11. We believe baptism by immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is a symbol of identification with Jesus in death, His burial, and His resurrection.
12. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the death, resurrection and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
13. We believe that all believers should seek, as the early disciples did, to live a life separated from the evils of the world and unto Christ.  The Believer’s standard of conduct should honor our Lord and His Church.
14. We believe the Bible clearly teaches eternal separation from God for the unsaved and eternal glory and service for the saved.
15. We believe the Holy Spirit comes to convict man of sin, regenerate the repentant believer, guide the believer into all truth, and indwell and give gifts to believers as He wills, that they may minister as Christ would to men.  It is the Holy Spirit that empowers believers for lives fully devoted to God.
16. We believe God uses doctors, medicines and other means of healing.  God also provides divine healing.
17. We believe each believer is a priest of the Lord and has direct access to the Father though the Lord Jesus Christ.
18. We believe that the Church is the bride of Christ and that the local church is the means that God intends to use to evangelize the world and to disciple the believer.

Why is membership a big deal?

It is important for us that Family Ministries leaders be members of Sugar Hill Church for several reasons:

Membership affirms the organic community that exists in the church.  The Bible is clear that we are created for relationship and that the interdependence of the various parts of the body of Christ are a part of God’s plan.  (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)  In membership we affirm God’s plan of connectedness and acknowledge our unique responsibility as a part of the body of Christ.

Membership affirms buy-in and commitment.  In membership, one acknowledges commitment to the mission of the church and pledges personal investment to meet needs through service and resources.

Membership affirms unity.  Through membership one acknowledges an understanding of core beliefs and values of the church and affirms support for those beliefs.  It is a statement of faith, commitment to biblical unity, and acceptance of biblical accountability.

Membership matters because it is a reciprocal agreement to community, service, and accountability.  It demonstrates that one is invested and can be relied on.  Membership is an affirmation of God’s plan for the local church.  Membership matters because the church matters.

The membership process is a great opportunity to learn more about the church and get any questions answered you may have.  If you have any questions or reservations about membership, please contact a Ministry Leader and allow us an opportunity to address your questions.

Transportation

• Adult Leaders should never transport kids or students by themselves.
• Two Adult Leaders should be present when transporting kids or students (either both in the same car, or following each other at a visible distance in the event of a caravan situation).
• Permission is required from a parent before any child or student can be transported (written permission preferred, verbal permission acceptable when written permission cannot be given).

*The only exceptions to the “two adult” rule in transporting kids or students is when an Adult Leader has their own children present as well, or under a “babysitter” situation: if a student babysitter requires transportation, the same gender adult may provide transportation directly home. Parents of the student babysitter must be contacted before and after transportation is provided.

Meeting with Minors

Meetings with students outside of ministry programs are encouraged as long as meetings are not held in a private setting. The following guidelines should be observed:

• Communicate with a parent that the meeting is taking place and the details of meeting.
• Have student meet you in public setting (Starbucks, the mall, etc.).
• Have other adult or student participate in meeting if reasonably possible.
• Communicate with parent immediately after the meeting.
• Text communications create a “digital trail” that account for the time, location, and details of a meeting.

We have a few guidelines that will determine your volunteer placement, and a few reasons we may ask you not to serve at this time:

• If you have been arrested for or convicted of an alcohol or drug-related offense in the past 12 months.
• If you are currently being treated for alcohol or drug abuse.
• If you have used any illegal substance in the past twelve months.
• If you consume alcohol to the point of being unable to drive legally.

Social Behavior / Communications

The kids (and/or the parents of the kids) in your group will definitely visit your social media platforms. We think social media can be a great way to connect with families outside of programming! However, they’ll also be able to see everything you post publicly. Please leverage your social media in a positive way. Please be mindful of everything you post.

We may ask you not to serve for the following reasons:

• If you use inappropriate language.
• If you post inappropriate pictures.
• You promote anything that does not represent the values of SHC.
• Any inappropriate communication with a child or student.

By signing below, I agree to the terms above as long as I am an Adult Leader in SHC’s Family Ministries. If I am unable to uphold this covenant I understand that I will need to resign from my volunteer position or that I may be asked by the leadership to resign.