Youth Volunteers

For a no-strings-attached conversation about this ministry, contact: becky@downtownfirstumc.com or cindy.bierman@k12.sd.us

Youth Small Group Leader

Overview: The youth small group leader supports the church's mission by "Sharing the love of Jesus with the next generation, from the heart of downtown Mitchell" by facilitating discipleship with a group of 6-12 youth through a weekly scheduled meeting time. Small groups perform the essential functions of a community of believers in Christ: worship, prayer, Bible study, accountability, mission, and fellowship. The small group leader embraces these elements in their own Christian walk. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Regularly attend a church weekend worship service.

  • Meet weekly with a small group of students (and another adult co-leader) for the duration of one school year, with a commitment that is renewable annually.

  • Prepare thoroughly for leading each week by investing time reading and meditating on the scripture passage, the lesson, and the discussion questions provided by the Youth Group leader.

  • Facilitate group discussion, ensuring a safe environment, allowing students to share authentically, ask deep questions, and pray together.

  • Challenge individual students to apply the truths of scripture to their lives.

  • Encourage students to set spiritual goals.

  • Utilize positive reinforcement to encourage progress toward goals.

  • Be known as authentic in your Christian faith and a Godly example to those in your small group.

  • Strengthen relational connections: 

    • Keep track of who is showing up by noting absences 

    • Contact absentees.

    • Attend students' activities to demonstrate your care and interest.

    • Personally connect via social media, text, and/or email, following up on prayer requests, concerns, or challenges shared in the group, sharing any pertinent information with youth group leader.

    • Acknowledge birthdays and special events, communicating support and encouragement.

    • Pray for your students individually each week. Pray for students' families. 

    • Ensure students and families receive information about relevant upcoming events. 

  • Uphold Safety Protocells

    • Know and follow guidelines in the student ministries and/or volunteer handbook.

    • Be confident in emergency response procedures and your role in them. 

    • Complete required safe church training.

  • Communicate dates you'll be gone with your youth group leader as early as possible. (At least two weeks in advance iş preferred) 

    • Arrange for your co-leader to lead in your absence, ensure they are informed and equipped to lead in your absence.

    • lf a 'week-of" emergency arises, text your youth group leader. 

Relationships: 

  • The youth small group leader is served by the youth group leader who ensures the support needed to thrive in this role.

  • This role may mentor an apprentice and a small group assistant.

  • This role serves in community with other youth ministry volunteers. 

Time Commitment: 

  • Three hours per week: One hour in lesson preparation, one hour in leadership of the small group session, 30 minutes in monitoring student engagement in the group, and 30 minutes contacting youth

  • Scheduled trainings (3-4 per year) 

Special Talents, Skills Preferred: Service/helps, intercession, mercy, hospitality, faith, exhortation, love for and comfort relating to youth 

Resources and Training Provided: Safe church training, ministry trainings

YOuth small group assistant

Overview: The youth small group assistant supports the church's mission by "Sharing the love of Jesus with the next generation, from the heart of downtown Mitchell" by assisting the small group leader in fostering a lasting, Christ-centered faith in students, discipling them to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Responsibilities: 

  • Read weekly team emails.

  • Respond to communication from the ministry Youth Group Leader or Family Ministries Director in a timely manner.

  • Review any plans provided.

  • Pray for students in your group by name during the week.

  • Arrive at 6:45 PM, ready to confirm plans, receive updates, and to pray with leadership.

  • Connect with your assigned Youth Group leader to discuss the following ideas (not a limited list) to determine how to best support the group: 

    • Greet students and interact with them in pre-service activities.

    • Oversee transitions.

    • Sit with students during the large group worship and teaching and in small group discussion. 

    • Watch for students who may need guidance in focusing and engaging.

    • Assist with activities and discussion, or lead an activity or discussion. (This is best arranged a few days prior to serving)

    • Assist with clean-up and returning materials.

  • Engage students in conversation.

  • Help students connect with one another.

  • Create a warm and welcoming space for all youth.

  • Uphold safety protocols: 

    • Know and follow guidelines in the student ministries and/or church volunteer handbook.

