Campus Ministry 101 Manual
This resource has been created for the person starting a campus ministry from scratch. There are
also many pieces included in this resource that could help any staff along the journey towards
developing a healthy campus ministry.
5 ESSENTIALS
For the core ministries to be sustainable and fruitful we believe they must implement these
essentials:
WIDESPREAD PRAYER
We deliberately engage lots of Christians to intercede on behalf of the ministry site.
LOVING RELATIONSHIPS
We consistently pursue lost kids & engage them in life-long relationships with Jesus.
FAITHFUL BIBLE TEACHING
We accurately handle Biblical truth, regularly coaching kids to apply it in their lives.
COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY STRATEGY
We intentionally work together with local churches, agencies and other partners to provide
sustainable youth and family ministry.
ADULTS WHO EMPOWER
We strategically develop leaders to reach young people from every people group.
RELATIONAL MINISTRY ACTIONS
Campus ministry staff build loving relationships through the balanced practice of 6 Relational
Ministry Action’s:
CONTACTING - going into the world of young people in order to initiate new relationships.
BUILDING TIME - spending time in shared activities with young people in order to build new
relationships and model Christ-like behavior. Everyday shared experiences - Trips - Events
CLUB - a weekly large group meeting of more than 25 students that’s high energy, safe, and non-
Christian friendly.
APPOINTMENTS - meeting one on one to provide individual attention and focus on a young
person’s specific needs.
SMALL GROUPS - a structured interactive meeting with 2-12 young people
STUDENT LEADERSHIP - Christian students who are committed to personal growth and
influencing the people around them for Christ.
BALANCED LIFE
MINISTRY PHILOSOPHY
The Campus ministry philosophy of ministry equates responsible evangelism with relational
evangelism. In the context of a relationship, a “balanced life” is modeled by staff and encouraged
in students. Staff strive to develop a mental, physical, spiritual, and social balance in the life of
the Christian teenager enabling them to successfully communicate, in action and word, their
personal faith in Jesus Christ to their friends, campus, and world.
The biblical base for the Balanced Life is found in Luke 2:52 and Romans 12:1-2:
“And Jesus grew…
“Wisdom” Mental Area
“Stature” Physical Area
“And in favor with God” Spiritual Area
“men.” Social Area
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship (physical area). Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world (social area), but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind (mental area). Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His
good, pleasing and perfect will (spiritual area).” (Romans 12:1-2)
MEETING THE NEEDS OF TEENAGERS
The Balanced Life philosophy drives the way Campus ministry staff engage the needs of
teenagers. Though we are deeply concerned with their spiritual need for Jesus, we are also
committed to addressing the variety of needs in a teenager’s life (sometimes referred to as
Holistic Ministry). Entering into the deep needs of teenagers often models Christ’s love prior to
them choosing to follow Christ for a lifetime.
•ONE ON ONE
In the context of a loving and caring relationship we are able to determine the needs of teens and
are often qualified to help them address those needs.
•COLLABORATION
By taking the time to build collaborating relationships within the community we are able to refer
a teen to someone better equipped to meet a specific need.
COMMUNICATING CAMPUS MINISTRY
What is Campus ministry? Get used to this question, and get comfortable answering it to a wide
audience. As we talk with the different people who will ask that question, we are never trying to
hide who we are. To the contrary, we are trying to avoid unclear words (especially religious
phrases that mean different things to different people). Campus ministry is impossible to
describe, but we seek to speak “their” language so they understand.
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS / TEACHERS
Want to Know:
Who is responsible for Campus ministry?
Introduce yourself and your accountability structure and leadership.
What activities does Campus ministry provide and who is involved?
Campus ministry hosts meetings, events and trips. Any student is welcome (Be ready
to share the names of some leadership students).
Are you going to create a controversy?
We want to work with the school and support it any way we can.
What would you do with students if you are on campus?
Get to know them better so we can be available to them as they navigate through adolescence.
To administrators, Campus ministry is a non-denominational youth organization. Along with
fantastic events and trips, our weekly meetings address the issues teenagers face and relate those
topics to basic Christian principles.
PASTORS
Want to Know:
Where does Campus ministry fit?
Share a quick history including core ministries.
Who is responsible for Campus ministry?
Introduce yourself, your background and your accountability structure.
Don’t we have doctrinal differences?
Be comfortable with our Statement of Faith, and with the fact that we
address basic Christian truths and avoid controversial doctrines.
Don’t we compete with the church for the same students?
We target lost students. When Christian students choose to be involved we encourage them in
their church involvement, and help them to integrate their faith with their daily life and to reach
out to their friends. When kids make a decision, churched students are the natural bridge for the
new believers into a church.
To pastors, Campus ministry is an arm of the church targeting un-churched students. We are
supported by many different denominations and have learned to navigate the sometimes tricky
waters of connecting to many churches, while staying focused on our mission.
PARENTS
Want to Know:
Who is responsible for Campus ministry?
Introduce yourself and your accountability structure.
What are the staff qualifications?
Tell them your personal story and training, and the screening and training of your ministry team.
What are you teaching students?
We use a national curriculum that addresses the issues teenagers face (they like to hear a couple
of actual examples). A staff person relates that topic to basic Christian principles.
Who plans, directs and supervises your trips and events?
They think you make good decisions, but they want to make sure!
To parents, Campus ministry is a Christian based organization which provides a safe, fun place
for their child where they will be accepted, encouraged to make good decisions and provided
positive opportunities.
STUDENTS
Want to know:
Who are you? Why are you hanging out at a high school/middle school?
As the Campus ministry director, you are meeting students to see who would be interested in
helping get Campus ministry started.
Isn’t Campus ministry a youth group/ Christian group?
Really it is quite different from most youth groups. It is not tied to a particular church or
denomination, and students from several different churches, or no church at all are involved.
Who goes to Campus ministry?
Students are very sensitive about this. A broad cross section of students involved gives you the
best opportunity to have a good answer to this question. You hope someone they know and like is
already involved!
What happens at a Campus ministry meeting?
A fun combination of games, mixers and discussions that help students address the issues they
face every day.
What else does Campus ministry do?
Students love to know about the events and trips that we do!
How do you join Campus ministry?
You can’t join Campus ministry. There are no dues or membership requirements. All students are
welcome – just come whenever you can.
To students, Campus ministry is impossible to describe. You really have to experience it for
yourself!
Dozens of students cannot be wrong – it must be a fun place to be! Try it- if you don’t like it I’ll
buy you lunch.
