Other Info

Please list any food allergies or medically necessary dietary needs that you may have, along with the severity.

TEAM POSITIONS:

Please select AT LEAST 3 TEAM CHOICES, and prioritize them in the order you would prefer.

Adult Table Leader (3-4 positions):

Involves facilitating small group discussion, sharing, listening, and caring. It is suggested that first time adult team members start as an ATL, but is not necessary.

Kitchen Team (2-3 positions):

This position involves directing youth in the preparation of meals. Kitchen Team serves the Agape dinner, and encourages the weekenders to sing for meals.

Support Team (2-3 positions):

This position involves directing youth in setup of events, organization, and cleaning of the church building.

Wheat Team (2-3 positions):

This position involves directing youth in prayer throughout the weekend. Wheat Team prays up each speaker before a talk, leads commissioning services, and performs The Champion.

Spiritual Director (1-2 positions):

This position involves conducting services, giving one of two talks, and providing counseling as needed during the weekend. SDs should be a church ministry professional (pastor, youth director, etc).

Music Team (1-2 positions):

This position involves leading singing throughout the weekend. Must be familiar with Christian youth praise music, both high energy and mellow.

List Music Experience (if selecting Music or Wheat)

Please read the following contract, clothing policy, and adult expecations and check the confirmation boxes below.

CONTRACT

We are here to serve the Weekenders and to praise God through word and action. These rules need to be honored by every team member.

1. You are asked to attend all team meetings prior to the weekend. Absences are discouraged. Any absences must be cleared with the Adult Coordinators (ACs) prior to being gone. No more than one absence will be allowed.
2. Team members are expected to be present for the entire TEC weekend, from Thursday afternoon (the team gathers at the church at 4:00 PM) through Sunday evening after cleanup.
3. No driving after the weekend begins without permission from the adult team leaders.
4. Team members will refrain from displaying overly affectionate behavior toward other team members or Weekenders.
5. T.E.C. is a tobacco-free activity. We must respect the tobacco-free policies of churches and the law. This includes adults.
6. Sleeping is required and allowed only in the designated male and female sleeping rooms, not in common areas or in the team rooms. Please be courteous to those who wish to sleep.
7. Team members are expected to remain in their work area and perform tasks as directed by the team leadership.
8. Any phones brought to the weekend can only be used in sleeping rooms and must not interfere with responsibilities of the weekend. If they become a problem, they may be confiscated and returned Sunday following closing.
9. Cameras, other than the weekend photographer, are only allowed in Team-Only areas. The use of cameras should not interfere with your responsibilities on the weekend.
10. All music played during the weekend must be Christian music. The ACs, Rector, and Rectora must approve all secular music with a Christian message before the weekend begins.
11. Team members must adhere to the guidelines of the weekend dress code.
12. Team members and Weekenders should be respectful in conversations throughout the weekend. Report uncomfortable situations to an adult.
13. Please be reminded that we do not want to see postings to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other social media site from a team member during a weekend. Once you're at the church on Thursday afternoon, know that social media can wait until after the weekend so as not to distract you from serving. Any team members found to post to such social media sites during the weekend will be ineligible to work the next weekend.

As a member of the team, you are expected to abide by all of the above items. Failure to do so could result in dismissal from the team.

Most of all, the TEC Council wants you to have fun while serving the Weekenders and praising God.

CLOTHING POLICY

If you are on team or are a Weekender, your clothing has the potential to influence people’s perception of you and, more importantly, Christ. Choosing modest clothing helps to avoid distractions and misunderstandings. You are asked to choose apparel consistent with the following guidelines during team meetings and at the weekend:

Please Bring

• Modest length shorts, skirts, dresses, or pants. This also applies to sleepwear.
• Modest swimsuits/swim trunks. Please note that although there won't be swimming every weekend, swimsuits are a good idea for additional privacy in the showers.
• Closed-toed shoes for team members working in the kitchen. To prevent injury, you need to bring a pair of shoes that completely cover your foot.

Please Don't Bring

• Clothing that reveals undergarments, midriffs, or too much of the chest or buttocks.
• Apparel that:
  • Includes obscene, vulgar, abusive, or discriminatory language or images
  • Advertises or promotes alcohol, chemicals, tobacco, or any other product illegal for use by minors
  • Represents hate groups, is gang-related, or contains threatening language

Why Is This Clothing Policy Important?

Each person represents Christ in the communities that they belong to, including the TEC community. While those outside of TEC may choose to wear these clothing items, doing so can work against efforts to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. It is for this reason that you are asked to refrain.

