Internship: Student Helps - Master’s College and … Student Helps.pdfMaster’s College & Seminary Internship: Student Helps 2016-2017 3 Family’s routine – Be respectful of

Internship:

Student Helps

Master’s College & Seminary

Internship: Student Helps

2016-2017

2

Congratulations! You’re on the home stretch. Internship; then graduation; then a new adventure with Jesus. We want the internship experience to be good for all involved so we’ve prepared some “crib sheets” to help you. Just follow the simple principle, “It should be better for my having been there” and you’ll have it covered. Always ask yourself, how can I best represent Christ, MCS, the church, the pastor, and myself? Remember, you’re still an MCS student just in a different location and therefore the following still apply:

- Acceptable Use Policy - Social Networking Policy - Code of Conduct

Even if you privately don’t agree with every detail of our guidelines and policies, by virtue of being a Master’s student you have agreed to comply with the standards established by MCS and the PAOC.

House Guest Etiquette

Treat everything in your hosts’ home with more care than you would your own, including their furnishings, their schedules, and their plans.

Do not roll your suitcase; carry it.

Be Neat (make your bed, don’t leave clothes lying around, don’t leave your stuff in the common

areas of the house, take your shoes off and neatly set them by the door).

Replace anything you damage

Bathroom Etiquette – No long showers (run shower water 5 min max), use your own toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), wipe up after yourself (no toothpaste blobs, no hair, no water puddles or splatters). If it’s a shared bathroom, don’t leave your toiletries lying around. Take them back to your room.

Table Manners - Don’t start eating until your host(ess) sits down and prays. No slurping or

talking with food in your mouth. Help clear table space. Offer to help with dishes (if you don’t know how to do dishes, now would be a good time to learn). Allergies excepted, eat what is served (even if you don’t like peas, gag them down). Turn off your cell phone. Keep your elbows off the table.

Internet – Check with host about internet usage (some people have limited plans – it shouldn’t

cost your host for you to use their internet)

TV – People have different ideas and rules for TV use, follow the family’s guidelines and if you have been given permission to use the family TV, remember you get last dib and be extra cautious with content.



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Family’s routine – Be respectful of the family’s routine (bed time, rising time, meal time)

Noise & Music – Not everyone likes your music so keep the decibel levels down. Be conversant

and sociable but not loud or dominating in conversation.

Helpful Hint: Pause, Pivot, Pan: Every time you leave a room ask yourself: Have I forgotten anything; is everything back in place; are the lights out; is any garbage laying around.

Be punctual – This does not mean showing up at the last minute. Be at least a few minutes early

and come prepared.

Two new favourite words – “Please” and “Thank You”

Any issues or concerns with host family contact pastor; with host church/pastor contact Owen

(Pastoral Ministry student) or Eldon (Youth Ministry student)



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Abuse Prevention Policy We have not finalized our Abuse Prevention Policy but we do have some Best Practice Guidelines outlined below.

PURPOSE: The following “Guidelines” are given to help protect the child, the staff worker or adult volunteer, and any church or community agency we are associated with as “persons of trust”.

BELIEF:

As students in training for Christian ministry, we have a “spiritual, moral and legal obligation to provide a secure environment for children participating in any church or community program. Child abuse is a criminal act as well as a violation of human conscience and dignity. It is a violation of God’s moral law within the trusted context of relationship. It is criminal behavior that causes emotional, physical and spiritual trauma to victims, has

destructive consequences for abusers, and devastating effects on the credibility of the church or community organization”. (p.1) Genesis 1:27; Matthew 18:5-6; Ephesians 5:3.

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

Quotes and adaptation of information is taken from the Policies and Procedures Manual, “A

Plan to Protect,” a publication of the Canadian Ministries Department of the PAOC, 1997.

DEFINITION OF “CHILD”: “Child” means a person under the age of eighteen years according to the Age of Majority and

Accountability Act, Canada’s First Report on the International Convention on the Rights of the Child – Ontario. Check for the definition of “child” according to the Child Protection Act of the province you are ministering in.

DEFINITION OF “ABUSE”:

Abuse can be physical, emotional or sexual. All child abuse involves the misuse of power. Misuse of power is people taking advantage of the authority or power they have over vulnerable people. Vulnerable people include adults with physical or mental disabilities and children (p. 6 & 7).

ADVISEMENT:

Students are advised to check with the church or agency they are placed with, regarding the policies and guidelines that are to be followed.

