Discipline Policies During Our Meetings

Actions by students that result in disciplinary measures usually fall under 6 categories. See them below and their respective disciplinary measures. These areas are by no means a comprehensive list, but they are definitely areas which, if allowed to continue,  could quickly detract from the mission of the Jr. High ministry.  Keep in mind, our policies are not wooden and we place a value on flexibility when appropriate.

One thing we want to make sure you understand is that all of our disciplinary action is coupled with personal one on one communication with the student(s) in question.  We try to graciously show them how their behavior might be a reflection of their spiritual attitude.   So, we try to connect their actions with their spiritual condition.  For example, if someone is constantly being disruptive, we'll pull them aside afterwards and  say something like, "So all this disruption really shows you probably don't have too much interest in the things of God."  "What do you think about that?"  "Maybe you're not familiar with what God is trying to do in your life...." "Maybe you don't understand how God is pursuing you at this time in your life."  This whole idea of connecting  bad behavior with their spiritual condition brings God in the picture and it gives us an incredible opportunity to confront their spiritual life and make a huge impact on them.

1. Disruptive Talking during the meetings.

First of all, we are able to have a good time, joke, and have fun in our meetings; however, some students occasionally take it too far and wind up being disruptive during the meetings, causing distraction away from the Bible teaching.   In theses cases, we generally follow some progressive disciplinary steps.

Separate the disruptive students from their friends. Our workers are to conduct the disruptive students to another seat, away from their friends.

Even after being separated on any given week, if the student continues with the negative behavior, the student will be asked to leave the meeting and the adult worker will phone the parents/guardians to pick up them up early.

If, when the student returns the next time, s/he continues the disruptive pattern, they will be asked to leave Blow Out for at least a one month.

If , when they come back and cause further disruption, we put them in our 4' x 4' room called, "the Hole, for 2 weeks." Just kidding. Seriously, if they can't get it together, they will be suspended indefinitely. 

2. Drugs/Alcohol

If a student has possession,  we immediately report the incident to their parents and suspend them from Blow Out attendance for a period of time. In some cases, it may be necessary to call the police as well.

3. Leaving the premises

Many times students will want to leave the supervisory presence of adult workers so they can smoke, couple off, or just roam the streets. We can't allow this kind of thing because because parents are trusting us to be responsible custodians of their child and we can't be responsible when they have left the premises.   Therefore, students are not permitted to leave the premises during our meetings.   We don't want the students getting hurt or in trouble nor do we want to attract a costly law suit.  Again, if they do leave the premises, we have some progressive disciplinary steps.

First, they are given a two week dismissal from the Blow Out meeting.

If they offend again, they will not be permitted to attend the Blow Out for an indefinite period of time. 

4. Divisiveness that effects the unity

Arguing and contention is typical during this age and a certain amount should be tolerated. What should not be tolerated is when the fighting & contention begins to affect the overall unity & mission of the group. Even small pockets of division can have a major effect on the group, destroying the collective witness of the Body of Christ. When divisiveness occurs, it must be dealt with firmly, cautiously and with much prayer. Much of our divisions have been remedied by sitting both parties down and mediating the conflict. Resolution usually comes when both parties wind up genuinely owning some portion of problem and apologizing.

5. Physical fighting

Would you send your child to a meeting knowing there's a good chance s/he will get assaulted?  Not likely.   Parents need to know they are leaving their child in a safe environment. To that end, we don't permit physical fighting in our meetings or events.  To head this off, we let our students know the following:

We don't permit physical fighting

If they engage in physical fighting, they will be suspended from all of our jr. high programs for an indefinite period of time.

6. Sexual misconduct during meetings

We must stand strong here and remember our purpose in having a Christ-centered meeting. Is it to allow students to find a place where they can have all their immediate gratifications satiated? Is it a social club? Is it just an extension of their school life? No. The purpose is to effectively share the gospel of Jesus Christ with jr. highers and ground them in Biblical truth. We need to hold the line when students come with the selfish mentality wanting to couple off  and cuddle up in a dark corner.  Sorry, this isn't the place.

Our approach usually involves an adult leader finding the couple and explaining to them our policy and reasons. The couple is usually understanding and cooperative when we approach them with sensitivity and firmness. We've never really had the same students offend this issue more than once since the confrontation is embarrassing for them. We go easy with un-churched guests.

In addition, the Biblical view of sexuality is continually addressed during our jr. high meetings (Blow Out, Cell Group, JAM, Student Leaders) and it's stressed in our one on one time. We find that students are fairly receptive when they understand the reasoning behind God's views on this.  We have some excellent resources on this topic. Let us know if you could use some help.