YOU 3910 Youth Ministry Practicum MANUAL & SYLLABUS YMFC Practicum Professor Dr. Karen Grant Office: Memorial, Room 110 Office Phone: (803) 807-5466 E-mail: kgrant@ciu.edu Youth Ministries, Family, and Culture Office Columbia International University P.O. Box 3122 Columbia, SC 29230-3122
TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose 3 Prerequisites 3 Credit.. 3 Tuition. 3 Registration Procedures.. 3 Objectives 3-4 Commitments.. 4 Accountability and Responsibilities 4-5 The Responsibilities of the Student... 4 The Responsibilities of the Site Supervisor.... 4 The Responsibilities of the YMFC Practicum Professor. 5 Practicum Grade. 5 Learning Support... 5 Ministry to Minors Policy... 6-9 APPENDICES 1 Application..... 10 2 Personal Growth and Ministry Development Objectives 11 3 Practicum Timesheet 12 4 Student Report and Evaluation 13 5 Portfolio.. 14 6 Site Supervisor s Evaluation. 15-16 2 P a g e
PURPOSE The purpose of a practicum is to expose a student to a particular ministry for the purpose of learning as much as possible about that ministry its purpose, setting, scope, type and training requirements of personnel and the student s interest, passion, and readiness for such ministry. The student may be involved in entry level tasks, or in some skilled ministry tasks related to the student s major. PREREQUISITES Completion of 30 semester hours in the bachelor s degree program and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. The practicum site must be approved by YMFC Practicum Coordinator. CREDIT YOU 3910 Youth Ministry Practicum is a 3 credit hour course. Grade will be based on quality of pre and post practicum assignments and evaluation of Site Supervisor. TUITION Practicum tuition will be charged according to the current catalog rates. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES A. Register for YOU 3910 Youth Ministry Practicum during the term in which the practicum will be completed. B. Consult with Youth Ministry faculty concerning choice of a practicum site. C. Submit a Youth Ministry Practicum Application to the YMFC Practicum Professor. D. Attend all practicum meetings. 3 P a g e OBJECTIVES A. Personal Growth Objectives 1. To grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially. 2. To identify and confirm interest, passion, and readiness for a particular ministry. 3. To understand/confirm God s leading in a future ministry area. 4. To learn as much as possible about a ministry, its purpose, scope, setting, type and training requirements of personnel. 5. To expand understanding of and commitment to one s place in world evangelization. B. Ministry Objectives 1. To be used by God to meet the needs of people. 2. To develop the ability to relate to the various kinds of persons in the ministry setting and develop interpersonal communication skills. 3. To develop the ability to recognize and understand the many kinds of problems faced by people in ministry. 4. To develop the ability to fit smoothly into the setting and routines of a church/organization. 5. To serve as appropriate to one s maturity, gifts, training, and area of ministry.
6. To develop the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate effectiveness in one s ministry and receive the evaluations of others. COMMITMENTS A. The student agrees to complete a minimum of 150 on-site hours. The student agrees to complete all required course assignments and agreed upon ministry duties and responsibilities. B. The Site Supervisor agrees to provide the opportunities for ministry and learning situations needed by the intern and included in a job description. C. The School agrees to provide guidelines, reports and evaluation forms and counsel as needed throughout the program. A. To the Site Supervisor ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT 1. To accept whatever assignments are given within the confines of the job description. 2. To meet with the supervisor as required for training, planning, evaluation, prayer, etc. 3. To discuss with the supervisor any problems which arise in your ministry. 4. To complete and discuss with your supervisor any reports he/she may require and the supervisor s evaluation form. B. To the YMFC Practicum Professor: 1. To submit the following documents before beginning practicum. Practicum Application (Appendix 1) Job description Youth Ministry Practicum Personal Growth and Ministry Development Objectives (Appendix 2). 2. Attend all practicum meetings. 3. Contact professor in case of a serious problem of other need for help. 4. After your practicum submit the following documents to the practicum coordinator. Time Sheet (Appendix 3) Final report (Appendix 4) Portfolio (Appendix 5) Evaluation completed by Site Supervisor (Appendix 6) A. To the student: 1. To provide a job description. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SITE SUPERVISOR 4 P a g e
