Explanation of Standards for Certification
These standards are meant to be flexible. Each local ministry
is free to interpret them in such a way that they will be most
helpful for their own ministry. Following are some guiding thoughts
for each one.
I took Peer Ministry training!
Minimum of 20 to 30 hours.
The important thing here is not the hours, but that you feel
your participants are equipped for their ministry. In all honesty,
training will be ongoing. Like any skill, people try them, taking
a couple of steps forward and sometimes one or two backwards.
As a facilitator, you get to help participants grow in the midst
of success and some disappointments.
I'm practicing the skills!
Minimum of 20 to 30 hours supervised by your trainer.
Again, it's not the hours that are important but that the participants
"get it." As the facilitator, you want to know that
your participants are using their skills outside of the training
sessions. We suggest using the journal Educating
the Heart Day by Day as a great way to encourage students
to use what they are learning. You may want to set up some practical
projects such as visiting a nursing home, a children's home,
pairing youth up with Junior High kids or with older adults
to discuss a topic.
Ask your youth to identify and observe someone they see every
day who may seem lonely or without friends. After a week's observation,
encourage them to find out as much as they can about that person.
Pray for that person. Plan a time and a way to meet that person
using the WHEAT skills.
Check in often. Ask how these skills are becoming practical
at home, in the neighborhood, with friends, at school, at work
and at church?
I'm modeling leadership in my Church!
Actively involved in my church or group.
You may interpret this as it best fits your ministry. For
some it may mean church membership. Other groups may have Peer
Ministers that come from outside the church family.
I'm living out the standards of my
group!
Maintain a ministry within a code of expectations
As defined by your group and its mission
Various critical factors come into play when one acts as a
helper to another with a problem. Consider:
Motives
Methods
Expectations
The one with the problem is vulnerable. Suggestions, advice,
even kindness and caring take on a heightened meaning. As the
one to whom the person has turned for help, you are given a
lot of power to influence this person. Power results from what
is entrusted to you in information, and the revealing of weaknesses
and emotions normally kept private.
MOTIVES
Motives must be honest, totally focused on the welfare and safety
of the person. It is unethical to use another to feel needed,
to get recognition for yourself, or as a social companion when
one is needed.
METHODS
The methods used to help must be appropriate to a person's training
and expertise, and never present potential danger or emotional
harm to another. A Peer Minister does not have the credentials
of a professional counselor. Situations beyond the scope of
experience or training must be referred to those with appropriate
expertise. A Peer Minister's most critical task may be to serve
as a bridge between the person seeking help or in need of help
and a professional resource.
Emotional Issues
Never use dating as a method for helping a person. Be very sensitive
to emotional attachments that might be emerging between yourself
and someone you are helping. Even though you may be flattered,
this is not ethical. Be direct with the other person about the
boundaries and purposes of the relationship. Only under completely
different circumstances might a "romantic" relationship be appropriate.
At any time that you feel an emotional attachment to the one
you are trying to help, evaluate your need. Emotional attachment
distorts one's ability to be objective, and may contribute to
the person's problem. It may be helpful to refer the person
to another Peer Minister.
Law regulates certain issues. Each church or organization needs
to check the laws in their own area. While legally it may be
hard to determine if a youth Peer Minister is considered to
be a mandatory reporter, churches need to set up their own guidelines
and resource people so that Peer Ministers know who to turn
to when help is needed. The following issues must be reported.
Sexual or physical abuse.
Suicidal plans or attempts.
Possession of illegal weapons or intent to harm.
When encountering such issues in working with someone, legally
you are required to report them to someone in authority. If
you anticipate that any of these issues may be involved when
someone comes to you, or when working with a group, inform the
person or group before they divulge such information that may
you may have to report it.
Referrals
Always have ready people to call and resources to contact when
concerned about another and/or your ability to help. Never feel
you will be a bother or it is not right to contact someone.
Those who talk of harming another, personally destructive behavior,
including suicide, drug usage, exaggerated plans or what may
be determined as "out-of-touch" reality, must get professional
care. Never think you can help in these conditions, other than
by getting the person professional help. In dealing with a legal
minor, never make a referral to a counselor without a parent
or guardian's consent or with legal authorization.
Each Peer Ministry group will want to set their own standards.
Take into consideration the tasks involved and the people the
Peer Ministers will be in contact with. Each group will need
to consider their own faith traditions and expectations.
Two primary considerations:
1. Obligations as positive role models to others.
Examples may include:
- worship attendance
- drug and alcohol use
- attending parties where alcohol or drugs are in use
- inappropriate language
2. Disciplines the group desires and needs to carry out their
tasks.
Examples may include:
- prayer for each other
- daily devotional
- Bible study as a group
- spiritual growth retreats
I have made a difference!
Reflect on how Peer Ministry has changed
you.
(How has Peer Ministry affected you as a person? You may want
to reflect on attitudes, faith, sense of purpose, your hopes
for the future.)
Reflect on how your skills and ministry
has touched others.
(How has Peer Ministry affected your relationship with others?
This may include: Family. Friends. Neighborhood. Schoolmates.
Church. People you work with. Strangers.)
Facilitators please note:
Sometimes the hardest task will be getting a youth to sit down
and write.
Try asking someone (a parent, an adult leader or other church
member) to interview the youth and write it up for them. (This
would be a great way to let adults learn more about youth and
their ministry.)
We prefer you use our website to email your reflections to us.
This makes it easy to pass on to board members for reading. It
may also be faxed or mailed.
Click HERE to go directly
to the on-line application.