BOTTOM LINE
We deliberately engage lots of Christians to intercede on behalf of the ministry site. We should
not just think about forming one prayer team, but form a few that will engage lots of Christians
at different levels. Have conversations with many people in person, through your support letters
and using social media to explore their interest in supporting your life and ministry through
prayer.
Three categories of prayer teams can easily be developed based on the frequency of your
communication with them.
MONTHLY TEAMS
Monthly teams receive update letters or emails that contain broad stroke information about the
progress being made in the mission to reach lost kids through your Campus ministry efforts.
These letters can be delivered electronically or through snail mail. They ought to stay focused on
the mission, keeping kids’ stories front and center. Prayer requests will likely be a bit more
general such as an upcoming trip or retreat.
WEEKLY TEAMS
Weekly teams will get the chance to look over your shoulder while you plan your schedule each
week. Your prayer requests give them visibility into what you’re doing, how you spend your
time, and which activities seem to jump off the page as important. This team prays as you head
over to the school for lunch on Monday, meet a student at McDonald’s on Tuesday and swing by
the athletic fields after school on Wednesday. God’s assistance at such times is exactly what we
need to overcome our own hesitations and be Spirit-led in our actions with students. These
weekly teams can easily be communicated to through email or using social media. Make your
communication enjoyable to read and you will encourage them in their commitment to pray for
you.
ON-CALL PRAYER TEAM
On call prayer team may also be a part of your monthly and weekly teams but are committed to
pray for you more regularly and specifically. Take advantage of text messaging as a way to offer
frontline updates and requests to those who are on call and ready to pray. God’s people are
willing to engage in the mission with you through prayer. Keeping them engaged requires you to
honor your end of the bargain—communicate as often as you promise without fail and don’t
neglect sharing with them how their prayers have been answered. To have an effective ministry
you must know the community in which you work. Each community is different, in
demographics, resources, culture, and attitudes towards teenagers. To know a community well
takes time and energy. It doesn’t happen overnight but is a continued process that is well worth
it.
PROFESSIONALISM
As you start relationships within the community remember you are an adult. You may work with
students but you must dress and act like a professional. This means dressing a little nicer when
you meet the principal for the first time and having a humble attitude as you meet parents. You
are communicating nonverbally with your dress, attitude, and even the language you use. Your
professionalism is important to school and community leaders eventually trusting you with their
students.
SCHOOL
To administrators, teachers and students it's a school, but to you it's a mission field. A Campus
ministry staff person’s main goal is to reach every student possible. Talk to anyone who can tell
you anything about the school. Obtain a school calendar, athletic schedules and information
about other clubs or organizations. Students, parents and alumni can give you valuable
information about your school's unique history and personality.
REPUTATION
It is important to know the reputation that Campus ministry might have at your school. Gain as
much of this information as possible. You don’t want to learn negative Campus ministry stories
from the wrong people. Simply ask:
1. Has your school ever had Campus ministry?
a. - If so, what was the reputation of the club and the staff? And why is it no longer there?
b. - If not, do other schools in your community or town have Campus ministry? What is
the reputation there?
KEY ADULT RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE SCHOOL
There will always be “key” adults at a school that hold a certain amount of power because of
their position, longevity, or loud voice. These are the people you should know:
1. ADMINISTRATORS. This is a very important group of people to consider. At the beginning
of a ministry especially, it is important to get this right. Make an appointment to meet with the
principal. If a parent or teacher, who is respected by the principal, can call ahead or go along, you
will gain credibility. On the other hand, a parent or teacher who has been a problem in the district
or is perceived as particularly “religious” could bias the administration against you from the
start. The primary goal at this appointment is to simply inform an administrator, preferably the
principal, what Campus ministry is all about. They want to know that you are accountable to a
responsible organization, that you are not going to create constant controversy for them and that
you are not there to proselytize or pressure students in any way. Principals do not like surprises.
Leave an attractive brochure with a non-Christian-friendly description of Campus ministry,
endorsement letters from other area school administrators and a business card.
Secondary, ask about school policies for clubs and different ways to connect with students. You
should try to accomplish the following:
1. Ask if you need to fill out a form in the student activities office. The more you function like
the other clubs in the school, the more quickly the school will accept you. 2. Without assuming
any privileges (because you are guaranteed none) ask which channels of communication the
school makes available for clubs (P.A., posters, bulletin boards, newspaper, yearbook).
3. Request permission for staff to be in the building during lunch (campus visits). Your primary
purpose is to remind students you already know about club and other Campus ministry events
and trips. As club grows, you will know hundreds of students. Being present in their world is the
best way to stay in contact with them.
If the principal is hesitant to allow campus visits, offer to:
Restrict your contacts to only students you know (and the friends they introduce you to)
Come in only once or twice a week
Hang out in one or two designated areas
These will alleviate the fear of you "pressuring" students.
None of these “concessions” significantly lessen the benefits of campus visits. It is always worth
whatever process you need to go through to end up with the privilege of being in the school. In
the worst case, an after school campus visit is better than nothing. Offer to serve at school events.
Chaperoning dances, taking tickets at a game, or working concessions all give you visibility in
the community. Helping out in an area of interest or expertise such as sports, cheerleading,
drama, music, debate or language clubs can also be a great “in.” On the other hand, taking
primary responsibility, as a coach or advisor, can become a huge distraction and confuse your
role in the school. While discussing school events, ask whom you should see about requesting an
athletic pass. Encourage the administration to give you feedback throughout the year. Make sure
they feel free to call if they have questions or hear of any problems associated with Campus
ministry. This lets them know you value a good relationship with the school.
2. SECRETARIES, CUSTODIANS, AND SECURITY GUARDS. These three groups of people
hold the keys to the school. Many times doors are open to you when you have good relationships
with these individuals. From the first time you are in the school make sure you have the mindset
that it is a privilege to be there. In no way treat it like you have the right to do what you want.
Always introduce yourself keeping in mind that God has you there for a reason. Go above and
beyond to gain favor in the school. Make sure to ask security guards where to park and what
procedures must be followed when checking in, ask custodians about building policies, always
clean up your own mess after club and pick up the flyers left on the ground.
3. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, AND TEACHERS. There are
many people that you need to work with to accomplish healthy and sustainable ministry through
Campus ministry, these are just a few examples. Be attentive to all the relationships that God
may be providing as you get to know a school and community.