2. To observe the student in ministry as often as necessary as a basis for evaluation and counsel. 3. To instruct, correct, and encourage the student as needed. 4. To discuss with the student the Supervisor s Evaluation Report and the student s area of ministry strengths before he/she leaves the area. (See Appendix 6) B. To Columbia International University 1. To contact the YMFC Practicum Professor if any serious problem arises. 2. To submit an evaluation report of the student s performance following completion of the student s ministry assignment. (See Appendix 6) RESPONSIBILITES OF THE COURSE PROFESSOR A. To provide guidance and approve practicum site selection. B. To collect all required pre and post practicum documents. C. To assign final grade for the practicum. PRACTICUM GRADE The Youth Ministry Practicum Coordinator will determine the grade using the following criteria: Pre-Practicum Requirements 5% Pre-Practicum Meetings (with Professor).5% Site Supervisor s Evaluation..... 35% Final Report and Evaluation...35% Portfolio..20% Recommendations for Learning Support: Students with physical, emotional, ADD, or learning disabilities who need academic accommodations should make requests through the Academic Success Center (ASC). These requests will be kept confidential. Requests may be made throughout the semester, and ideally they would be initiated as early as possible. The ASC is located on the first floor of Rossi Student Center (803-807-5611, academicsuccess@ciu.edu). If you already receive services through ASC, please contact me so that we can make your academic experience in this class as successful as possible. 5 P a g e
APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR WITH MINORS POLICIES It is the desire of Columbia International University (CIU) to seek to provide for the protection of minors who participate in ministries staffed by faculty, staff and students of CIU. Through the establishment of this policy, CIU desires to avoid maltreatment of a minor by adults and maltreatment of a minor by peers as much as possible. "Minor" includes both children (preschool through 5th grade) and youth (6th grade through 12th grade). "Maltreatment" includes abuse, neglect, and sexual molestation of children. "Abuse" includes not only physical acts, but also verbal harassment as well as the viewing of inappropriate pictures and sexual behavior. CIU strives to understand and comply with legal requirements regarding child maltreatment. CIU also desires to train individuals working with minors to be wise in avoiding situations that can be perceived as inappropriate. Therefore, when working with minors faculty, staff, and students should make every effort to adhere to the policies stated below. POLICY 1: Adequate supervision is to be provided during and after any activity involving minors, during a minor's use of the restroom, when transporting a child to and from ministry activities, and during university approved field trips and overnight activities. POLICY 2: When a child or youth is being disciplined (never physically) or counseled, faculty, staff, and students are to remain in view of other adults or in an open area (i.e. church sanctuary, gymnasium). POLICY 3: Permission (usually written) must be obtained from a minor's parent or legal guardian for participation in activities that occur away from the usual ministry location. POLICY 4: Physical contact with a minor must be within the age-appropriate guidelines as found in this document. POLICY 5: All faculty, staff, and students must abide by South Carolinas laws regarding child abuse and neglect. POLICY 6: All faculty, staff, and students involved in ministry to minors must complete a screening process before being given permission to be involved in this ministry. POLICY 7: All faculty, staff, and students must comply with the Sponsoring Agencies Policies concerning minors which should not contradict this policy. 6 P a g e
GUIDELINES Guidelines for General Supervision Whenever possible, two adult leaders should be present during any activity involving minors. In situations where there is only one leader, an additional leader should be available to go from class to class to provide supervision and assistance as needed. Minors should not be allowed into the teaching facilities or vehicles until sufficient adult supervision has arrived to oversee the minors (a goal of 1 adult for every 6-8 minors; in some situations, a smaller ratio may be necessary). It is strongly encouraged that two adults stay on site when a minor or minors must wait for transportation. Guidelines for Supervision of Restroom Use If two or more minors are simultaneously using a multiple-stall restroom, two adults should be present: one inside the restroom supervising the minors, and the second near the door but still able to see the first adult. If only one minor is in the restroom, one adult should stand just outside the door to ensure that no one else goes in. If circumstances require the adult to assist the minor in the restroom (e.g., preschool, physically handicapped or sick children), all doors must be propped open between the minor and the "public" area, thus allowing the adult's actions to be viewed by other adults at any time. Guidelines for Transporting Minors Two personnel/adults must be in the vehicle at all times when transporting only one child and whenever possible when transporting more than one child. At least one of the students/adults" in the car must be 18 or older. Guidelines for Counseling and Disciplinary Sessions When a room is used to provide a degree of privacy, the door to the room must be open. CIU faculty, staff or students must make every effort to sit where they can be seen easily by anyone who passes by the door. Guidelines Regarding Physical Contact Each CIU person involved in ministry to minors will be provided with a personal copy of these guidelines (see pages 3-4). Each CIU person involved in ministry to minors must have a signed Verification Statement on file declaring their agreement to abide by these guidelines and policies every semester (see page 5). Guidelines for Supervision of Field Trips and Overnight Activities The person planning the field trip or overnight activity must discuss the plans and have it signed off on by his on sight supervisor and or CIU supervisor to determine the appropriate number of adults needed to ensure adequate supervision. The appropriate number of adults will vary depending on the age and number of the minors, nature of the activity, and experience of the adults. For overnight activities, separate sleeping quarters must be provided for males and females. The male/female ratio of adults should correspond to the male/female ratio of the minors. 7 P a g e