Your youth and adult leaders do not want to be the "clothing police" during the TEC weekend. You are asked to abide by this clothing policy.

Your help is appreciated in creating a safe, respectful environment for your TEC experience.

ADULT EXPECTATIONS

Thank you for volunteering to be an adult supporter for Teens Encounter Christ. We couldn’t continue this ministry without people like you!

Because TEC is built on developing strong, faith-based relationships, we encourage you to connect with the teens and maintain those friendships and support networks even after the weekend ends. However, to protect both the teens and yourself from engaging in or being perceived as having any inappropriate relationships, please practice the following boundaries and procedures:

God Works Through Us and Our Relationships

While the mission of TEC is to build leaders in their churches, often the teens and even adults who are drawn to the relational and healing aspects of this ministry have experienced some very difficult circumstances prior to becoming involved. As a result, we need to be aware that any one of the people we encounter and interact with on the weekend may have experienced some type of trauma that makes them vulnerable. We never want to say or behave in a way that causes any of the people on a weekend to feel uncomfortable or scared.

Responsibilities of Adults at TEC

To ensure that the Team and the Weekenders have the best possible experience, we ask that the Adults always keep the following four things in the forefront of their minds:

1. Supervision and Safety

TEC is designed to be teen-led. Our primary responsibility as adults is to provide supervision and support to ensure that expectations are being followed and everyone is safe. Teens are still learning and growing and can make poor decisions, especially when around their peers:

• Don’t put teens at risk by allowing them to be in any locked or out-of-the-way places in the church in pairs or small groups (even if they are the same sex).
• Be aware of changes in teens that may indicate that they are struggling emotionally or physically.
• Be alert to signs of chemical use, especially vaping or other easy-to-hide items that they could abuse on the weekend.
• Stop any physical horseplay that could result in injury or damage to property.

2. Boundaries

In order to protect ourselves, the TEC Organization, and most importantly the teens themselves, we must also be sure we are setting appropriate boundaries with the teens we interact with. This includes the following:

Physical Boundaries

Hugs should never be forced upon another person. Any person not wanting to engage in a hug should not feel pressured to do so but can either hold out a hand for a handshake or hold up a hand to indicate that they prefer a non-physical sharing of the love of God.

ALWAYS be conscious of the risks of being alone with a teen. Consider leaving doors open or having another person join you if you are doing a task or driving in a vehicle to run an errand.

Sexual Boundaries

There should NEVER be any sexual contact between ANY adults and teens. Also, be conscious of any behavior that may appear to others as sexually provocative or inappropriate:

• Unwelcome behavior or words directed at an individual because of gender, sexual preference, or sexual identity.
• Be aware of your clothing. Choose modest pieces that are not too revealing.
• Be aware of your posture and proximity to others. Avoid even casual touching as it can make others uncomfortable.

Personal Boundaries

Many Weekenders and Team often share very personal information. All information and stories shared should be considered confidential and not discussed outside of the weekend without the express permission of the persons involved.

Electronic Boundaries

A lawyer will recommend writing all electronic communications as if they were going to be read in court. We want you to make sure you write all of your electronic exchanges with teens (and everyone) so that if they are read in your church you are not embarrassed! This includes but is not limited to:

• Texts
• E-mails
• Social Media Posts

3. Reporting

Some occupations (teachers, doctors, pharmacists, counselors, etc.) are mandatory reporters. This means that if the individual feels that a youth may be in danger, they must report this to the authorities.

TEC asks that you report ANY information shared with you that indicates a student is in harm’s way. This includes:

• Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Chemical use or abuse
• Sexual/physical abuse by another adult or teen
• Threats to hurt another

If you hear something of concern, make sure you report it to an Adult Coordinate or Spiritual Director immediately.

4. Support

“Love one another as I have loved you.” - John 15:12

While our mission is to support teens in the development of their faith, we also want to support one another as we are all God’s Children. Treat one another with love, kindness, and patience, especially when you need to give redirection or feedback that may be difficult to hear.

Also, know that we couldn’t do this ministry without you. Let us know if you have any questions or need additional training or prayers.

You are expected to attend all team meetings prior to the weekend. Absences are discouraged. Any absences must be cleared with the Adult Coordinators (ACs) prior to being gone. No more than one absence will be allowed. Unexcused non-emergency absences will result in dismissal from team.

PLEASE NOTE: TEC IS A TOBACCO FREE WEEKEND.

Please press Submit ONCE to submit your application. You will be required to submit $55.00 payment upon completing this application. If you are not ready to pay the registration fees at this time, please do not fill out another application later. You can use the "Pay Registration Fees" link under the Registrations Menu.