    • Be confident in emergency response procedures and your role in them.

    • Complete required safe church training.

  • Communicate dates you'll be gone with your Youth Group leader as early as possible. (At least two weeks in advance is preferred) 

    • Arrange for your co-leader to lead in your absence, ensure they are informed and equipped to lead in your absence. 

    • If a "week-of" emergency arises, text your Youth Group leader. 

• Attend scheduled trainings. (3-4 per year) 

Relationships: 

  • The youth small group assistant serves under the leadership of their small group leader.

  • The youth small group assistant is served by the youth group and small group leader who ensures the support needed to thrive in this role.

  • This role serves in relationship with other members of the youth ministries team. 

Time Commitment: 

  • 1.25 hours on Wednesday evenings (6:45-8:00 pm)

  • Potentially, 30 minutes preparation, if assigned to lead discussion or an activity

  • Participate in meetings and trainings as scheduled 

Special Talents, Skills Preferred: Discernment, helps, mercy, leadership, love for and comfort around youth, fun-loving 

Resources and Training Provided: Safe church training, ministry trainings 

Youth Confirmation Mentor

Overview: The Youth Confirmation Mentor supports the church’s mission by. “Sharing the love of Jesus with the next generation, from the heart of downtown Mitchell. providing for the spiritual formation of youth by developing relationships, modeling an authentic Christian faith, and teaching them the essentials of following Christ, preparing them for making a personal decision to be confirmed. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Pray regularly for all students in the confirmation cohort. 

  • Be able to address all confirmands in the cohort by name. 

  • Coordinate with the Confirmation Leaders to clarify role assignments. 

  • Attend all scheduled confirmation classes and session meetings, being prepared to lead any assigned tasks. 

  • Contact your assigned mentee(s) at least once per month outside of regularly scheduled sessions by engaging in one of the following: 

    • Attending student events (games, meets, concerts, ceremonies) as time allows ○ Celebrating important times in a student’s life by sending a card, a text, a voicemail, etc. ○ Other creative means of building friendships with the youth and their parents 

  • Meet with confirmand once a month outside of class to provide personal spiritual direction and prayer. 

  • Communicate with the Confirmation Leaders any victories, concerns, or challenges and receive relevant information from the youth director. 

  • Uphold safety protocols: 

    • Know and follow guidelines in the student ministries and/or church volunteer handbook ○ Complete a background check, which is required of all volunteers serving in the Downtown first United Methodist Church ministry 

    • Be confident in emergency response procedures and your role in them 

  • Communicate dates you’ll be gone with the Confirmation leaders as early as possible. (At least two weeks in advance is preferred) 

  • Participate in scheduled trainings. (2 times per year) 

  • Complete required safe church training. 

Relationships: 

  • The youth confirmation mentor reports to Confirmation leaders who ensures the support needed to thrive in this role. 

  • This role collaborates and serves with other confirmation mentors. 

Time Commitment: 

  • One hour the first Sunday of each month (10:45 - 11:45 AM) 

  • One hour once a month meeting with confirmand 

  • One session meeting (6:00PM - 8:30PM) 

  • One monthly contact with the student. This might include: 

    • Attending student events (games, meets, concerts, ceremonies) as time allows

    • Celebrating important times in a student’s life by sending a card, a text, a voicemail, etc.

    • Other creative means of building friendships with the youth and their parents

    • Confirmation Sunday 

  • Total monthly commitment: approximately 4.5 hrs 

Special Talents, Skills Preferred: Passion for youth, organization, leadership, teaching, wisdom, shepherding, presence 

Resources and Training Provided: Safe church training, ministry trainings 

YOUTH GROUP MEAL/SNACK COORDINATOR

Overview: The youth group meal/snack coordinator supports the church’s mission to “Share the love of Jesus by supporting a welcoming and comfortable environment through coordinating provision of food during weekly youth group gatherings. 

Coordinator Responsibilities: 

  • Recruit, equip, and support ministry team members, creating a joyful, connected serving experience within your team. 

  • Schedule the serving team utilizing the church’s designated scheduling software, if applicable.

