Mission Statement - The children's ministry of Freedom Baptist Church will assist parents in giving children (grades K-6) a sound Bible foundation in order for them to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, and start their growth as a Christian.

Who - Only those who meet the following qualifications will work in the children’s ministry.

Qualifications

1.  Must be a member of Freedom Baptist Church and attend services faithfully.  A non-member may be appointed by the Pastor during special events.  For example, special events would include visiting sister churches, missionary teams/families, evangelist teams/families, college teams, and other similar special events.    

2.  Must strictly adhere to the church's policy concerning separation from the world.

3.  Must be loyal to the entire program of Freedom Baptist Church.

4.  Must be at least 18 years old to be a children's ministry teacher.  Must be at least 13 years old and responsible to be a children's ministry assistant.  Assistants between the ages of 13-18 must have parental approval.  An assistant between the ages of 13-18 cannot be a relative of the teacher.  Age requirements may be adjusted by the pastor for special events as listed above.

5.  Must be approved by the Pastor.

Positions and Responsibilities

Children’s Ministry Coordinator– The children’s ministry coordinator shall have the general oversight of the children’s ministry.  The coordinator is responsible and accountable to the pastor.  The children’s ministry coordinator is responsible for selecting the curriculum for the classes, finding replacements for teachers and workers that are absent, submitting requisitions for supplies, submitting the children’s ministry budget to the pastor, enforcing the policies and procedures, approving the music used in the classroom, training new teachers and workers, and delivering necessary supplies to the teachers. 

Children’s Ministry Teacher - The children’s ministry teacher will be responsible and accountable to the children’s ministry coordinator.  The primary responsibility of the children’s ministry teacher is teaching the Bible lesson during Sunday school.  Sunday school curriculum will be provided by the church.  The teacher should follow the curriculum provided. In addition, the teacher is to oversee the songs, Bible verses, crafts and games during Sunday school. The teacher is also responsible for checking in/out all children in the class, printing a sticker for the child, and giving a family code to the parents/guardians.  

Children’s Ministry Assistant - The children’s ministry assistant will be responsible and accountable to the children’s ministry teacher and carry out the responsibilities given by the teacher. 

Conduct - Our behavior must be above reproach.  To ensure we are doing our best for the children in our care, adults are expected to observe the following:

-          All workers must fill out and sign the Screening Form for Church Volunteers and Employees.  This form is attached to this manual, and is used for your and our protection as well as other legal purposes.

-          No one at any time should be alone with a child in a secluded area such as a car, a room with the door closed, or the restroom.  When possible, children will be encouraged to take care of their own bathroom needs.  Should assistance be required, the outer bathroom door must remain ajar while the teacher assists the child.  We must use extreme caution in this area (I Thessalonians 5:22)

-          No activity involving children under the protection of this ministry should ever occur without a person who is in charge knowing about it.  Please inform your chain of command of any activities.  All off site activities must be approved by the pastor, parental permission must be secured, and a minimum of two adult workers must be present. 

-          Only members in good standing and approved by the pastor should be working with children in any area.  Any guest speaker to the children must have prior approval of the pastor.  Please do not ask someone to fill your class or position.  There may be a reason that someone is not qualified to work in a certain position, and that information is not public knowledge.  Christ gave a stern warning to anyone who would offend a little one (Matthew 18:6)

-          Gifts should not be given to individual children or young people without prior knowledge of knowledge of the parents or pastor.  Because gift giving can be a form of buying loyalty or silence, gift giving should be done on a group basis or for special occasions only.  Gifts may not be elaborate but should be modest and appropriate to the occasion.

-          All workers should dress with utmost modesty. 

·         Men should be well groomed (hair off the ears and collar, beard and moustache well trimmed). This also includes wearing dress pants, shined shoes, and shirt and tie.

·         Ladies should wear dresses or skirts (minimum length at least to the bottom of the knee), and blouses being conscious of the needs of working with children such as running, bending over, etc.

