(application link at the bottom)

So, you want to be on the LFA YOUTH Student Leadership Team…

We are excited about your interest in being a part of the student leadership team. The following is to help answer some of the questions you may be asking. If some of your questions are not answered, don’t hesitate to contact the church office and ask to talk with Pastor Tanner at 936-225-1983.

How do I get in?

You must fill out an application.

You must interview with Pastor Tanner. We will review the Standards of the Core and other basic guidelines with you. 

What is expected of a student leader?

A student leader is expected to live a life that models what it means to follow after Christ, in other words, a “no doubt” lifestyle: there is no doubt you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. We ask leaders to model our vision and purposes. Each Core student leader is expected to live out and model God’s purposes for us.

Student leadership attendance requirements.

Since leadership involves modeling behavior for others, we ask for consistent on-time attendance at the following:

1. All weekly church services, including Sundays, Sunday school, and youth service on Wednesday Nights.

2. Student  Leadership Meeting twice a month.

What are the benefits of being on the Student Leadership Team?

1. Learn leadership skills that will benefit you throughout your life.

2. Get to spend extra time with adult leaders who are devoted to helping you succeed.

3. See God use you to further his kingdom.

4.Know you had a large part in helping LFA YOUTH grow.

5. Grow closer to God and the group.

Can someone get kicked off of the student leadership team?

Yes. Also  a member of this team can make the choice to leave. We follow a “three strikes, you’re out” rule:

1. Lateral accountability  (student-to-student accountability).

2. Adult leader meets with student leadership team member and they discuss the problem and possible solutions.

3. Pastor Tanner will meet with the student leadership team member, and if the problem is not resolved, the student leader will be removed from the Leadership Team

Student Leadership

God’s Word tells us leaders are to live by a higher standard. Often people mistake leadership as a position, a title, or a place where one can be popular and powerful. This isn’t true leadership; true servant leadership is using your influence to serve others. The student leadership team is for teenagers who are willing to do what it takes to rise to a higher standard to be key influencers in extending the kingdom of God.

Standards of the Student Leadership Team

1. Leaders lead by example. It is impossible to lead without consistent attendance and participation. We ask that all student leaders be present at the following:

A. All weekly church services, including Sundays (also Sunday School), youth service, and outside of the church small groups.

B. Student Leadership Meeting once a month.

C. Other youth ministry events. Examples include retreats and service projects.

D. All student leaders are expected to attend Youth Camp and Missions Next Door (Fundraiser will be made available to help with finances).

** We realize that because of time demands and schedules, there will be times that someone has to miss some things. We only ask for COMMUNICATION IN ADVANCE. 

2. A student leader must model a servant attitude. Mark 10:45 says, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others” (NLT). Serving others is the focus rather than pride, ego, and boasting.

3. Student leaders must have a personal relationship with Christ and are expected to have regular time alone with God in prayer and reading God’s Word.

4. A student leader must be active in a ministry team. For example, drama team, worship team, welcome team, media, etc. We encourage you to start a new ministry if God leads you to do so.

5. A student leader is expected to live out Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV). Student leaders are to be positive and encouraging. If there is a problem among the group, students are expected to talk with the leader about it, not other students.

6. A student leader is expected to be a facilitator to help connect new students in the group. This means keeping an eye out for new students, talking and sitting with them, and introducing them to others.

7. We request that obvious Christian convictions and standards be upheld. We especially call attention to the following:

A. All movies and music must simply pass this test: Would Christ be approving of this?

B. We request that all student leaders dress modestly and appropriately at all services and youth ministry activities. In order to uphold a high standard and not distract from our main purpose, we ask that leadership students refrain from wearing short shorts, mini-skirts, spaghetti straps, mid-drift shirts, or extremely tight or low-cut clothing (Believe or not, especially boys) while at any church activities.

C. Because dating can be such a trouble area that Satan uses to pull down students, we ask the following:

1. In keeping with Scripture, no student leader should date a non-Christian.

2. Before any relationship, we ask that each student leader sit down with their adult leader and answer these three questions.

a. Is this person a Christian?

b. Could I see myself marrying this person?

c. Does this person push me closer to God?

** Please understand these standards are not intended to be legalistic but are for your benefit to help you avoid the traps Satan often sets in this area.

8. A student leader must live by a HIGHER STANDARD. The Bible commands us to “abstain from even the appearance of evil” (1 Thess 5:22 KJV). Those in leadership should have a godly hatred of sin and should be willing to walk away from anything that might have the appearance of evil. Students are expected to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Students are also expected to not allow themselves to be places that could appear to be a hindrance to their witness.