Paris First United Methodist Church

Dear Perspective Volunteer,


I’M THRILLED AND EXCITED THAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SERVING IN THIS MINISTRY!


Every believer has something to offer the body of Christ and we believe that every member of PFirst should have an area of service. Not only that, but we believe God has uniquely given us abilities and desires to serve in a particular area of ministry.


We are thrilled you are considering making an investment in the lives of our students.  God has entrusted us with students that we minister to on a weekly basis and we believe that healthy relationships with adult leaders foster and encourage healthy spiritual growth. We are looking for adult leaders who have a strong commitment to Christ and a strong desire to care for students. The quality of adult leadership is extremely important to us.


Student ministry is a great place to make an eternal investment in the lives of teenagers! I’m thankful you are considering serving here! I look forward to talking with you soon about your hopes and desires for ministry. 

Youth ministry is not comfortable! It's not easy! But it is normal and okay to feel inadequate about your skills. Your confidence will grow the longer you do ministry and you see how God can use inadequate people to do great things.

We will only change the youth world one student at a time. Today’s students do not connect to programs they connect with people. The most effective way to impact students is through significant relationships with caring adults in their lives. One of the common roadblocks for adults getting started in youth ministry is they have misconceptions about what it takes to be a youth worker.


Here’s the truth about what students need:


Students need adults who will. . .
love God and live for Him
be interested in their life
take initiative to spend time with them
pray for them
be real
say encouraging words
believe in them
laugh and have a good time
remember their name and care for them
share God’s love through personal experience
be consistent in their attendance
be patient

Thanks for being a part

of this team!

F.I.T. Leadership
F.I.T. stands for Faithful, Intentional, Teachable. When we’re looking to develop ministry partners we look for people with these characteristics. We’re committed to the truth found in Jesus, intentional in connecting with students, and willing to consistently grow in our effectiveness and the quality of our leadership.


The Three F’s: Faith Fun Family
Who are we? We are a community that’s all about faith, fun, and family. This is our culture; this is who we are. Our faith is what distinguishes us: we love the Lord and people and want them to experience the abundant life that comes with following Jesus. We’re fun: we’re all about having fun and believe that we are to be people who exude genuine joy. IMPACT is like a family because a family is a place where you are known, loved, accepted, challenged, and celebrated. These are all attributes that define the culture we want to create.


Leaders
As we continue to grow, we need more F.I.T. leaders. The best leaders are ones who are already connected to leaders in this ministry. When you share stories of what God is doing, that is often the thing that draws people in to serve. If you know someone that might be a great fit, invite them to IMPACT one night and have them connect with Chris.


What You Bring

You bring leadership, lifestyle, and love. In your leadership you bring wisdom, counsel, grace, and truth. Students aren’t perfect, and neither are you. Continue to be a solution-focused individual. Leaders who have a healthy mentorship relationship with students set IMPACT apart. Growing disciples happens when biblical principles are caught, not taught, and that’s where you as a role model come in. Show students how you live your life with God. Show students how you use your gifts to serve Him. Students will be watching your every move, and you bring a demonstration of the gospel lived out. 

Developing You As A Leader
If you serve for a year or a decade, we want you to leave as a better leader in life, not just ministry. We will provide leadership training, mentorship through coaching, and the opportunity for you to develop your gifts and empower you to use them.


The Fruit Of Ministry
We believe growth in numbers must be predicated by growth in the spiritual depth of our students' faith. Small groups, retreats, weekly encouragement, Bible study, and a vibrant prayer life are rhythms and habits that help cultivate healthy disciples. Making disciples is what IMPACT is about. Equipping disciples to make disciples is the fruit of our ministry.



Seeing Our Community Transformed
The vision of serving our city goes well beyond our building.  IMPACT is a place where students are empowered with the Gospel to serve their city, reach their school, and invite their friends into a life-giving relationship with Jesus. We will be actively involved in serving our schools in whatever capacity they need. We love young people and desire to serve them regardless of whether they walk through our doors or not.

Protecting You, the IMPACT Team
As a Ministry Partner, you carry our D.N.A and are a representative of IMPACT. As you commit to lead, we in turn offer our commitment to support you. We will focus on developing and training you to grow. Our desire is for you to grow in your relationship with God, to develop as a leader, and to succeed in life. We commit to care for and provide biblical and spiritual guidance to you when requested. In addition, we are committed to keeping sensitive issues confidential. This is our commitment to you as a member of the IMPACT Team.


Ministry Partner Rights
Treated fairly and with respect.
The right to resources and leadership training.
Safe environment that is supportive and free of unnecessary stress.
The right to speak about concerns on method or message of IMPACT leadership without fear of harsh reprimand or being dismissed by leadership team.

Leaders Nights
Leaders Nights will be times focused on you being ministered to rather than to be the ones ministering to others. Being a ministry partner involves emotional, spiritual, and physical output, and we don’t want any leader to burn out. Leaders nights are to remind you that you are not alone and that we are in it together. The year will include four scheduled leaders events throughout the year. Being a leader at IMPACT includes attending these events and growing in community.

Youth Leadership / Volunteer Meetings