THE PURPOSE OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
The Children’s Ministry of Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena is for children walking through 6th graders
This ministry exists to aid parents in the teaching and training of their children. We affirm that Christian parents are responsible for the training and development of their children, and the Children’s Ministry of Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena exists to support their efforts and authority. We are here to co-evangelize and co-disciple the next generations and live out a faithful commitment to their spiritual growth alongside their parents.
The Unique Contribution Children’s Ministry makes to our Children:
Children’s Ministry our children are learning about relationships and developing significant friendships, some of which may last a lifetime.
In Children’s Ministry other adults are reinforcing the truths being taught at home.
In Children’s Ministry our children’s view of the Lord’s Day is being shaped.
In Children’s Ministry there is significant opportunity for teaching.
Some families will determine their future involvement at SGCP based almost completely on their experience with Children’s Ministry.
Five (5) Commitments We Make to the Children of Our Church:
1. In Children’s Ministry the gospel of Jesus Christ well be presented simply, clearly, and regularly.
2. In Children’s Ministry we will teach and model that all of life is to be lived for the glory of God.
3. Children’s Ministry will be a fun place to be, and creativity will be encouraged.
4. Children’s Ministry will be a safe, clean place to be.
5. All Children’s Ministry teachers and workers will be trained, prepared and enthusiastic.
FORMAT
Curriculum
We utilize The Biggest Story curriculum designed just for them. The Biggest Story leads readers on an exciting journey through the Bible, from the garden of Eden to the return of Christ. This fun curriculum based on the book draws kids into Scripture and helps them grasp its overarching message of redemption.
Classes
SGCP offers two classes for children walking through 12 years old.
Toddlers - Kindergarten
Elementary: 1st - 6th grades
Check-in and drop off for the Toddler -K room begins five minutes prior to the start of worship, at 10am.
Sign-in for the other two classes is available 15 minutes prior to the service in the lobby. The children will stay with their families during worship, then be dismissed to quietly walk to the back of the sanctuary to meet their teachers and walk over together to their classrooms! All teachers and volunteers can be identified with red aprons and nametags.
Classes are not held on the following Sundays:
o Christmas Sunday*
o Easter Sunday*
o Mother’s Day*
o Father’s Day*
During these Sundays, the children join their families for Family Services in the main meeting room.
*Note: Toddlers will remain open every Sunday
Self-serve nursing room/cry room
In the downstairs lobby area, there are couches and supplies for nursing mothers, or any parent that needs a quiet place to be with their child if they are not able to be in the service due to noise. This area is for parents to be with their OWN child that is not yet old enough to participate in the CM classes available.
Location:
Children’s Ministry Classes are held every Sunday morning in three classrooms just down the hall from the main assembly room.
**Graduation from Children’s Ministry only occurs at the end of the church calendar year (August).
POLICIES& PROCEDURES
Volunteers
All Children’s Ministry workers are members of Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena who volunteer their time with a heart to serve our parents and children who are attending our Sunday morning services. All CM volunteers are required to complete an application and background check authorization form and must be approved by the pastor before serving. Background forms are processed every 3 years.
Volunteers serve on rotating teams. We believe this allows our volunteers to stay fresh and well-connected with the worship, teaching, and fellowship with the entire body.
Youth volunteers age 12 and older may serve as helpers under the Lead Teacher’s Supervision.
Ministry Safe training is required for all volunteers 16 years old and over.
Classroom Supervision
There are to be at least two adults from different households serving in each classroom at all times, with at least one female.
For bathroom trips, the assistant teacher must stand at the door to the classroom and supervise that the child walks alone to the individual stall bathroom, while simultaneously supervising the classroom and the bathroom door until the child walks back into the classroom.
Men must not change any diapers except for their own children.
Touching should generally be avoided, however pats on the back, high fives/fist bumps and other forms of appropriate physical touch between volunteers and children are important for children’s development, and are generally suitable in the church setting. Volunteers are responsible for protecting children in the classroom from inappropriate or unwanted touch by other children.