  • Respond to communication from church staff and your volunteer team in a timely manner. (Within 24 hours) 

  • Communicate wins and feedback for improvement with the Youth Group leader.

  • Meet with your youth group leaders at agreed upon intervals for the purpose of spiritual care, leadership development, mentoring, and encouragement. 

General Responsibilities: 

  • Build a team of volunteers with enough members to ensure sustainable rotation of scheduled duties. 

  • Ensure the team receives training in food safety and handling procedures as well as the church protocols for using any designated church facilities. 

  • Confirm and follow protocols for purchasing food and ensure the team does as well.

  • Train and/or empower the team to: 

    • Create/confirm lists of needed food and supplies 

    • Shop, deliver, prepare, and serve food and/or snacks 

    • Prepare and serve food at agreed upon times and in accordance with food safety regulations 

    • Ensure any spaces used for preparation and service are cleaned, sanitized, and returned to pre-service condition

    • Ensure allergy-free options are provided 

  • Uphold safety protocols: 

    • Know and follow guidelines in the student ministries and/or church volunteer handbook ○ Be confident in emergency response procedures and your role in them 

    • Complete required safe church training 

Relationships: 

  • The youth group meal/snack coordinator reports to the Youth Group leader who ensures the support needed to thrive in this role, including mentoring for leadership development, consistent and clear communication, support to build teams, and improve systems and processes.

  • This role provides leadership to the youth group meal/snack team. 

Time Commitment: 

  • 1-2 hours per week, coordinating schedules, communicating with team members, and confirming plans 

  • Support during the event or group, if needed 

Special Talents, Skills Preferred: Administration, helps, intercession, leadership, organization, ability to ask for help, cooking, joy derived from creative snack and meal planning 

Resources and Training Provided: Safe church training, ministry trainings 

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

Overview: The Youth Sunday School Teacher supports the church’s mission by . “Sharing the love of Jesus with the next generation, from the heart of downtown Mitchell.” by providing for the spiritual formation of youth by developing relationships with students, modeling an authentic Christian faith, and teaching students the essentials of following Christ. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Prepare and present the lesson, utilizing the provided curriculum. 

  • Know the lesson well enough to ensure sharing it in an engaging manner. 

  • Actively mentor an apprentice or co-teacher. 

  • Gather appropriate materials needed for the lesson unless otherwise supplied or confirmed with your Family Ministry Director/Youth Group leader to have in place. 

  • Arrive in the classroom in plenty of time to set up materials and be ready to greet and be present for first arrivers. 

  • Create a safe emotional and physical environment. 

  • Reinforce confidentiality, respect, and responsible behavior. 

  • Provide time and space for the youth to pray for and with one another. 

  • Pray regularly for the youth in your class. 

  • Read and respond to communication from your Family Ministries Director/Youth Group leader.

  • Share concerns and any relevant updates regarding students with your Family Ministries Director/Youth Group leader. 

  • Be confident in emergency response procedures and your role in them. 

  • Return the classroom space to as good or better condition than it was found. 

  • Create a plan to regularly communicate with the youth and parents of your group. 

  • Communicate dates you’re unable to serve with Family Ministries Director/Youth Group leader leader as early as possible. (At least two weeks in advance is preferred) 

    • If your apprentice is ready to lead, ensure they are informed and equipped to lead in your absence. ○ If a “week-of” emergency arises, text your Family Ministries Director/Youth Group leader.

  • Participate in scheduled trainings. (3-4 per year) 

  • Complete required safe church training. 

Relationships: 

  • The youth Sunday school teacher reports to the Family Ministries Director and the Youth Group leader who ensures the support needed to thrive in this role, including mentoring for leadership development, consistent and clear communication, and support to ensure quality teaching. 

  • This role serves in community with other Sunday School teachers. 

Time Commitment: 

  • Preparation: One hour per week 

  • Sunday morning 10:30 am to 11:45 am 

  • At least monthly contact with students outside of Sunday 

  • Total weekly commitment: approximately 3 hours 

Special Talents, Skills Preferred: Passion for youth, organization, creativity, leadership, teaching, shepherding, exhortation 

Resources and Training Provided: Safe church training, ministry trainings