PARENTS
You cannot have a really successful youth ministry without involving and relating well to
parents. Parents that understand the purpose and potential of Campus ministry can make a huge
difference by encouraging staff, representing Campus ministry in the community, and helping
grow the ministry.
CONNECTING TO PARENTS
You have many opportunities in your regularly scheduled Relational Ministry Actions to meet
parents. Introduce yourself at school events and activities. Have a staff person at the curb where
students are dropped off and picked up for club, to be available if parents have a question about
Campus ministry or an upcoming event or trip. Ask your students to introduce you to their
parent(s) when you bump into their family at a restaurant, at the mall or when dropping them off
at home.
Parents have a story too. Don’t be afraid to live your 3Story life in front of them. You never
know when you might be the best support they have. At the very least, knowing the parents helps
you better understand your students
HINT:
You may be able to get a student/parent directory with names and addresses from the school.
COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS
Even if they don’t call you and ask directly, parents do want to know something about this crazy
Campus ministry thing their student can’t stop talking about. As the ministry gets off the ground
look for opportunities to keep them informed.
Hold a meeting for interested parents before you even begin, or as you get started.
Send a September, January, and May letter or email each year. Give parents an update on the
scope of your Campus ministry club, a calendar of upcoming events, and a list of ways they can
help.
Create a monthly email or use social media to give an update of events and trips.
Hold an informational meeting before major trips.
Invite parents to an actual Campus ministry meeting on family. Include them in appropriate
crowd breakers, role plays and in a discussion and wrap-up. Consider a brief Q&A with a couple
of staff immediately after.
INVOLVING PARENTS
Many parents are used to participating in the activities their children are involved in (especially
in Middle School). Getting their help doing various tasks, or serving on necessary teams may be
easier than you think.
Tasks parents could help with:
Open their home as a meeting place for club, building times or small groups.
Drive a van for an event or trip.
Provide snacks for club or breakfast for student leadership.
Help with a student fundraiser to raise funds for trips.
Help with a fundraiser for staff support.
Represent Campus ministry to a missions committee at their church.
Team parents could serve on:
Ministry Team. Some parents simply relate well to teens, are respected by their kid’s friends and
can lend a little maturity to your staff team.
Special Event Committee. This can be a good way to engage the expertise and energy of a few
parents for a short period of time as you plan and pull off a larger event or fundraiser.
Community Support Team. In a later section we’ll look at the importance of this team to help
grow the ministry, and support it financially.
CHURCHES AND OTHER LIKE-MINDED PARTNERS
As you begin to establish Campus ministry in your school or community, remember that Spirit-
led unity is crucial for fruitful and sustainable ministry. It is critical to establish positive
relationships with churches and other youth workers. The Body of Christ was created to work
together. And “together” means all of us - youth workers, student leaders, teachers, parents, other
adults - everyone who loves Jesus and loves teens. We must stand “side by side” for the sake of
the mission of sharing Christ with lost students.
In order for you to establish this type of unity, you will need to develop an attitude of humility
and a spirit of unity. Seek to humbly serve the local church in the mission of reaching lost young
people. We are not trying to become an alternative youth group, rather a strategic extension of
existing youth ministry in the area. Seek to partner with “like minded” followers of Jesus. Some
churches will be excited to stand “side by side” with Campus ministry, others may not agree with
this strategy or statement of faith. We desire to communicate our mission clearly and do our best
to unite the Body of Christ.
As you begin consider the following:
1. Identify all the churches that may be interested in ongoing youth ministry at the school.
2. Join the National Network of Youth Ministries at www.nnym.org - it will connect you to other
youth pastors in your area. Also join www.everystudent.com - it will connect you to other
ministries in your community. Attend, or host, a youth ministry network gathering or start by
having coffee with two or three other youth workers.
This team is crucial to the fruitfulness and longevity of the Campus ministry because they own
the ministry at a level designed to outlive any one individual Campus ministry director. This
team is the manpower behind the process of funding the ministry. These team members should
become your greatest allies and advocates in the community.
ESTABLISH A START-UP COMMITTEE
To begin ministry, we need to organize informational meetings for Christian adults covering a
wide cross-section of the community. This meeting communicates the mission and the process of
establishing a start-up committee to launch Campus ministry in their community. This start-up
committee needs to include 6-12 individuals or couples representing several churches in the area.
They should meet 1-2 times a month for the following purposes:
Prayer for God’s guidance and direction.
Updates concerning the response of people who have been informed about Campus ministry
since the last meeting. This would include faculty from the school, churches, business people
from the community, parents etc.
Updates concerning how much money (in pledges) have been committed. A healthy goal for a
start up committee would be to raise at least half of the needed funds for that ministry site. As
this group gathers for their meetings, it is important to always have pledge cards available.
Money is often raised through those who are involved as committee members in this beginning
stage of the ministry. It is also important to let the church community know what Campus
ministry is attempting to accomplish.
The role of the Campus ministry leader is to attend all committee meetings, answer questions
about the process and be available for appointments with faculty at the school, business people in
the community, and staff at local churches. The community has to be active in opening doors to
key relationships.
ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM
Once Campus ministry is started in a community under the direction of a Campus ministry
director it is time to transition from a Start-Up Committee to a Community Support Team. A
healthy Community Support
Team includes the following:
Who: 6-12 Christian adults/couples who believe in the mission of Campus ministry and live in
the community.
Where: Focused on one community (one main high school and the middle schools that feed into
that high school).
When: Teams usually meet 6 times a year (meetings are 90 to 120 minutes each).
Why: To support and grow Campus ministry in their community
Raise 50% or more of Campus ministry Budget
Raise awareness of Campus ministry
Pray and encourage the ministry team
Help grow Campus ministry into other schools in their community
LEAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM MEETINGS
Each team meeting should involve the following key pieces:
Update on current ministry
Student testimony demonstrating a changed life
Update on current budget situation
Ministry team update
Discuss future community support:
. Fundraising events
. Fundraising appointments
. Community awareness
Assign tasks and next steps to team members
Set next meeting
Spend time in prayer
Campus ministry staff build Loving Relationships through a balanced practice of the 6 Relational
Ministry Actions:
Contacting - going into the world of young people in order to initiate new relationships.
Building Time - spending time in shared activities with young people in order to build new
relationships and model Christ-like behavior. Everyday shared experiences - Trips - Events
Club - a weekly large group meeting of more than 25 students that’s high energy, safe, and non-
Christian friendly.
Appointments - meeting one on one to provide individual attention and focus on a young
person’s specific needs.
