone can use the gym, the workout room, and the downstairs game hallway.
What are the grades of the student ministry?
Middle School is 6-8th grade, and High School is 9-12grade.
What if my son or daughter wants to be part of a musical arts group?
We offer a new Middle School musical arts group called, "Not of This World". They meet Sundays, 4-5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
How does a student know what Sunday school class to go to?
Go to the upstairs youth center in the community life center at 9:40 for refreshments and announcements. Students split up into their appropriate classes from there. We offer Sunday D-Groups (a.k.a. Sunday School classes) for 6-12th grade students during both the 9:40/9:42 and the 11:00/11:02 service hours. All the groups meet upstairs in the Community Life Center and we have staff out and about to help guide them to an appropriate group.
How are the Sunday D-Groups broken up?
Mostly by grades and gender 6th to 8th Grade Girls Room--Youth Theater 6th to 8th Grade Boys Room 960 High School Co-ed Room 956
What is your Wednesday night schedule?
2:00-6:00 p.m. Youth Hang time for High School in Youth Cafe 4:45-6:00 Church wide Wednesday night dinner in the Community Life Center gym 5:30 Prayer meeting, Youth Center 6:00-8:00- 6th-8th grade "NEXUS" fun and fellowship time. We have theme nights, snack bar, free time, family groups, big group youth talk, and big group games. It meets in the Fellowship Hall from 6:00-7:00 p.m., and the Community Life Center Gym 7:00-8:00 p.m. 6:00-8:00 9th-12th grade "FUSION. Worship, big group talk, small group time. We have theme nights, snack bar, free time, family groups, big group youth talk, and big group games.
Where do students get picked up?
The front of the Community Life Center by the flag pole.
When do students get picked up?
7pm on Sundays and 8pm on Wednesdays
What if a student comes late?
No Problem. Come in at whatever time you can make it. Just be sure to get signed in before joining the activities.
Can a student leave early?
No. unless there is verbal permission from the parent to one of our youth leaders? We do not accept notes because we can't not prove that it came from the parent. We cannot let a student leave without permission from the parent because until that point we are held liable for what happens with that student.
What is "NEXUS"?
NEXUS is the name of our Wednesday night 6th-8th grade program. It is from 6:00-8:00 p.m. We use it as a connecting ministry between ELEMENT and DEEPER (formerly HUB). FUSION is not as big as ELEMENT but quite a bit larger than DEEPER. This ministry uses high school students as family group leaders and support staff. NEXUS has theme nights big group games, and small group breakouts
What is "FUSION"?
FUSION is the name of our Wednesday night 9th-12th fun and fellowship time. It is from 6:00-8:00 we use it as a connecting ministry between ELEMENT and DEEPER (formerly HUB). This ministry uses adult leadersas family group leaders and support staff. FUSION has snack bar, free time, family groups, big group youth talk, and big group games.
What is "DEEPER"
DEEPER is the name of the Sunday night 9th-12th grade worship and small group time. Sunday nights are the center of what we do in the student ministry. We want all of our outreach ministries to pour into and all of our missions and ministry to come out of Deeper. DEEPER uses a praise band, prayer time and topical studies. Deeper meets in the Youth Center every Sunday night from 4:45-7:00 p.m.
What if a student is not interested in worship and Bible study?
FUSION might be the place for them.
What if a student is not interested in big games and big crowds?
Give DEEPER a try. DEEPER is much more relaxed, reflective, serious and intimate.
How far in advance do you plan the youth calendar?
We try to always be working a year in advance. For example if it August 2006 then we are working on July 2007.
What if I want to start a new ministry?
Talk to the youth minister to find out what ministry area that falls under and then come to youth council to work with a team that will get it off the ground.
How does an adult get involved in being a volunteer?
Fill out a "church every member in ministry card." Fill out an adult leadership application from the student ministry. Observe for a couple weeks the ministry you are interested in working in. Also you can come to our every other month meeting adult training meeting.
When are parents allowed to come to see what the youth are doing?
Any time they want. We have an open door policy. We want you to know what we are doing with your students. We also realize that some students don't want their parents around, so in that situation we would like to have an open house once in a while where you are officially invited.
Do we do any local mission outreach?
