Board of Youth Ministry (BYM)

• June - August 2009
• September - November 2009

General Information: BYM is a standing board of the congregation of Resurrection Lutheran Church. It will be staffed by appointment of the Youth Counselors in consultation with the Resurrection Church Council (RCC). The Chairperson of the Board shall be appointed in a like manner. The Board will mete as frequently as required to fulfill its stated mission and ministry. The Board reports to the RCC on ministry of all youth programs at Resurrection. The Board reports at Voters’ Meetings and prepares reports for the Voters.

Board Composition: BYM will consist of a minimum of seven (7) members representing a cross-section of Resurrection Lutheran Church (i.e., men and women; various age groups including Jr and Senior High School representatives of their respective Lutheran Youth Fellowship Resurrection (LYFR) youth groups. The Pastor(s) of Resurrection and the Youth Counselors shall serve as advisory members (non-voting) of the BYM.

Goals:

1. To prepare the youth for their responsibilities in the church.
2. To provide a place for Christian fellowship.

Objectives:

1. To establish and support youth programs that strive to promote discipleship and fellowship, with an on-going emphasis on outreach and missions
2. To establish youth programs/groups at Resurrection, as needed; to review, evaluate and recommend courses of action in all areas of youth mission and ministry
3. To determine the number of youth counselors needed for each youth group program, and appoint a Sr. Counselor and other counselors as needed;
4. To supervise and oversee all counselors in the various youth programs, and to provide opportunities for counselor training and development;
5. To evaluate all implemented programs, strategies and ministries for effectiveness, and lead the youth counselors in regularly evaluating their ministries;
6. To promote the work of our youth and programs in the congregation-at-large.

Note: The youth ministry programs consists of two youth groups: the Junior Lutheran Youth Fellowship, Resurrection (LYFR) Youth Group (5th-8th grades) and the Senior LYFR Youth Group (9th-12th grades).

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Holds purview over all youth ministry activities (excluding Christian Education areas of responsibilities). Youth defined as 6th -12th graders.
2. Utilizes LC-MS Southeastern District and Circuit assets and personnel (as appropriate) for mission and ministry purposes.
3. Addresses Youth Ministry issues encompassing all aspects of Youth Ministry (membership, spiritual gifts, strengths/weaknesses of students and counselors, staffing requirements, ministry assets, vision, concept of ministry, etc.)
4. Reviews, evaluates, and recommends courses of actions in all areas of Youth Mission and Ministry including stewardship, witness, celebration (worship), fellowship, nurture (education), discipleship, service, leadership, and counseling.
5. Evaluates all implemented programs, strategies, ministries, etc. for effectiveness and lead Youth Counselors in regularly evaluating their ministries.
6. At all times, seeks to help the Youth Counselors become proactive rather than reactive in mission and ministry.
7. Establishes and supports youth programs that strive to promote discipleship and fellowship, with an on-going emphasis on outreach and missions.
8. Determines the number of youth counselors needed for each youth group program. Appoint a Senior Counselor and other counselors as well.
9. Administers and provides oversight over all aspects of the Youth Protection Program at Resurrection Lutheran Church and School including conducting background checks on all people that are involved in youth programs at Resurrection Lutheran Church and School.
10. Works closely with the youth counselors in developing and maintaining current youth ministry management tools including, but not limited to, mission statements, ministry philosophies, long and short term goals, ministry strategy, job descriptions for elected leadership positions within youth programs, and organizational structures for accountability.
11. Develops the annual BYM budget submission to the annual church budget.
12. Supervises and oversees all counselors in the various youth programs.
13. Provides opportunities for counselor training and development, including initial training in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, the administration, organization, planning, and scheduling of youth group sessions/meetings. Provide for on-going/continuing training and educational opportunities as required.
14. Evaluates all implemented youth programs, strategies, and ministries for effectiveness and lead the youth counselors in regularly evaluating their ministries.
15. Serves as the conduit between the youth counselors, the youth and their families and the Resurrection Church Council for all issues, actions and initiatives impacting the youth programs.
16. Promotes the work of our youth and programs in the congregation-at-large.
17. Facilitates, if required, the planning, coordinating, and securing required resources/funding for youth activities/events including, but not limited to, camps, conferences, retreats, and trips such as the annual Youth Congress and Youth Quake events, and the National Youth Gathering.
18. Attends monthly scheduled BYM meetings or other meetings (including Church council meetings, Voters’ meeting, etc) that impact or address Resurrection Lutheran Church and School youth programs.
19. Conducts and monitors banking transactions required to maintain active “Youth Group” banking accounts.
20. Performs other related duties as assigned including, but not limited to, supporting and working Advent and Lenten Diners, serve as “fill in”/substitute youth counselor, and participate in fund raiser initiatives.
21. May require working with youth and actively participating in youth activities such as bake sales, work in the kitchen area, car washes, and attending concerts, camps, conferences, retreats, trips, and lock-ins.
22. Travels by vehicle (automobile, van) and/or commercial air and ground transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities.
23. Administers and adheres to guidelines for granting a “Scholarship” to assist L.Y.F.R. group members (Junior and Senior) to participate/attend youth events. Guideline are provided on the next page of the manual.
24. Submits board meeting minutes to the Parish Administrator for file. Posts minutes to bulletin board outside fellowship hall.