Small Groups - a structured interactive meeting with 2-12 young people
Student Leadership - Christian students who are committed to personal growth and influencing
the people around them for Christ.
CONTACTING
Going into the world of young people in order to initiate relationships. "For the son of Man came
to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10
WHY
Mass visibility on a regular basis Contacting helps you be seen as a part of the school. You are an
"adult IN the teenage world." It makes meeting someone for the first time easier and more
natural when they've "seen you around." Contacting promotes Campus ministry by enlarging the
pool of students aware of Campus ministry and by reminding students already involved of
upcoming meetings, events and trips.
Meet new students
Students can tell their friends about Campus ministry, but there is no substitute for meeting the
staff firsthand. With every student you meet, you gain a little more knowledge about "your
school". There's probably more truth than cynicism to the adage, "It's not what you know, it's
who you know."
Grow existing relationships
Meeting new students is the key purpose of contacting but it also provides opportunities to grow
existing relationships. Staff are able to touch base with regular Campus ministry students, those
who have not been involved for a while, and those they’ve met recently.
WHERE
Campus visits
Campus visits are aimed at the times students are free to talk: before and after school, and at
lunch time. They are based on an understanding between you and the school administration.
Never start campus visits without first meeting with the principal to introduce them to Campus
ministry, and to get their permission and guidelines for promoting Campus ministry. It is a
privilege to have access to your school— treat it responsibly. Your freedoms will increase as you
gain the administration's trust.
School Events
Our presence at school events (home and away), demonstrates to adults and students, that we are
interested in every aspect of student life. It enables us to discuss the events with participants we
know and to carry on a knowledgeable conversation about school life. Attend a variety of events
to reach the largest cross section of the student body possible. Large events provide mass
visibility while less attended events provide opportunity to talk at length with spectators, parents,
and even get involved with the event itself.
Community Hang-Outs
Don't overlook popular "hang-outs." Away from the structure of the school hallway or event, the
local hang-out is a more relaxed setting and will often provide opportunities for more extended
conversation.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
To make contacting as effective as possible be sure you:
Meet someone new
Don't fall into the trap of spending all your time with students you already know. Target key
leaders who could help promote Campus ministry if they get involved.
Give students space
Relationships take time. Be sensitive to the students' response and don't wear out your welcome.
"Be seen, be known, be gone!"
Remember names
Making the effort to remember names demonstrates that you are interested in each student as an
individual.
Follow up contacts
Consciously (or in writing) keep track of new contacts and seek out opportunities to build on the
relationship. Make use of relationships you already have. Students you already know are your
best connection to the rest of the student body. Introduce yourself to their friends (or train them
to) and arrange to attend events with them so you don't have to go by yourself.
Remember your mission
Believing that students will be better off if they get to know you will give you confidence and
help you focus on accepting them rather than fearing rejection by them. Be patient--it does get
easier with every student you meet.
Use publicity wisely
P.A. announcements, printed materials, and/or promotion through technology can inform
students while building your image. Be sure all communication pieces are well designed,
accurate, creative and available when needed.
BUILDING TIME
Spending time in shared activities with young people in order to build relationships and model
Christ-Like behavior. "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." I Corinthians
11:1
WHY
Develop relationships through a shared activity. Building times are opportunities to GET TO
KNOW students you MEET through contacting or at club. They also get to know you, enabling
you to break down religious stereotypes and "win the right to be heard."
Model a relationship with Christ
We demonstrate a relationship with Christ whenever we spend time with students in real-life
situations i.e. playing basketball, driving, ordering fast food, hanging around home. Students we
spend time with see the credibility of Christianity, develop a positive attitude toward the Gospel
and are more likely to respond to Christ at a future appointment, Campus ministry meeting, small
group, special event or trip.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
To make Building Times as effective as possible be sure you:
Involve as many students as possible.
Avoid spending all your time with a few students that you feel comfortable with.
Plan the right building time
The best building time is simply doing an activity that a group of students enjoy. A building time
will be especially memorable if the students experience something new i.e. water skiing, paint
ball, etc.
Set a good example
Just as being a positive example "wins the right to be heard"; setting a negative example loses the
right to be heard.
Act like an adult
Some activities students would enjoy i.e. toilet papering, Chinese fire drills, egging, snowballing
cars could damage your reputation with parents, administrators and donors. If it is a Campus
ministry activity, adults expect you to be in charge of and responsible for the activity.
Play it safe
Never take a short cut when planning potentially dangerous activities i.e. repelling, water sports,
paint ball, winter sports, biking. If you cannot do it safely, don't do it.
EXTENDED BUILDING TIMES
Campus ministry trips take young people out of their environment for a shared experience. Trips
provide an environment where God transforms lives through collected before memorable
experiences, authentic Christ-centered relationships, and a clear presentation of the gospel.
Events
An Event is a Campus ministry sponsored activity that enhances the ministry program’s image.
During events, we take students out of their normal environment for a shared experience that
creates memories and provides opportunities to share Christ.
CLUB
A weekly large group meeting of more than 25 student that is high energy, safe, fun, and non-
Christian friendly. "He welcomed them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God." Luke
9:11
The craziness, discussions, and creativity of the weekly club meeting are what most people know
as “Campus ministry." Club, however is just one activity in the weekly ministry at any school.
Since club is the place where many students first come in contact with the Campus ministry staff,
we put great emphasis on making the meeting the best, most creative, and well-planned event of
the week.
WHY
To the student body, Campus ministry club is a place to go.
Creates community
Club's non-threatening atmosphere gives students a place to belong. Meetings give students a
chance to discuss issues important to teenagers and learn how a relationship with God affects all
areas of life. Club is a place to be heard.
Provides opportunity
After experiencing a meeting, students are more likely to participate in other Campus ministry
activities, making Campus ministry a place to get involved.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Although the weekly Campus ministry meeting will to some extent take on the personality of the
staff, school, and students involved, to make it as effective as possible, be sure you consider the
following:
Preparation
Know the topic at least a few weeks in advance (use a year long curriculum for the best results).
This gives staff time to find crowd breakers, and illustrations from current events or the media,
that relate to the topic. It also allows time for better publicity, and for staff to think of the little
extras (ie. music, props, decorations).
Get materials together early in the day and arrive at least 45 minutes before club starts. This
helps staff be relaxed and able to handle last minute problems.
Location
Club can take place in multiple settings, i.e. host homes, school campuses, churches, community
centers, teen centers, etc.
Pre-club visit
When considering a new location, be sure the available room will work for a meeting, before
agreeing to have club there.