Yes twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. It's called local mission's day. It's an all day deal where we send out teams of adults and students to houses all over town and help them do whatever they need done. Along with this whenever we hear of a need and are able to help out we do.
Are there any campus ministries at the high schools?
Yes, currently there are is "Fellowship of Christian Athletes" at Niceville High School. Students meet every morning to pray around the flag pole and periodically unites the local youth groups in some sort of event.
I heard the term "Purpose Driven Youth Ministry" what does that mean?
In youth ministry it is not a problem to find things to do, it's trying to find time to do it all. Because of this we can afford to be choosy and ask the question does this fit into where we are trying to go. We have offers all the time. This strategy allows us to have an objective sieve in which to sift all of our possibilities. We don't want students to be out all nights of the week. Purpose driven Youth Ministry means that everything we do here has a specific purpose or design. We don't want to do anything on accident or without reason. If we can't find a reason or purpose for the ministry or program we then ask the question do we need to revamp this or get rid of it.
Does the youth ministry have a purpose statement?
Yes. It is the same as the churches. "To Know Christ, To Grow in Christ, To Share Christ and His Love" we use this because we are one part of the larger whole. This is where we are headed as a church therefore this is where we are headed as a student ministry.
What are your values as a ministry?
Again they are the same as the church's. There are seven of them. Prayer, Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, Stewardship, Outreach/Evangelism.
COMMUNICATION/PUBLICATIONS
How do we receive youth information?
There are multiple ways to get youth information, the worst being from your students. Here are some of them.
Youth website www.fumcniceville.org/youth/ Weekly Youth News, placed in info racks located in three different places. (1) Outside of youth office, (2) in main building foyer and (3) main building hallways. These are also handed out during youth Sunday D-groups Monthly youth newsletter, mailed out to students and picked up in info rack outside of youth office There are four bulletin boards in the main hallway of the youth center with lots of info on them. There is a small blurb about upcoming youth events in the main bulletin on Sundays and also in the bimonthly church wide newsletter. There is an information rack outside of the youth center
Is there a monthly youth newsletter?
Yes
How does a student/family get on the mailing list?
Fill out a student ministry registration card? Pick one up in the youth center or Stephanie Leister, youth secretary, in the Youth Office.
How do I know when the deadlines are?
Weekly Youth News, website, youth newsletter
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
What happens if a student get hurt or injured at a youth program or event?
Unless minor in nature (Band aide) the parent is contacted and asked what they want done with the situation and to be informed with what happened. The youth department will work with the parents to make sure the student is taken care of. An injury report is filled out and submitted to church administrator.
Where do I get a medical release (also known as Power of Attorney) form?
(1) Click here for a printable PDF! (2) From Stephanie Leister, the youth secretary. Her office is located in the main office building near the church library. (2) Info rack outside of youth office (3) youth website.
Do we need to have the medical release form notarized?
Yes updated at the august parent meeting every year.
Why do we need a new medical release form each year?
To make sure all the information we have is up to date.
I have heard that medical release forms (even notarized) won't help in a time of emergency?
Not true. In times of emergency the more information we have, the better we can help a student. That is why we require information about insurance and allergies, and reactions.
What do I do if we change insurance companies?
Update Stephanie Leister in the Student Ministry office.
How long is our medical release form good for?
The forms all start over in September (the beginning of the student ministry year) if you fill one out in September, then another one is not needed until next September. If you fill one out in August, a new one still needed in September.
When are medical release forms needed?
For every trip for every student. You only have to fill one out for the year, but every year they all have to be renewed.
Does the church have a notary and do we have to pay?
Yes, the church has a notary in the main office, and no, you don't have to pay.
When and where do I turn in forms and money?
In the money drop box (in the door, looks like a mail box) at the youth office. It is located in the upstairs Community Life Center. That's the room closest (except for the bathrooms) to you when you come up the stairs or the elevator. You can get all your registration forms, medical release forms and money envelopes on the wall outside of the youth office. It is labeled "Student Ministry Info" You can turn them in whenever you like, before the deadline. There is a drop box on Stephanie's door.
Can I give the money to the youth minister?
No, unless you are giving him money to take his wife out to dinner!
Why do I have to fill out a money envelope?
So you can tell us who is giving us the money and where you want it to go, and so we have a physical record of the drop.
Do I have to fill out an envelope if the youth secretary is there?
