Round Rock Chapel Youth Camp 1998

Preparing a Generation to Harvest

Ministry Rules and Guidelines

These apply primarily to ministry times during the services, sessions and workshops, but are also applicable to all other times. I don't have an official list, but I've heard them enough times that this should be pretty thorough, and pretty close.

Guys minister to guys and girls minister to girls. While this is a guideline, it's a pretty strong one. The points are to make sure there are as few distractions as possible, and to avoid any question of what is going on. Within youth groups, or with a same sex counselor present from the other youth group, this isn't problematic. For instance, if a counselor believes the youth needs a mommy or daddy hug, and asks, this is typically OK. But again, if the teenager isn't from your youth group, or you don't know them very well, or know there are problems, make sure you have another appropriate adult present.
Save ministry for ministry times. This one's a rule. Sometimes a teenager will want ministry during the praise and worship time, teaching time, and so on. Often this means they end up missing something they needed during those times. This is usually a distraction; keep them in the service, and hold off on ministry until the appropriate time.
Honor the New Breed prophecy rules. If you believe you have a prophecy, or a word of knowledge or wisdom for a youth, you generally need to have their youth pastor or one of their counselors there. Do not prophesy about getting married. Don't give dates for events. If it is at all open to interpretation, or could cause problems, take it to someone in authority (your youth pastor or one of the New Breed staff) first.
Guidelines for laying hands on people. First of all, be sure you need to. For instance, during times someone is praying, even if they are crying, it may be better to not touch them. If god is dealing with them, you could be a distraction. Crying can sometimes be with joy; don't assume it means pain or misery. It's a good idea to ask before touching someone. Some people aren't used to it, others are from abusive backgrounds. Finally, just touch them gently; don't push, pull, squeeze or move them around. Do not try to make them fall down. If God wants them down for some reason, He can do that without your help!
What if something demonic happens? If a youth starts acting crazy for no reason, don't freak out. Try to get their youth pastor, or failing that, a New Breed staff member. If you understand what is happening, don't start trying to cast out demons right then; bind the spirits, get the youth settled down, and deal with it later. In extreme situations, you may need to take the youth out of the service to a hallway or another room; you definitely want a youth pastor or a New Breed staffer with you in this case.
Look for God, not the devil. Seek after God. Look for His preesence, His wisdom, for Him to do what needs to be done. He is the one we're seeking. Don't go looking for Satan or demons. If they show up, they can be dealt with, but they should never be our focus.
If someone is "slain in the spirit"... If someone falls down and seems to be out of it, in a trance, or just generally somewhere else, don't mess with them! It's a good idea to have someone nearby to watch over them, but you don't need to touch them, talk to them etc. Pray quietly over them. If they have fallen in a way that's immodest, find a covering (blanket, beach towel, jacket) for them. This is both to keep them from distracting others and so that they needn't be embarassed later.

Last updated: 02 August 2003
Copyright 1998 Miles O'Neal, Austin, TX. All rights reserved.
NOTE: The opinions and beliefs, along with everything else, expressed here are those of the author, and may or may not reflect those of Round Rock Chapel, New Breed Network, ORU, and their attendant staff, members, and other related people.
Miles O'Neal <roadkills.r.us@XYZZY.gmail.com> [remove the "XYZZY." to make things work!] c/o RNN / 1705 Oak Forest Dr / Round Rock, TX / 78681-1514