Club site
Contact the site to make sure they are still expecting you and will help the meeting run smoothly
by eliminating distractions: pets, little children, noise, etc. Always check with your site before
moving furniture, using TVs, or hanging anything on the walls. Plan ahead for parking and
always leave the room as clean as you found it.
Meeting room
-Arrange the room so that students will feel like "this place is packed".
-The "front" of the room should be opposite the main entrance to reduce the distraction of late
comers.
-Remove breakable items and extra furniture. Keep only furniture that can be the back row.
-Use banners, posters and calendars to make the room "Campus ministry's."
-Consider the use of a sound system with crowds of 50 or more.
-Turn on all available lighting.
-The temperature will inevitably rise 5-10 degrees when students start packing in. If possible,
start cooling the room if it is above 70 degrees.
-Playing popular music as students arrive helps them feel comfortable and provides a
background of sound. Pre-recording the background music allows you to select songs that fit
with the topic and don't include objectionable lyrics.
-Ask the host student, a student leader, or a ministry team member to meet students at the door,
and direct them to the meeting.
Informal
Although the meeting is carefully planned and prepared (staff know exactly what is going to
happen), there is a structured casualness to all we do. Using music appropriately (before, after
and during the meeting) and hanging posters, pictures and flyers are two ways to help create an
informal setting.
Weekly
Meeting every week provides a consistent place for students to "belong" and keeps them
involved and interested. Promotion is easier because one meeting can build on the next and
students don't have to ask "is there Campus ministry this week?"
Time
Years of experience have proven that a unique starting time, such as 7:17pm, helps publicize
club. The high school club meeting should last between 60 and 75 minutes, middle school
between 30-60 minutes. Club can take place at a variety of times, before, during, or after school,
as well as in the evening. All these times can be great options, make sure to choose the best time
for your situation.
Non-Christian friendly
Our goal is to have the majority in attendance not know Jesus and to create programming that
communicates to their level, without "churchy" language and assuming no knowledge of the
Bible.
Open “membership”
Students don't "join" Campus ministry and there are no dues or membership fees. Everyone is
welcome to come whenever they can.
Involvement
Campus ministry is not a lecture series or just a staff performance. Meetings need to allow
students to laugh, be actively involved, and express their opinions and ideas. Most meetings
include crowd breakers, discussion, and a wrap-up.
Hang-out time
Be careful not to overlook the importance of hang-out time before and after club. This is prime
time to meet students, get to know them better, and interact with them in a safe, non-threatening
environment. Video games, a pool table, ping pong, basketball, volleyball, etc. are great extras.
Many clubs make good use of a local pizza parlor or fast food spot as an after club hang out. Be
sure to get parent permission or make them aware if you are hanging out after club.
APPOINTMENTS
Meeting one on one to provide individual attention and focus on a young person’s specific need.
"We instructed you how to live in order to please God..." I Thessalonians 4:1
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All one on one ministry is done MALE: MALE or FEMALE: FEMALE. When necessary to do
an appointment with a student of the opposite sex take a ministry team member that is the same
sex as the student. Just one accusation (true or false) of inappropriate behavior can discredit your
ministry and damage the reputation of Campus ministry. It is also a great idea to let parents know
you are meeting with their teen.
WHY
Know more about a student
Generally you will learn more about a student in an one hour appointment than from their
involvement in weeks of other Campus ministry meetings and activities. For some students you
may be the most trusted adult they know. The individual attention encourages students to open
up and allows staff to give honest feedback.
Address a specific need
Appointments can address an issue raised by the student or personalize a discussion from a
recent club meeting or small group. They are also effective for follow up, checking up on new
Christians and the discipleship of growing Christians.
Present the Gospel
Youth for Christ veterans will attest to the extreme value in having a student's undivided
attention while discussing the most important issue in all of life: A personal relationship with
Jesus Christ.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
To make Appointments as effective as possible be sure to...
Pray
It is especially important in an appointment to be sensitive to God's direction in responding to the
student.
Select appropriate location
The meeting place should be free of distractions or interruptions and allow for relaxed
conversation. A meal or snack may provide the most comfortable setting.
Assume nothing
Be careful not to guess what the student is thinking, project how they will respond, or expect
them to be as spiritually mature as you are. Also remember there are two sides to every story.
Get to the point
Appointments should be set up with a specific purpose in mind. Avoid the temptation to begin
with a lot of small talk which postpones and de-emphasizes your purpose. Sit down and get to
the point.
Use listening skills
Be genuinely interested in what they say and listen carefully to understand what they mean.
Don’t be shocked by what you hear, and always accept them unconditionally.
Help them solve
Teach them to be independently dependent on Christ. Help them list possible solutions, instead
of giving them all the "right" answers.
Use un-churched sensitive language
When applying biblical principles, avoid "churchy" vocabulary and Christian clichés. Recognize
that many students have little Bible knowledge and need a detailed explanation of Bible stories
or references.
Know your limits
Don't claim to know more than you do. If you can't answer a question, offer to find an answer
and get back to them. If you feel you cannot help them, refer them to someone who can and help
them make the transition if necessary.
Maintain confidentiality
Promise confidentiality except in cases of a student being hurt or threatening to hurt themselves
or others. Your chapter should have a policy that meets your state's requirement for reporting
abuse.
SMALL GROUPS
A structured interactive meeting with 2-12 young people. "...we were delighted to share with you
not only the Gospel of God but our very lives as well." 1 Thessalonians 2:8
WHY
Address a specific need
Small groups focus on a common interest or need. The possibilities are as varied as the students
with whom you work (follow up, evangelistic, Bible study, topical--relationships, sex, self-
image, divorce, etc.).
Create a safe place for honest sharing
The staff person is not teaching a "lesson." He/she is honestly sharing his/her life, heart, feelings,
convictions, experiences, and ideas just like the other members of the group.
Provide personal attention and interaction
Each student has the opportunity to express themselves, as well as, to more fully interact with the
thoughts and opinions of others.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
To make Small Groups as effective as possible be sure to...
Set them up intentionally
Ask specific students (usually 6-12) to meet for a specific purpose with a specific time frame
(60-90 minutes per week for 3-6 weeks).
Follow small group rules
-Be honest or be silent
-Be totally confidential
-Be there each week
-Be authentic
Do not try to be something you're not and be VULNERABLE- your failings do not damage the
Gospel, they demonstrate God's grace.
