HANSON BAPTIST CHURCH YOUTH GROUP
Rules & Dress Code Installed 1993 - Amended 2008 & 2014
The focus of our ministry here is to lovingly confront people with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and this ministry has two biblical objectives:
To tell people of their need to repent from sin, and be brought into right relationship with God through Jesus Christ the Savior.
To grow those disciples God has placed in our care to maturity and service in the faith.
All motives and activities of the New Testament church should seek to fulfill these 2 primary objectives. The church finds its very identity and reason for existing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and should therefore seek to reflect His ministry and character.
To help promote an environment for our students’ spiritual growth that is safe, healthy, and God-honoring in its attempt to achieve these objectives, we have put the following rules into effect:
Adult staff & chaperones will be respected and obeyed at all times. They are giving their time for the protection and guidance of the group.
The rules of any establishment we visit will be honored as our own.
Opposite sex facilities are off-limits at all times without adult approval / supervision.
Romantic displays of affection are not allowed since this is a ministry group and not a date. This includes hugging, kissing, hand-holding, and sitting together in any manner deemed inappropriate by the adult staff.
Repeated disruptions (distracting talk, joking around) during teaching, or preaching times will not be tolerated. Profanity is prohibited.
Meeting times and schedules for the group will be followed at all times. If you come to a church event, you are agreeing to do what the church has planned for you to do.
The following items are prohibited since they are usually offensive to, or distracting from our ministry objectives: Lighters, matches, fireworks, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, weapons, ungodly books and magazines (staff discretion), skateboards & roller blades, and any practical joke material. Personal listening devices (i-pods, etc.) may be disallowed too (staff discretion). The adult staff reserve the right to add any items to this list they deem a problem at any time. Any prohibited items brought will be confiscated & returned to the student's parent.
Graduates from H.S., & young adults are allowed to visit the youth group when in town for holidays, etc. as long as they are in good standing with the church & YMT. The YMT reserve the right to disallow any graduate from visiting the youth group at any time. The well-being of our youth group members is our priority. Once reaching age 21, graduates may apply to be on the YMT per guidelines in our policy manual.
Chaperones & drivers for youth trips must be 21 years of age or older, and approved by the YMT. Approved drivers for the church bus must be 25 years of age or older. Seat belts must be worn at all times.
Our DRESS CODE, which closely follows the guidelines of the Hopkins County School Board code, will be in effect at all times for the group. It includes:
No revealing tank-tops, midriffs, spaghetti straps, low-cut, or excessively tight shirts or dresses.
No short-shorts, or short hemlines. (Hem should be even with, or longer than, extended fingertips with arms at side).
No sleeveless shirts or tank tops unless specified as OK.
No hats in worship areas on guys.
No exposed underwear.
No t-shirts or logos representing ungodly philosophies - including offensive music groups. (Staff discretion).
No cross-gender dressing (including, but not limited to, nail polish & eye make-up on guys).
No 2-piece swimsuits. Tankinis for girls are allowed if top & bottom meet.
Shoes are to be worn to church.
Anything disruptive to the cause of Christ is prohibited.
Any regular attendee violating the group dress code may be asked to change, or be dismissed from the youth meeting/event.
Your cooperation in supporting these rules is greatly appreciated, and will help to ensure that we are pursuing the fulfillment of the objectives of the church. All of the above rules in general will be enforced with the following system of consequences, however, the adult staff reserves the right to immediately dismiss anyone due to flagrant violations or insubordination:
1st offense: Loss of privileges (e.g. - suspension from the next similar activity / confiscation of materials).
2nd offense: Call home & explain the problem.
3rd offense: Go home. (Parents are responsible for transportation and costs).
For your teen & the cause of Christ,
The Elder Board