The Loft

We are so glad you have joined our team!  Here is some information that may be helpful as you serve. The Loft is for our 4th & 5th graders and the final elementary room before they promote to our Student Ministries.  Promotion to the next grade occurs in the summer, just before VBX.  During 4th and 5th grade kids can be silly, goofy, and yes, sometimes obnoxious. They are starting to change physically, emotionally, social and intellectually.  They are progressing from the need for concrete evidence to acquiring the ability to think reflectively and analyze complex concepts.  Their development has changed greatly since Kindergarten and now they are making strides in their competence. Be sure to engage in their interests at this age so they begin to trust God’s character and experience God’s family. The goal of our ministry in the Loft is to:

• Encourage kids to keep growing their Bible skills.

• Encourage next steps of baptism and communion if they have not already done so.

• Help them to grapple with their faith questions and start owning their faith.

• Give them skills to defend their faith and do the right thing even when others don’t.

Following are some guidelines for serving:

Arrival:  Please arrive 25-30 minutes before the start of service.   If you have a child that will be attending in another room, they can be checked in at the lobby and taken to their room if there are 2 adults or you can take them after regular check-in has begun. Be sure to grab your name tag, which will be on a hook in the Loft, and wear it to identify you in the ministry.

Check-in:  Kids will come to the room with their check-in tag in place.  Have one Team Member assigned to writing the child’s name in the Check-in Grid by the entrance door.  Please keep in mind ratios are 10 kids to 1 Team Member and we must have 2 non-related adults in the room before we can allow children in the room.

Lesson Plans:  Each weekend there will be a new Lesson Plan written specifically for the Loft.  Our Lesson Plans include Large Group time and then occasionally divides kids up into smaller groups.  If the group size is more conducive to keeping everyone together for that portion, please feel free to do so.

Supplies:  Supplies for the Lesson Plan activities should be on the counter on the check-in side of the room.  If supplies are missing, let a staff person know.

Hang Time:  The room is set up to allow kids to choose an activity when they arrive (ex. Pool Table, Air Hockey, craft activity) or they may choose to go over to just hang out with their friends.  During this time, the role of the team is to greet kids and help them transition into the room if needed.  If new kids arrive, help them get connected to other kids.

Large Group Time:  Each weekend the Large Group will be led by the “Lead Teacher”.  This time consists of a Large Group Game, Worship Songs, and the Large Group Teaching that is written out in the Lesson Plan.  The role of the additional team members at this time is to help kids stay engaged. Place yourself strategically in the room so you can observe where your presence or redirection might be needed.

Food:  We typically do not offer food in the elementary rooms, but there is a candy bin that is to be used at the discretion of the leaders.  This candy can be used as incentive for participation and to reward behavior. Note:  Food allergies are listed on children name tags. Please take a quick glance prior to passing out food items to reconfirm no one has allergies.

Bathroom:  There are bathrooms located in the room, one for girls and one for boys. Kids should not leave the room for any reason per our Safe Sanctuary policy.

Checkout:  Kids are to remain in the room until parents come in to pick them up.  One team member should station themselves at the “exit” door and Parents are then to take their child to that side of the room where they will match the parent tag to the child’s tag. If at any time you notice that a child has lost his/or her name tag, you may check the room roster to match with the parent tag.  IF the parent has lost their tag, please send the parent only to the front desk to do a manual checkout.  Please make sure the child’s tag is removed.  If the tag is still on the child it alerts our security team that the child may not have either left the room unnoticed or without a parent OR somehow not be with an approved parent/guardian. 

Some final thoughts:  Every week, you can expect some organized chaos. It is often loud and the kids have a lot of energy. There are lots of surprises. Each kid has a different story, which means they bring different strengths, emotions and behaviors to the room. Serving can certainly be challenging. On the flip side, every week you can expect that your presence allows you the unique privilege of impacting the children with a purpose. You get to meet them where they are and demonstrate God’s love to them. You get to speak spiritual truths so they begin to build authentic faith. You get to be another supportive adult in their life.  Most likely, you will not see the results of your efforts or how you have truly influenced them. Every once in a while, though, you get to see a child come to a moment of realization or take a next step. Be sure to take a picture of these moments in your mind so you can remember that EVERY time you serve, you most definitely are making an eternal investment.