-Be flexible
Don't be afraid to set aside your plan to pursue a hot issue that surfaces or to take advantage of a
teachable moment related to events in the life of the group.
Use good listening skills
Help the group to understand each other clearly. Try to control group members who interrupt,
dominate discussion or always have the "right answer."
Start and end on time
Students are busy and their time is important to them. Be sure the scheduled small group time
really is a small group. Don't frustrate group members by starting late, going long or wasting
their time.
Use a student host when appropriate
Allowing a student to help select the group, and be responsible to remind everyone weekly
usually increases participation and makes our job easier.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Christian student leaders are those who are committed to personal growth and influencing of the
people around them for Christ. "And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the
Lord Jesus, and come with Him into the presence of God the Father to give Him your thanks."
Col 3:17
WHY
Shared ownership of the Campus ministry mission
The Club Director alone can impact a limited number of students during a limited number of
hours per week. Student Leaders are in school five days a week and can greatly multiply our
efforts and enhance our image on campus.
Positive peer influence
It is always easier to take a stand when you're not alone. The positive relationships between
Student Leaders alone will attract students to Campus ministry "Your strong love for each other
will prove to the world that you are my disciples" (John 13:35).
Training and equipping teens to reach their friends for Christ
Many Christian students have a desire to share Christ and have been told they should share
Christ. Student Leadership provides training and encourages them to share their faith effectively
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers
in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity," I Tim 4:12
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Recruit the right students
Students considered for Student Leadership should already be active in Campus ministry, be
respected in the school, have a growing relationship with Christ, and be morally sound.
Use a job description / application
A job description clearly communicates the expectations we have for Student Leaders and is less
threatening and less formal than a "contract".
Schedule weekly meetings
Student Leader meetings give staff a regular point of contact for planning and promoting
meetings, trips and events. It is also an important time of discipleship. Meetings should include
training in relational evangelism, Bible study for personal growth, and prayer for each other and
the Campus ministry ministry.
Provide training opportunities
In addition to a local training event once or twice a year be sure to include area wide, regional or
national events. Big events have big impact!
Have “check up” appointments
We need to remember that Student Leaders are still students. At least twice a year meet with each
of them to give individual attention to their relationship with Christ.
Avoid guilt
Be aware that if students feel guilty it is natural to both avoid and devalue the source of the guilt.
The last thing we want to happen is for our key students to be avoiding us and talking down
Campus ministry. The Student Leader Job Description should encourage students to talk to staff
as soon as they find themselves struggling to meet the criteria of Student Leadership.
SITE VISIT
One of the best ways to learn Campus ministry is to see it in action. We recommend that you
visit an effective Campus ministry. It is not only important and valuable for you to see great
ministry but it is also helpful if a National Campus ministry/ Campus ministry [M] Team
member comes to see you do ministry during your first year. They are a great asset to your
success in ministry, giving you encouragement and helpful feedback.
COACH
A coach in any area of expertise can be extremely valuable. This could be a person you are most
honest with in sharing your fears and failures in ministry. It could also be a person that has been
around long enough to have answers to some of your questions.
RECRUITING HINT: Take time to thank God for the fact that He doesn’t call us to walk this
ministry journey alone. He knows we will suffer emotionally, financially, and spiritually if we
don’t recruit. Invite others to lead with us.
Carve out space in your schedule to make a plan, and ask God to provide exactly what you need.
Don’t relegate empowering others to whatever time you can “take away from ministry” to
scrounge up some help.
SCREENING
Adults interested in joining your ministry team must complete an application. A Campus ministry
staff person must check references, perform background check, do an interview and file all
information.
MEETING
Ministry team meetings should always include relational time, student stories, training, and next
steps in ministry. In addition to weekly meetings, consider quarterly training meetings, annual
retreats and a couple meetings a year to show appreciation.
PACE & RATIO
Early on, it will be harder to engage your ministry team in direct ministry due to a limited
number of teen relationships. The best way forward is to invite adult volunteers to join you as
you begin to make initial contacts with students. This will make contacting new students more
comfortable for both parties and start connecting other adults to teens right away. At the same
time, you need to see yourself as primary in leading the charge toward meeting and developing
new relationships with lost teens. Your early work should set the stage for others to follow in
your footsteps with more ease.
You will always be limited in your overall growth by the number of committed adult volunteers
you have on your team. One person can only know and go deep with so many teenagers. Once
club starts try to have a healthy dose of adult help but not so much that it overwhelms new teens.
Basic guidelines for student to adult ratios:
High school trips: 7 students to 1 adult
High school club: 10 students to 1 adult
Middle school trips: 5 students to 1 adult
Middle school club: 8 students to 1 adult
We assume that by this point you have taken the time to digest Campus ministry 101. Let’s get
started in student ministry. Remember that relationships with lost teens are always primary and
excellent programming can be added once those relationships are developed.
CONTACTING
Build your schedule around the teenage world to meet teens on their turf. Show up to cheer on
and meet students at athletic events, band concerts, and plays. Regularly visit lunches, if your
school administration allows. Your consistent and intentional presence speaks volumes and will
eventually help connect you to more students.
Take advantage of your team’s natural gifts. If you played a sport growing up you might consider
talking with the Athletic Director about being a volunteer coach a couple days a week. If
someone on your team is gifted in the area of music see if you can help them get connected to the
band, school musicals, etc.
Serve in the school as a volunteer. Go through the formal process to become a school volunteer
and look for a place to get involved. This creates some easy ways to meet a need for the school
and build relationships naturally.
Use any existing connections to start meeting students. For example, if you know a couple
students and see them at a school event or lunch, ask if they can introduce you to their friends.
A few tips to consider:
•Set a personal goal to meet and remember names of kids prior to starting club. Push yourself to
meet a variety of teens knowing that you will have a deeper connection with some.
•It is always easier to meet teens while in a group; go with other adults on your ministry team
and meet students together. Or even go with other teens to meet their friends.
•Remember you are not only meeting teens, but you are also meeting key adults (administration,
secretaries, etc.)
•Contacting can grow existing relationships
•Be aware of non-verbal cues especially from the opposite sex.
BUILDING TIMES
Listen carefully when meeting teens and look for natural ways to take the relationship to the next
level. One of the easiest ways to initiate a deeper relationship is to invite several students to share
an activity with you they already enjoy doing. If several guys mention they love playing
basketball you might try to set up a fun 3 on 3 game one day after school with several of their
friends. Make sure to introduce yourself to parents or get their permission, especially with
middle school students. Building times are a great place to engage ministry team members right
away. Try to always bring other adult volunteers along to help foster more connections between
teens and adults. If you are a male staff hanging out with all girls, make sure to bring a female
ministry team leader.