BASIC GUIDELINES WHEN ASSOCIATING WITH MINORS



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1. Adult Supervision: Maintain adequate adult supervision of children. A general rule is a minimum of two adults in any room with children – “two adult rule”. A temporary alternative is “the open door” policy.

2. Ministry Guideline: Adults (pastoral staff or volunteers) working with children/minors will not meet with a child/minor alone in any context – social, counseling, church related activities, or for transportation. Parents should be informed that his guideline will be followed except when specific parental consent is given. If a child/minor wishes to discuss a problem that she/he does not want shared with her/his parents, a second adult (the same gender as the minor/child) should be present.

3. Transporting Minors: The two-adult rule must be maintained when giving rides or doing pick-ups of children/minors. This protects both adult and child.

4. Field Trips/Overnight Events: Children must have parental permission for involvement in church sponsored field trips or overnight events. Supervisory guidelines must be

established, approved, and carefully maintained. 5. Sports Events and Locker Room Settings: The “two adult rule”

should be observed. 6. Proper Display of Affection: Touch is an essential component in

nurturing lives. The following guidelines are recommended as pure, genuine and positive displays of God’s love:

Appropriate Touch

Bending down to the child’s eye level; listening carefully Taking a child’s hand to lead him or her to an activity Putting an arm around the shoulder of a child who needs quieting or comforting

Taking both of the child’s hands as you say, “You did a good job!”, “I’m so glad to see you!”,

“We’ve missed you!”, etc.

Patting a child on the head, hand, shoulder or back to affirm him or her

Holding a child by the shoulders or hand to keep his or her attention while you redirect the

child’s behaviour

Gently holding a child’s chin to help him or her focus on what you are saying (important for

children with attention deficit disorder)

Holding a preschool child who is crying Inappropriate Touch

Kissing a child, coaxing a child to hug or kiss you, tickling, wrestling, shoulder massaging,

extended hugging Carrying older children who can/should walk

Allowing children to sit on your lap. They should sit beside you.



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Touching a child in any area that would be covered by a bathing suit (except when assisting a child with toileting as outlined in No. 7 below).

7. Washroom Guidelines: Nursery: As a general rule, staff in the nursery will not be

expected to change diapers.However, if necessary, diaper changing must always take place in such a way that another nursery worker can see the child that is being changed.

Preschool Children: When only one adult is available to accompany a child to the washroom, prop the outside door open. If assistance is necessary, an adult may enter the washroom cubicle only when a second adult is within visual contact. If this is not possible, inform another adult when taking a child to the washroom and when returning. We suggest only women assist children in the washrooms.

Grades 1-6 and Youth: An adult volunteer escorts the child, and props the door open. The adult then remains outside the washroom door and waits to escort the child back to the classroom. Never go into a washroom cubicle with a child/youth and shut the door.

8. Reporting Abuse: We are legally responsible to report any form of abuse, and are legally at risk for abuse that is not reported. Reports of abuse should be made only to the proper person in authority (supervisor or pastor). Maintaining confidentiality is essential.

Note: Individual churches may have additional guidelines. In an early conversation with your supervisor, please ask for a copy of the church’s Abuse Prevention (Plan to Protect) document.

Motivator:

These guidelines are

for everyone’s

protection Motivator

A good reputation is

more easily destroyed

than repaired.



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Church Guest Etiquette

Punctual – Travel to work is not paid time. Show up on time for the office, services, and appointments.

Neat – Whatever working space has been allocated to you,

be tidy & organized

Phone & Email etiquette – Be courteous and professional – you represent the pastor and the church not just yourself

Communication / Speech – Be clear, courteous and respectful – Again,

you represent the pastor and the church not just yourself. Learn to listen carefully (you’d be amazed what you learn by listening)

Day off – You should be given one day a week off. Don’t ask for a Sunday off. You are expected

to be at the church every Sunday of your internship.

Discretion in conversation, appearance, and actions – In church leadership, particularly in any support role, you need to be the one who adapts to the culture you are ministering in. That may mean removing certain words from your vocabulary, putting some of your clothes in storage and controlling certain habits. People won’t hear a word you say, however profound, if they are deafened by your attire. Be very cautious about having theological debates.

Boss Etiquette

Confidentiality – You are in a very privileged position where you are often privy to confidential matters. Put a stopper in your ear and duct tape over your mouth if that’s what it takes for you to keep things confidential

Loyalty – You are answerable to the host pastor and, as such, should be loyal to him/her. If you

are in disagreement with his/her opinion or decision, keep it to yourself. Remember, your opinion is just your opinion.



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