Any inappropriate behavior or suspected abuse by a staff member or volunteer must be reported immediately to an immediate supervisor, or Senior Pastor.
Identification – Children’s Ministry Workers
All Children’s Ministry workers will wear an apron with a Children’s Ministry name tag to identify themselves as a worker.
Responsibility – Children’s Ministry Workers
All Children’s Ministry workers are to demonstrate a sense of professional care for children through their appearance and their conversation (pleasant, caring, and confident). Children’s Ministry workers will demonstrate a clear sense of accepting responsibility for the child from the time the check in sticker is on the child.
Discipline Policy
We believe that discipline should be a positive experience. Much has been taught on this subject and we hold true to the teaching that discipline is the process of making a disciple. In fact, the word “discipline” comes from the word “disciple”. Below is a list of guidelines we follow each week:
A complete description of the classroom rules will be presented on a consistent basis.
Fighting, cursing, vandalism, stealing, or other malicious behavior requires an immediate conversation with parents/guardians with possible suspension from Children’s Ministry.
If a child is in need of correction, they will always be reminded by the teacher of the rules of that particular classroom.
Teachers can utilize the behavior chart at their own discretion.
If the behavior continues they will be warned that next time their parent/guardian will be notified. If the behavior still continues, the child’s parent/guardain will be notified and either asked to briefly address their child or to dismiss their child (the decision to dismiss a child can be by the Lead Teacher or parent/guardian).
The CM Director will be notified of persistent or serious misbehavior and may arrange for a meeting with the child’s parent/guardian.
Parent Notification During Service
During the service parents can be contacted to attend to their child by notifying the CM director via walkie-talkie or text, and they will discreetly notifying the parent.
Children’s Counseling
We believe that the raising of children is first and foremost the responsibility of the child’s parents or guardian. The objective of Children’s Ministry is to serve our parents by re-enforcing the message of the Gospel in each child’s life through the service of our volunteers, our curriculum, and activities.
Therefore, the role of counseling the child and leading them to the salvation decision is the direct and sole role of the parents and/or guardian.
Medical Emergencies
In the case of a medical emergency, parents and guardians will be contacted immediately. Under no circumstances will a Children’s Ministry classroom worker administer medication to a child. If a child requires first aid or medication, it must be administered by a parent, guardian or trained medical professional. We ask that all parents and guardians fill out the section called “Emergency Medical Treatment” on the information form completed during registration.
Health Policies
Parents are encouraged to communicate on the information form any special needs their child may have. This includes allergies and physical challenges.
Sick children will not be allowed to attend Children’s Ministry. Children must be:
Fever free – without fever reducing medication – for 36 hours
On an antibiotic for at least 36 hours (if an antibiotic has been prescribed)
Free of vomiting and diarrhea for at least 36 hours
Free of a runny nose or persistent cough
Free of any communicable diseases
Free of any discharge in or around the eye
Free from pink-eye or lice (or corresponding symptoms)
All Toddlers & Preschool children will have their hands sanitized (or washed by parent) prior to entering class.
It is the responsibility of the volunteer at check in, to help screen any child that displays symptoms of sickness to not be checked in.
Fire and Building Evacuation
In case of building evacuation or fire, all children will be ushered out through the appropriate exits to the parking lots. The Lead Teacher for each class will take the child roster to the assembly area and perform a roll call. Standard checkout procedures will be used once parents arrive.
Safety & Security
At Sovereign Grace Church child safety is top priority. Any observed hazardous conditions such as facility issues, broken or inappropriate toys, broken or inappropriate furniture, or strange behavior will be reported to the Lead Teacher and CM director immediately. In order to maintain the safety and security of the children we strictly follow prescribed registration, check-in, and check-out procedures as defined below.