If you are starting Campus ministry in a school/community that is in close proximity to an
already existing Campus ministry site be sure to leverage this club for your launch. As you meet
teens and develop relationships invite them to join you at this neighboring Campus ministry club.
This will help them understand what Campus ministry is and what it might take to start one at
your school. If nothing else, it is one more shared experience with some teens and possibly
another place to naturally connect them to some of your ministry team.
PREPARING TO START CLUB
Typically it is good to give yourself 3-6 months to contact and do building times with teenagers-
especially when starting a brand new club with lost teens. Don’t try to complicate this time
period by adding programming. The goal is to have enough of the right kinds of relationships
with lost teenagers that when you introduce Campus ministry. Club it will feel natural, exciting,
and give students a great first impression.
When your Campus ministry team is in relationship with 100+ teens you can expect to start
Campus ministry club with 25 or more students. Remember that on any given night you choose
to start club some kids might be busy, some might forget, and others won’t really be interested
yet. Your goal should be to have at least 50% of your club as non-Christian students.
Taking over an existing Club
It is one challenge to start a brand new club but a very different challenge to take over an existing
one.
There are 3 options when taking over an existing club:
1. Continue going strong because club is in a good place and your transition was smooth. You
will still have to be intentionally meeting students but club can continue.
2. Take a small break, get acquainted with more students and start things back up while
momentum is still with you. It might be helpful to delay club a few weeks and be intentionally
contacting with your team and spending a lot of time in building times.
3. Take a longer break, (6 months) because club looks unhealthy (not very many students, no lost
students, etc.) and needs to get a healthy restart. Even you are taking over an existing club you
can take a break to start it off on the right foot. YOU only start once, do it right!
Core Team before Student Leadership
A core team is a small group of students (5-15) that is comfortable with you or someone on your
ministry team and is excited for Campus ministry to start. This team should reflect the type of
teens you want to show up for club: plenty who don’t know Jesus, some who do know Jesus, a
variety of ages and backgrounds, and all committed to seeing Campus ministry start. HINT:
As they own this fun adventure, they will help you spread the word. Make sure the first club
starts on the right foot. We recommend getting to know a lot students. This team meets for at
least a month, possibly longer, prior to starting of different club. Don’t forget that this team is not
just a means to an end. It is just a great place for you to develop deeper relationships with
students who want to share the hope of Christ. This team should continue to meet once club have
been involved starts on a weekly basis.
GETTING CLUB STARTED RIGHT
The first few club meetings set the tone and first impression for months to come. Plan carefully
and take time to make sure students are well aware of when and where club will be. We
recommend that you do one informational club meeting before having your Kick Off. Invite your
Core Team and other students your ministry team has a deepening relationship with to this
meeting. This will serve as a way to rally the most committed students while also giving them a
taste of what a Campus ministry club can look like. You can also use this informational meeting
to get this committed crew excited about inviting their friends.
The Kick Off – typically we go the extra mile to give teens an experience they won’t soon forget.
Be sure to see the Campus ministry Club curriculum for a lot of Kick Off ideas. Take time to
provide food, prizes, and dream up any extra fun ideas to make sure students are engaged.
Following your Kick Off be ready to invite kids to come back weekly at the same time for
Campus ministry. This weekly focus is very important for building consistency and momentum
with teens. We even suggest picking a strange time (7:17pm or 6:58am) so that it is easier to
remember.
First Club Series – we strongly suggest looking at the Campus ministry club curriculum and the
natural way the first several club series are planned is to bring more depth. Remember you will
have many opportunities to give teens a chance to respond.
CONSISTENT RELATIONAL MINISTRY
Just because Club has started doesn’t mean you get to put a hold on building relationships. This
is when your team should begin moving at full speed. Work hard to make additional connections
with teens that are coming to club outside of the weekly meeting. Also continue your hard work
of connecting with new students, especially the friends of teens you already know.
Though you are the point person for Campus ministry at your school, one of your main focuses
early on is to NOT allow Campus ministry to rotate around you. You need to purposefully grow,
develop, and connect your ministry team to students. Set up club so that they play an important
role, introduce them to students, involve them in the full relational ministry process, and always
be intentional about setting them up for success.
As Campus ministry continues to develop in this first year begin to implement other key
relational ministry actions that are part of Campus ministry. Work with your Ministry Team to
start small groups with pockets of teens. Initiate appointments with teens to have deeper
conversations. Plan your first trip (an extended building time) and make them a regular part of
your ministry calendar. You will often need to do a lot of initiating to form small groups, set up
appointments and get teens on trips.
Some hints to help foster relational growth:
After a couple club series ask teens to sign up if interested in a Campus ministry small group that
will go a bit deeper on the subject matter you just covered. Use this small group to connect key
adult volunteers to students in a smaller setting.
Make sure to bring adult volunteers on your first trip even if numbers are lower so that they can
make great connections with teens. This longer shared experience will launch them forward into
deeper relationships.
Each week a part time staff person (15-20 hours) should attempt to practice a nice blend of:
Contacting: 2-3 contacting events
Building Times: at least 1 strategic building time every other week
Appointments: at least 1 appointment
Small Group: lead at least 1 regular small group
Club: have club weekly
Student Leadership: grow into having Student Leadership weekly
STARTING STUDENT LEADERSHIP
We recommend that you grow into student leadership and wait at least one year. For the first year
you should focus working with a core team (mentioned above). Once the first school year is
over, use he summer as a natural break to evaluate next steps. You should plan to start student
leadership when you have enough Christian. Once you have enough students that fit this
description (6-12) it is safe to transition from a core team to a Student Leadership Team. This
transition feels most natural at Christmas break or summer break. Remember you can always
keep the core team together longer as a healthy small group to invest in. However, your Student
Leadership team will take on a new level of depth, commitment, and direction because of the
shared faith.
Existing Student Leadership
Many will start a club that already has student leadership. There are two actions you can take:
keep the existing group going or take a break for 6 months to a year and then start again new. If
you feel like the existing group is full of the right kinds of kids, leaders in the school and
community living out their faith then continue. If you inherit a student leadership group that is
not full of the right kinds of students and feels unhealthy it may be better to take a break.
