WHY VOLUNTEER?
Being a volunteer in the youth ministry is a large responsibility but come with tremendous rewards. Thr primary role of volunteers is to build relationships with student. It is through relationships that Jesus Christ shared God’s love with the world and it is through relationships that we should do the same. Teenagers tend to come to know Christ because of the relationships they have established with people they trust.
HOW DO I BECOME A VOLUNTEER?
The United Methodist Church has set a standard for all volunteers that we uphold and adhere to. Each volunteer is required to be active in our church before they are able to be screened and approved as a volunteer. Each volunteer will be screened, this includes completing a Volunteer Application, fingerprinting, a background screening, and a Participation Covenant which states that you will abide by the Child Protection Policy of our church.
WHAT IS EXPECTED?
Each volunteer is expected to provide supervision and to be involved in our activities. Your primary responsibility is build relationships with the youth. Volunteers are expected to make a comittment to their rols as a volunteer. Our programs and events can only function with the help of others, so volunteers are depended to be on time and to be prepared. If you are not able to make it one week, you are asked to let us know so that your space can be filled and adjustments can be made if necessary. You are encouraged to attend Youth Council Meeting, too. As a leader in First United Methodist Church, you are expected to be active in worship, too. You spiritual growth is important to the growth of others. Finally, you are asked to help clean up so that the church, youth room, gym, etc. are left in a better state than when you arrived.
WHAT WILL I DO?
Small Group Leader - Small Groups are here for students to go deeper in their relationship to Christ. We do this through deeper study, providing a place for accountability, and an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with their peers. Small Groups are divided by grades, 7th & 8th, 9th & 10th, and 11th & 12th. Small Group Leader's facilitate the discussion using the curriculum provided each week. The disucssion and questions are already included and will follow the lesson that has been taught that evening in worship. The discussion then builds on the application of that Bible lesson. You are not expected to have all the answers just a desire to help students find the answers. Small Groups occur each Sunday night. Generally, there are two adults to each small group, which will allow some flexibility for the leaders.
Wednesday Program Volunteer - High School Program, Wednesday's from 6-8:30pm, is for fellowship and outreach. Our desire is that the Youth would have fun while experiencing Christ. It is the volunteer’s primary focus to get to know each of the students, to welcome new students, to be involved in games and activities, to engage the youth in discussion about the week and what is going on in their lives. You also may be asked to be drive the church bus. Bus #1 can be driven with a normal driver's license. If you have, or are willing to get, a CDL Class C license, then you may also drive Bus #2 and #3.
Sunday School Teacher - Our Sunday school class is for discipleship and Bible study and include both JR High and High School students. Your role as the teacher is to guide those in your class through a specific study. The curriculum or study is chosen or selected based on your interests as a teacher, the interests of the youth in that class, and the needs of the group as a whole. Sunday School meets each week on Sunday morning at 9:30am in the youth room.
Others - There are many other ways people volunteer in the youth ministry. If you are not able to make a weekly comitment, there are still other ways you may be able to help. Some of these are preparing on Sunday nights, organizingdinners on Sunday nights, helping with specific events like, the School's Out Party, Graduation Banquet and Outpouring. There are many opportunities for you to help.