Sexual Abuse Prevention and Reporting
In order to protect the children in the church from any sexual abuse from a preferential offender, or peer sexual abuse, our policies and procedures are constructed to strictly follow a five-part safety system.
The Abuse Prevention Systems’ Five-Part Safety System includes:
Sexual Abuse Awareness Training
Skillful Screening Processes
Appropriate Criminal Background Check
Tailored Policies & Procedures
Systems for Monitoring and Oversight
How we follow the safety system:
1. All volunteers that serve in Children’s Ministry are members of Sovereign Grace, and have been members and under pastoral care for at least 6 months before they are allowed to serve in CM.
2. All volunteers undergo a thorough criminal background check complete with fingerprinting.
3. Volunteers are required to review the policies in this manual and sign the last page indicating that he or she has read and understood the material, and agrees to comply with policy requirements.
4. All volunteers must have updated certificates from completing Sexual Abuse Awareness Training through MinistrySafe.
5. All volunteers must report to the CM Director or Pastor, any abuse or suspicion of abuse.
The following are behaviors that are and are not appropriate in our classrooms as related to the grooming process for children 12 years old and younger.
1. Two adults (with at least one being female) must be present in the classroom at all times. No adult will be alone with children or any child while serving in Children’s Ministry.
2. Volunteers must oversee that a child walks by themselves to a single stall bathroom alone, while also supervising the classroom from the doorway.
3. Touching of children should generally be avoided. Verbal means of direction and instruction are an excellent way of directing a child.
4. Children will not sit on the lap of any teacher, volunteer or peer.
5. Men must not change any diapers except for their own children.
Reporting Abuse or Suspicions of Abuse
In the event that any volunteer observes any suspected abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) or peer sexual abuse, or allegation, it is their responsibility to immediately report their observations to the Children’s Ministry Director, and/or the Senior Pastor.
Sovereign Grace is committed to providing a safe, secure environment for children and their families. To this end, any report of inappropriate behavior or suspicions of abuse or neglect will be taken seriously and will be reported, in accordance with this policy and state law, to Child Protective Services or criminal law enforcement.
Because sexual abusers ‘groom’ children for abuse, it is possible that a staff member or volunteer may witness behavior intended to groom a child for sexual abuse. Please report ‘grooming’ behavior, policy violations, or any suspicious behaviors to an immediate supervisor, such that the church may take appropriate action to safeguard children in the classroom.
For all volunteers: When in doubt, report.
Child Registration
It is required that a parent or legal guardian fill out a Child Registration form for each child prior to checking-in for the first time. This form will be utilized to provide necessary information for the safety and security of the child. The form will include the following information:
Name and age of Child
Parent’s or Legal Guardian’s Name
Parent’s Telephone Number
Check-in/out Authorizations
Emergency Contact
Medical Conditions/ Medications
Allergies
Special/Physical Needs
The information form will be kept on file (in confidence) and shared with Children’s Ministry teachers and volunteers. The information will be updated as needed, or at least annually.
Guest Welcome
Policies and Procedures Statement of Acknowledgement and Agreement
I have received and read a copy of Sovereign Grace Church Children’s Ministry Policies and Procedures and understand the importance of the material. I agree to abide by these guidelines while serving at Sovereign Grace Church.
I understand the manual may be modified, and that any guideline may be amended, revised, or eliminated by Sovereign Grace.
I have reviewed the duties listed in my ministry position description, and I agree to fulfill these duties. I understand I may choose to end my voluntary service at Sovereign Grace at any time (If possible, I will provide two weeks’ notice to the Children’s Ministry Director).
I understand and agree to follow the policies regarding classroom rules, sexual abuse prevention, and my responsibility to report to the Children’s Ministry Director or the Senior Pastor any time a policy is broken, or there is suspicion of grooming or inappropriate behavior toward a child.
I understand it is my responsibility to review new guidelines which may be created and distributed.
I acknowledge receipt of Sovereign Grace Church policies and procedures manual.