SHARING GOD’S STORY
The most important relationship to point a student to is their relationship with Jesus. Knowing
the highpoints of the Gospel and being comfortable sharing them may be our most important
responsibility. We summarize God's Story with four words Relationship, Resist, Restore, and
Respond. They are not a formula, or a linear process we must always walk through. Different
students respond first to any one of the truths these words communicate. All four truths are
important, however, to ensure students are making an informed decision.
FAQ’S
What if I try to start club and barely anyone comes?
We suggest three things:
1. Move this meeting to more of a shared experience using the same time slot every week for
high school students. Maybe meet for bowling one week, then ice cream the next, and so on.
2. Ramp up your investment in contacting and building times. Work hard to get volunteers
joining you in this activity to create more healthy connections. And remember you can now
invite teens to a regular shared experience that is in place of your club meeting. Make sure to get
parent permission especially with middle school students.
3. Begin to plan your next club for 1-2 months down the road. This time make sure you go the
extra mile getting the word out (social media, text messages, phone calls, etc.) and getting
committed kids excited about this club night.
What if I start club and things look good for a month or two but then the numbers dwindle pretty
significantly?
Ask yourself three questions:
1. Have I stopped doing contacting and building times? Have I gotten my ministry team involved
in doing relational ministry outside club with teens we are meeting? *If this is your weak spot…
the answer is easy. You have to continue to have a deep investment in pursuing lost teens and
building deep relationships (contacting and building times). You must work hard to connect more
and more adult volunteers to teens.
2. Is club excellent? Is club fun? Is club geared for lost teens? If club is struggling because it
isn’t excellent or safe for lost teens then you must make adjustments. Go visit someone else who
runs a successful club to see it in action.
3. Is something happening in teens’ schedule that is not allowing them to attend anymore? Do I
have the right night? The right time? The right location? Teens will always be busy and you will
never find the perfect time slot but work hard to find the best option! Be aware of the ebb and
flow of the school year. Remember this is relational ministry, continue contacting and build
relationships with other students.
What should I spend my time doing with my Core Team?
First, give them some ownership by discussing where to have club, what building times to plan,
and what key friends to invite.
Second, invest in them using the Scriptures. Let them know early that they have potential to be
leaders and you want to talk to them about leadership each week from the best source- the Word
of God. Take small pieces of Jesus’ story in the Gospels and use that to communicate leadership
nuggets. Also know that you are communicating Truth about the life of Christ!
What if no one will join my Core Team?
Chances are strong you don’t have strong enough relationships with a cross section of teenagers
to engage them on this team. They don’t trust you yet. They don’t see the vision for Campus
ministry yet. Make some deeper investments in building times to continue to share experiences
with key teens. If possible, take them to see a Club down the road or on a trip where other
Campus ministry students will be – this will often help them catch the vision.
When should I meet with my Core Team?
Choose a day, time, and location that allows for the least amount of conflict and distraction. Get
feedback from students you want to join about the best time to gather this team. The more depth
you have in relationship the more willing teens will be to meet a time before school when there
are no scheduling conflicts.
What if I have been meeting students for several months but I still feel like I have a long way to
go?
Ask the students. Do they feel like they would attend Campus ministry club and/or bring their
friends? How many actual students do you know? At some point you will have to take a risk and
start Campus ministry club. If you aren’t sure, take advantage of a member of the Campus
ministry National Leadership teams for further counsel on timing.
What if I am having trouble getting my Ministry Team (volunteers) to connect with students in
this start up phase?
This will always be difficult. It is hard for most adults to move into a teenager’s world to make
deeper connections, especially with lost teens. Our best advice is to always take adult volunteers
along with you to do relational ministry. When you go contacting – take them along. When you
do a building time – take them along. When you start a small group – have one adult volunteer
join you. Set them up for success at club by doing small group discussion times where they help
facilitate.
You didn’t come into youth ministry so you could think about safety. Of course not, no one
comes to a club for that reason. But taking a little bit of time to think about it now can save you a
lot of time thinking about it later. What will you do if a guy takes that awesome game a little too
far and breaks his arm? Or if a girl has an asthma attack in the middle of your talk and she’s
turning purple on the floor? Or worse yet, what if one of your kids confides in you that her dad is
sexually abusing her? What will you do? Who can you turn to?
Unfortunately, these situations and worse have happened at Campus ministry. If you can prepare
in advance it will dramatically improve your chances of handling the situation appropriately
when it happens.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
First and foremost, you need to recognize that the responsibility for the safety of the students,
volunteers and other staff at your ministry site is yours. It’s a serious and significant
responsibility before God and the truth is parents trust you with their teens. Teens trust you with
their stories. Youth for Christ trusts you to follow our policies and to be smart. What happens at
your club meeting or with students is up to you.
RESOURCES
The single best resource you have is your own God-given common sense. Before you put a kid in
a position where they could be hurt, stop and ask, “Is this a good idea?” Have a plan in place for
how you will respond if there is an emergency. Seek accountability to make sure you are thinking
this through, and offer mutual accountability to other staff and volunteers.
1 Peter 5:8 calls us to “be sober and vigilant, for your adversary the devil roams around like a
roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” God won’t ask you to be sober and vigilant without
giving you the ability to do it. Be smart, be accountable and follow the guidelines on the next
page, and you will be fine. 99% of the injuries and lawsuits we face happen because no one was
thinking.
BASICS OF SAFETY
Background Checks – every staff person or volunteer who spends time with kids must volunteer
to have a background check. No exceptions. This process is pretty just helping out simple and
straightforward.
Mandated Reporting – When a minor is being abused or outright neglected, and you become
aware of it, you have a legal and moral responsibility to report it to the authorities. It doesn’t
matter if the young person thinks its ok, and if they told you in confidence. You must make a
report to Child Protective Services or the police.
Behind Closed Doors – One adult should never be behind closed doors with one young person,
including in a vehicle. Whether your intentions are good or not, an accusation of wrongdoing
could derail your ministry and irreversibly stain your reputation. Avoid the appearance of all evil,
protect yourself and your kids, don’t be alone with a kid or allow a volunteer to be.
Who Can Drive? In order to be a volunteer driver, a driver must be at least 21 years old, have a
valid driver’s license and meet a certain standard of auto insurance ($100,000/$300,000 limits)
on file.
Be Diligent – As you remain diligent about following policy and thinking through safety issues,
you protect yourself, your kids, your reputation and Campus ministry. It’s amazing how often
problems come up “that one time” when policies weren’t followed! Don’t take a day off on
safety. And don’t allow your coworkers or volunteers to either. Mutual accountability makes us
all better.
