How to become a Family Ministries Adult Leader
Thanks so much for inquiring about serving in Family Ministries (Preschool, Kids, Middle School, High School, & Young Adult Ministries) at Sugar Hill Church. The following process is designed to ensure clarity in communication as we explore the best fit for ministry volunteers.
Get to know us
Watch these videos and check out this year’s InfoZine to learn about our programming, meet our staff teams, and learn what our expectations are of our Adult Leaders.
Watch Me First!
(Intro to Family Ministries)
Intro to Kids Ministry
Intro to Student Ministry
Intro to Young Adult Ministry
Requirements
church membership
While church membership may not be required for short term special events, if you would like to be involved with our regular programming, we consider this a long term commitment and desire that those Adult Leaders are also committed to being a part of the Sugar Hill Church family.
Application
Each adult that works with Family Ministries is required to complete an application as the first step in evaluating whether its a good fit. This application requires signing off on the policies, covenants, and beliefs listed below.
Background Check
Once we receive your application, the screening process continues with a criminal background check. The link to authorize your background check will be sent to you via email.
lifestyle Covenant
As a Family Ministries Adult Leader, know that you are in a leadership position and will be a role model for children and students. As such, it is important that you represent the values and beliefs of Sugar Hill Church well.
Agreement to Policy on working with minors
Safety and Security is our Highest Value for Family Ministries. The purpose of these guidelines is to protect our kids, students, families, volunteers, staff, church, and the integrity of ministry to kids and students at Sugar Hill Church.
Affirmation of beliefs
As a Family Ministries Adult Leader, you are a part of Sugar Hill Church’s leadership team. As such, you represent the beliefs and values of Sugar Hill Church in all that you do.
Statement of Beliefs
- We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
- We believe there is one God who reveals Himself in three separate and distinct persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- We believe mankind was created good and upright, but by voluntary transgression, fell and is now separated from God, lost and without hope.
- We believe Jesus is God in the flesh, fully divine and fully human.
- We believe that through the shedding of His blood at the crucifixion, Jesus made salvation and His righteousness available to all who will believe, thus bridging the gap between God and mankind.
- We believe Jesus died, was buried and bodily rose from the dead (the resurrection).
- We believe that after the resurrection, Jesus ascended to the Father and is presently engaged in building Heaven and interceding for people.
- We believe Jesus will return to earth to take His Church (those who believe in Him) to Heaven and will judge the world. (It is not necessary that we all believe alike concerning whether He is coming before, after or during the Tribulation).
- We believe Salvation comes by repentance for sin and a heartfelt faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, resulting in regeneration of the person. This salvation is entirely by the grace of our Lord, not of works. Works are excluded except as evidence of salvation.
- We believe water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church.
- 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.
- We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial to the death, resurrection and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 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.
- We believe the Bible clearly teaches eternal separation from God for the unsaved and eternal glory and service for the saved.
- 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.
- We believe God uses doctors, medicines and other means of healing. God also provides divine healing.
- We believe each believer is a priest of the Lord and has direct access to the Father though the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 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.
Policy on Interacting with Minors
The following guidelines apply to all adults (staff or volunteer) working with minors (or any student still in Student Ministries) at Sugar Hill Church. The purpose of these guidelines is to protect our kids, students, families, volunteers, staff, church, and the integrity of ministry to kids & students at Sugar Hill Church.
In ministry to kids or students, we adhere to a “two adult” policy. If at all reasonably possible, there will be two screened Adult Leaders present in all ministry to kids or students.
- Adult Leaders should never be alone with a child or student (of any gender).
- Adult Leaders and staff should work hard to protect each other from being put in one-on-one situations with kids or students.
Classroom
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If one of the Adult Leaders is left alone with kids or students in the classroom for any reason, the door to the classroom should be left open until an additional leader returns.
- If one of the adult leaders is late to arrive or has to leave the classroom for any reason, notify a Welcome Team or Staff member for assistance.
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In the rare event an Adult Leader knows they will be absent from Small Group, Family Ministries staff should be notified as soon as possible so that Family Ministries Staff can arrange a substitute.
Restroom & Diaper Changes
- Never go into the restroom alone with a child.
- If a child is potty training, let the child do as much as they can themselves. If assistance is needed, please keep door open at all times.
- Follow proper diaper changing procedures posted above the diaper changing stations.
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.
Lifestyle Covenant
Thanks so much for your interest in serving in Family Ministries at Sugar Hill Church. As an Adult Leader, know that you are in a leadership position and will be a role model for kids and students. As such, it is important that you represent well the values and beliefs of Sugar Hill Church. Important lifestyle issues include:
Relationship / Sexual Behavior
We hold a biblical view of marriage. We believe that marriage was designed by God to be a committed, monogamous relationship between a man and a woman. We believe that sex was created by God as an expression of intimacy within the context of biblical marriage. Volunteers who embrace a lifestyle that contradicts these beliefs will find themselves having to pretend to be something they’re not and believe something they don’t.
We may ask you not to serve for the following reasons:
- If you are involved in a romantically intimate relationship with someone of the same sex.
- If you are involved in a sexual relationship and not married.
- If you are currently living with someone of the opposite sex and not married.
- If you are married and are currently involved in a romantically intimate relationship outside of your marriage.
Substance Behavior
If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, this might be something God uses in a positive way to impact the future of the next generation. We’d love to talk with you further about your story and how it can impact the kids and students in our ministry.
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.
Tell us about yourself!
Next Steps
So you’ve applied – now what?
Talk with us
Email allison@sugarhillchurch.com to set up a meeting with Kids Ministry Staff, or email abigail@sugarhillchurch.com to set up a meeting with Student or Young Adult Ministries Staff.
Try it out
Arrange a time to come experience our programming as a guest to get a feel for what it would be like to serve in Family Ministries.
follow up meeting
Once you’ve gotten a feel for what we’re about, we’ll have a follow up conversation to discuss whether it’s a good fit.