Yes, so we have a record.
Why do Students have to sign in at youth events?
Because it is how we take role.
Why do you take pictures of new students?
To put in our database for record keeping, and it helps us learn names and it reminds us to pray for our students.
How old does a youth leader for a trip need to be?
We need to have at least one 25 or older but a minimum of 2 leaders per event or activity.
What about someone who is 18-20 that wants to work with the youth department?
They are still considered part of our leadership team but must be with another adult at least 25 or older.
What is the adult student ratio for trips?
Minimum of two adults after that one adult per 10 students. This is a general rule; some trips might require more according to the situation.
Do you have a minimum amount of adults present at a youth activity?
Yes. Two, One has to be 25 and the other has to be at least 18, and have gone through the student leader application process.
Can a recent graduate continue to date a high school student and be a volunteer in the student ministry?
No. Breaking up is hard to do. The graduate has to choose. We want our volunteers to focus on ministry not on dating relationships.
Can graduates come to youth activities?
No, not unless they have gone through the proper process of becoming one of our volunteers. If a graduate shows up at a youth event and they are not there as a volunteer they will be asked to leave.
Can a recent graduate from high school work as an volunteer in the youth ministry?
Yes, they must spend their first year out of high school working in our middle school ministry then if they choose they can stay there or move into working with our high school students.
What is the date that a recent graduate is asked to make a decision to either move out of the youth ministry?
It is usually the first Wednesday of August. At this time the graduate is given the opportunity to join our volunteer team and work with middle school if they want to continue in youth ministry.
Do the adult leaders have background checks done?
Yes we do fingerprints, background checks, applications and interviews.
What do you do if a student wants to leave before the regular time a program is scheduled to be over?
We need verbal permission from the parent ahead of time or at the time of departure. Otherwise the student needs to call their parent and get verbal permission from the parent to a youth leader at that particular time. The youth leader will keep track of the conversation in a verbal log. We cannot let any student leave without parent permission.
Why do you require a verbal log?
Because some students leave and their parents are not aware that they have left. This helps both leaders and parents keep our entire student body safe.
What if a student drives?
It's even more important that we have permission to release a student.
On trips who is allowed to drive?
All drivers must be approved through the church insurance. The drivers must also be at least 25 years old.
On trips what do the students travel in?
Church mini bus, charter buses, or other approved vehicles.
Can parents drive their own vehicles on a trip?
Yes, but they need to speak with a youth minister beforehand.
Can a parent give permission for a student to ride with someone 24 or younger? For a youth trip?
No. It is not our decision; it is the church's insurance. If something were to happen the insurance would not cover that student because the driver was under 25. Sorry but no exceptions not even a parent note.
Is a student allowed to ride with someone under 25 to and from church?
That is the parent's decision; they are not under the churches care for that ride. If it is in regular scheduled youth times no student is supposed to leave or ride with anyone not approved by the church insurance. Again we do this because if something happened we would want all involved to be able to take advantage of the insurance benefits available and breaking this would void this availability.
On trips are the students required to wear seat belts?
Yes
What do I need to do to get students to help out in other ministries of the church?
Give a sign up sheet to the youth department 6 weeks prior to the event listing the time, date, what is needed, deadline, and blanks for students name and phone numbers. The sign up sheet will be posted in the youth center and advertised. At the deadline retrieve the sign up list from the youth center and call students a couple of days prior to the event to remind them.
Do you have a policy about an adult leader being alone with a student of the opposite sex.
Yes, no adult leader can be alone with a student of the opposite sex. There must at least one other person present. This includes being alone in buildings, houses, cars, rooms, offices etc. For any official youth event there must be at least two adult leaders present at the activity. One of them must be 25 or older.
6TH GRADE MINISTRY
Is there a 6th grade Sunday school class?
Yes at 9:40 and 11:00 a.m., upstairs, youth center
ADULT LEADERS
What kind of training do the adult leaders have?
There are different kinds of training events through out the year especially for youth workers. These are one day, weekend, and week long events.
When are the adult leader meetings?
Every 2 months.
What if I want to become an adult leader in the student ministry?
Contact the youth department and express interest. Pick up a volunteer application from the youth office. Fill out the papers and turn them into the youth department. Visit the particular ministry you are interested in. Wait for youth department to contact you.