-          All workers should abstain from all worldly behavior such as wrong music, wrong television shows, and destructive conversation.  We must be an example to the believers (I Timothy 4:12)

-          A minimum of two workers (one being an adult) must be present with the children regardless of how few children are in attendance.  Workers should be both males and both females.  The only exception to this would be a married couple is allowed to work together.

How - We will seek to accomplish the children's ministry by observing the following policies.

Guidelines and Procedures: 

1.  The workers must be present 15 minutes prior to the class start time.

2.  Please be neat and clean.

3.  Do your part.  There are certain jobs that nobody likes to do; however, we must do them with a willing spirit and a smile.  Each individual must do his/her share of the work while on duty.  (I Cor. 10:31 - "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.")

4.  If you are unable to work your assigned day, please inform the Pastor or assistant Pastor as soon as possible so he can make the necessary arrangements.  Do not pick your own replacement. 

5.  Leave all home, family, or personal problems outside the classroom door.  Children have been entrusted to you and you must be alert to their needs for the time that you are with them. 

6.  NO ONE is allowed in the classroom except church staff, teacher and assistants. 

7.  If a child is upset and crying for a period of time (approximately 10 minutes), please alert an usher to get the child's parent.

8.  Do not give medicine to children.  Ask an usher to get a parent so that they may administer any medicines the child may need.

9.  Do not accept children that are feverish or ill.  This is to help protect the other children. 

            a. If the child has had a fever within the last 24 hours.

            b. If the child has been vomiting within the last 24 hours.

            c. If the child has a runny nose with yellow or green colored mucous.

            d. An unexplained rash.

            e. A child acting ill such as being fussy, having no appetite, diarrhea, coughing, etc.

10.  A child's condition, opinions, etc... are confidential.  A child's condition is important to know for the workers but should not be broadcasted outside the classroom.  (Prov. 11:13 "A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.")

11.  Should a child face a life-threatening situation/injury, contact 911then the usher.  If the child's situation is not life-threatening contact an usher who will contact the parent, and pastor.

12.  Refer all parental complaints to pastoral staff.  Do not argue with the parents, but be firm in upholding the policies.  A positive, polite attitude will usually calm an upset parent.  Assure the parent that you will take the matter to pastoral staff.  (Prov. 15:1- "A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger." Prov. 25:11 - "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.")

13.  The parent's wishes must be carried out with a loving and caring attitude.  If their wishes conflict with policy or Biblical principles please notify pastoral staff.

14.  Upon arrival:

            a. Ensure all children under your care enter the classroom.

            b. Check in each child into Churchtrac.  If they are a first-time visitor, enter allergies and special instructions.  Print a label and family code sticker.  Place the label on the child and give the family code to the parent/guardian.  Remind the parent/guardian they will need to code to pick-up the child.

            c. All children under your care should be accounted for at all times.  Children under your care should not be sent anywhere without adult supervision. 

15.  Feeding and snacks:

            a. No snacks are allowed to be given during Sunday School.  If a child has a medical condition that requires food during the Sunday School period a parent must administer the food to the child.

16.  Departure:

            a. Do not dismiss the children from the classroom.

            b.  When a parent/ guardian arrives and presents the family code sticker, check the child out of Churchtrac notating who picked up the child.

17.  Clean-up:

            a. Check classroom for trash and ensure the trash is placed in a proper receptacle.  Make sure the children did not leave items behind.

            b. Stack chairs and place them in the corner.

            c. Turn off the light and close the door.

Discipline - A positive approach to discipline will be practiced.  Clear, consistent, age-appropriate limits will be established to help the children function appropriately.  Corporal discipline or physical restraint is never to be used.  All teachers and workers will use the following for discipline measures: 

a.       If a minor is misbehaving, the teacher or worker will explain to the child specifically what he/she is doing wrong and then state what is expected.

b.      If possible, place the child in a chair in the corner for 2-5 minutes.

c.       If the minor’s misbehavior continues after the above steps have been taken, please alert the usher to get a parent.