APPROPRIATE AND INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT AND TOUCH WITH CHILDREN (PRESCHOOL THROUGH 5TH GRADE) The guidelines listed below begin with the most restrictive category and progress to other settings. Each category automatically assumes that all of the preceding guidelines are also in effect in the new context, unless specifically changed. In classroom settings: As a general rule, children should be touched only in bony areas (e.g. shoulders, elbows, hands, heads), not in fatty areas. Areas of the body normally covered by a one-piece bathing suit should never be touched. Side-by-side hugs are allowed as a brief display of affirmation. Adults may place children up through 1st grade on their laps provided their bodies are facing side-ways or away from the adult. Wrestling, punching, hitting, etc. are never appropriate activities. During trips and retreats: On all trips the male/female ratio of adults should correspond to the male/female ratio of the children. (Partial-day trips with children 3rd grade and under are not bound by this restriction.) Absolutely no romantic behavior (e.g. hand-holding, hugging, kissing, etc.) is permitted by adults or minors. On overnight trips, each person must have his/her own bed or sleeping bag. Adults should demonstrate appropriate modesty when dressing and undressing in the presence of minors. Adults should provide adequate supervision in all activities related to sleeping and personal hygiene. Playground and gym activities: Because this setting allows for more contact and thus presents more opportunity for difficulties to arise, NONE of these activities should be engaged in unless there is more than one adult and one child in the immediate vicinity on the playground or in the gym. Piggy-back rides: Swinging in circles: Wrestling: Organized games: Should only be allowed male/male and female/female, and Should only be allowed through grade 2. Should only be allowed male/male and female/female, Should be done with child's back to adult's front, holding under the child's arms, and Should only be allowed through grade 2. Not appropriate, as in classroom setting. Play equipment: Care should be taken that only appropriate touch is given when assisting children on and off play equipment. Good judgment should be used in selecting organized games in order to avoid inappropriate contact with minors and between minors. 8 P a g e
APPROPRIATE AND INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT AND TOUCH WITH YOUTH (6TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE) 1. One-on-one ministry situation APPROPRIATE: When in one-on-one ministry situation the student should choose one of the following settings: Office/room open, windowed door within sight of others Restaurant and public places Student Center/youth room with others present INAPPROPRIATE: The following would not be good settings: In closed room/building - out of sight of others In a car In apartment, dorm or room alone In a chat room, IM messages or individual emails 2. In interpersonal ministry with students, physical touch is a natural component. However there are appropriate and inappropriate approaches. Some examples of each are as follows: DO NOT Touch in any area that a bathing suit would cover Have prolonged touch Caress the head Sit in lap Back rub/rub back ALLOWED TOUCH Side way hugs Warm hand shake Light touch on shoulder, arm Touch top of hand Pat on top of upper back 3. The faculty, staff, or student is responsible to oversee/guard the youth to youth interactions from abuse and/or unwholesome activity. Care should be taken when planning: Games Camps/outings/retreats Van/bus trips/lock-ins In the real world of ministry there are situations that require latitude or more careful restrictions. In these cases accountability communication and co-ordination with your supervisor is required. 9 P a g e
Appendix 1 Youth Ministry Practicum Application Name: Box # Cell Phone # Other Phone # School Address: E-Mail: Semester of Practicum: Fall Spring Summer Practicum Site: Site Address: Site Supervisor: Name Position Supervisors Phone: E-mail: Description of Practicum Responsibilities: (use back of application or attach job description). I (print full name) have read and understand theyouth Ministry Practicum Manual. I agree to abide by the Appropriate Behavior with Minors Policies, as well as the appropriate Touch Policies for Children and Youth in the entirety of my service. I further declare that I have never been engaged in, or convicted of, any form of maltreatment of children or youth including abuse, neglect, or sexual molestation as defined by Scripture and South Carolina state law. Date Signature Student ID# 10 P a g e
