[Previous Chapter] [Table of Contents] [Next Chapter]
CHAPTER FOUR
PARENTS
- 4.1 PARENTS
- Parents are defined as those adults who have legal guardianship over a student participating in the youth ministries.
- 4.2 PARENT'S AUTHORITY
- 4.2.1 Parent's Authority over Students
- Scripture is clear that parents are entrusted with the care and guidance of their children. In keeping with that Trinity Youth Ministries recognize that Parents have the ultimate human authority over their own children.
- Staff are to be always mindful of this fact as well as the Biblical injunction to respect one's parents. Staff are to role model this type of respect, not only by respecting their own parents, but also at all times demonstrating proper respect for the parents of the students under their care. Staff shall always respect the decisions of parents regarding their own children, even if they disagree with those decisions.
- If however, a staff member has a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect, they are to report those suspicions within 24 hours to the Youth Pastor, or Senior Pastor, who in turn shall report any reasonable suspicion of abuse to the State Abuse Hotline (800) 25-ABUSE. Again, any youth worker has a ethical obligation to see that a reasonable suspicion of abuse is reported to the proper authority.
- (Note: Any policy regarding reporting of abuse will be in effect only so long as it does not violate state or federal law. Some staff members may be considered Mandated Reporters by State Law and DCFS Rule 300. If that is the case the procedures for mandated reporters should be followed.)
- 4.2.2 Parent's Authority over Staff
- While parents are invited to express their concerns to staff members, parents are not given direct authority over staff. Staff members are overseen according to section 1.4 and Figure 1.1.
- 4.2.3 Parent's Authority over Programming
- While parents are invited to express concerns regarding programming, they are not, however, given direct authority over programming. Program Directors oversee programming and in turn are overseen according to Section 1.4 and Figure 1.1
- However as the person entrusted with the ultimate earthly authority over their own children, parents may request that their own children not participate in Youth Ministry Activities. In order to ensure the parents wishes are known and understood, parents are asked to present requests that their children not participate in writing to the Youth Pastor. The staff shall respect such requests even to the point of removing a student from an activity on behalf of his or her parent, if necessary.
- 4.3 PARENTS AS STAFF
- Parents are invited, encouraged and often even needed to participate in youth ministry activities as staff members. However:
- If a student is a participant in an activity in which his or her parent wishes to participate as a staff member, the student shall be consulted.
- If a parent participates in an activity as a staff member in which his or her child also participates, that parent shall be expected to demonstrate reasonable impartiality as far as is possible.
[Previous Chapter] [Table of Contents] [Next Chapter]