Appendix 2 YOUTH MINISTRY PRACTICUM PERSONAL GROWTH AND MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES Name: Box: Practicum Site: Site Supervisor: Dates of Practicum: During the practicum I plan to: (Use the back of sheet if necessary.) 1. Learn this: 2. Develop these character and personal attributes: 3. Develop these skills: 4. Learn and develop the above in these ministry activities: 11 P a g e
Appendix 3 Youth Ministry Practicum Time sheet Name: Ministry Site: Week Brief Description Hours Total Hours 12 P a g e
13 P a g e Appendix 4 STUDENT S FINAL REPORT AND EVALUATION Your final report and evaluation should reflect your ability to take an objective look at yourself and what you have done, to recognize and evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and to make realistic plans for the future. Keeping your objectives in mind, it would be helpful to keep a journal of significant experiences that have helped you meet those objectives so you can reference them in this report. CONTENT Your report should include a description or evaluation of: 1. What you did. 2. Progress made in meeting each of your objectives. Comment on each objective in Appendix 2. 3. What you learned about God, His grace, power, faithfulness, and ways of dealing with His servants, using them in His service, etc. 4. What you learned about people what they are like, how they think and how to relate and effectively minister to them, etc. 5. What you learned about yourself and your suitability for this kind of ministry; what you learned about your giftedness, temperament, and passion for ministry; what you learned about your ministry skills. 6. Problems you faced and progress you made toward overcoming them. Include those still unresolved. 7. Tangible results and contributions you made in your ministry. 8. Summary of specific ways this practicum helped you in your preparation for future ministry including understanding of your place in God s plan for world evangelization, areas of your personal life and ministry that need further improvement or development, and practical steps you plan to take in your development from this point on. The report should be: FORMAT 1. Organized in essay form with appropriate headings. 2. Typewritten and at least 6 double-spaced pages. 3. Grammatically correct and have no misspelled words. The report is to be submitted to the YMFC Internship/Practicum Professor following the completion of your practicum by the assigned due date.
Appendix 5 Columbia International University YOU 3910 Youth Ministry Practicum PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT At the end of your internship all students must submit, to the YMFC Practicum Professor, a portfolio of items from your internship experience. POSSIBLE ITEMS FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO: Information about organization Job Description Administration Stuff Lesson Plans Promotions Photos or video Miscellaneous (anything else you created) Copy of your Final Report Organize items in a binder, scrapbook, or USB flash drive. If using a binder, use dividers to label and separate the different categories of your portfolio contents. 14 P a g e
Appendix 6 SITE SUPERVISOR S EVALUATION OF STUDENT (This should be completed by the supervisor having the closest contact with the student.) Name of Student Church or other organization Period of service: From to What were his/her responsibilities? What did he/she do best? In what areas was he/she least effective? What qualities (personal characteristics, natural abilities, spiritual gifts) do you see in him/her which give promise of effective Christian service either as a layman or in vocational Christian service? What type of vocational service could you see this student doing in the future? Why? How was the student received by the people he/she associated with and ministered to? Children Young People Adults Unhampered by any question, please give a summary evaluation of this student s performance under your supervision and your estimate of his/her potential for effective ministry in this country or overseas. 15 P a g e
Please help this student s ministry skill and personal character development process by completing the following evaluation. 16 P a g e Note: 1 indicates minimal, 5 indicates maximum effectiveness, N indicates not observed PERSONAL Maintains a flexible, teachable attitude. Has been dependable and faithful. Shows evidence of a consistent walk with God Demonstrates a passion for non-christians.. Has accepted tasks joyfully and with a servant s heart Takes initiative as opportunities present themselves Is properly groomed and practices proper hygiene.. Demonstrates good poise and maturity MINISTRY Communicates well in formal settings (teaching, preaching, group). Communicates well in informal settings (conversationally).. Is a good team player.. Relates well to others. Handles accurately the Word of God in ministry settings Is adequately prepared and prompt.. Demonstrates tactful confrontational style (when appropriate).. Are there any areas mentioned above that the student should target for improvement and development? If so, explain: Date Name **Note: Has this evaluation been shared with the student? Yes No If not, would do you have any objection to our using this information as appropriate in counseling? Please send with student or mail to: Dr. Karen Grant Youth Ministry, Family, and Culture Office Columbia International University P.O. Box 3122 Columbia, SC 29230-3122