Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outreach/Junior Youth Leadership

1. Be a Master Guide
You can download the requirements for becoming a Master Guide here: http://www.pathfindersonline.org/pdf/classwork/masterguide_recordcard.pdf

You should also contact your conference youth department to let them know that you are working on this. They may have resources to help you, and they commonly conduct the seminars required by the curriculum.

You may find additional resources at AdventSource. http://adventsource.org/search_2.aspx?search_type=all&search=master+guide&Image1.x=0&Image1.y=0

2. Read two books on junior youth leadership written in the last five years.
Of course you are free to choose any book on youth leadership you like, but here are some suggestions: Do you know of another good book? Add it!
 * Teaching the Faith: An Essential Guide for Building Faith-Shaped Kids by Donna J. Habenicht and Larry Burton, 2004
 * Fire Up! Youth Leader Guide, Group Publishing, 2006
 * Getting It Right: A Power-Packed Resource for Adventist Youth Leaders, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Youth Department, 2005
 * Lead the Way God Made You, Discovering Your Leadership Style in Children's Ministry, by Larry Shallenberger, Group Publishing, 2005
 * Out of the Shipyard, by Troy Fitzgerald. AdventSource, 2006

a. Junior Youth Group leader for one year.
Junior Youth Group is an ancient predecessor of the JMV Society that became the AYS, AJYS, and the Pathfinder Clubs of today.

Based on an older version of this Honor and newer trends it would be reasonable to say that Junior Youth Group is any officially organized local church youth group not otherwise defined in b - d.

This is a level 3 Honor so it is an adult Honor (age 17+) The 1980 version of this requirement was:
 * a. AJYS Superintendent or Associate Superintended
 * b. Junior or Primary SS Superintendent
 * c. Unit Counselor in a local AJYS
 * d. an officer in an Active Pathfinder Club

b. Junior or Earliteen Sabbath School leader for one year.
In most Adventist churches, this office is filled by the Ministry Development Committee (formerly called the Nominating Committee), and voted on by the church. However, if you are interested in fulfilling this requirement this way, make your willingness to serve known to your church leaders. Remember that if your church already has established leaders for these departments, they may not be willing to step aside. In this case, it may be better for you to explore other options. Remember that preserving good relations with other people is far more important than earning this honor.

c. Staff member in an active Pathfinder club for one year.
Talk to your club's director about volunteering. Rare is the club that has too many staff!

d. Staff member at a summer youth camp for a full summer.
This option is especially good for college students. Contact your conference youth director or apply at a summer youth camp.

4. Prepare a group to be invested in one of the Adventist Youth/Pathfinder classes during the current year and assist in conducting the Investiture service.
In order to meet this requirement, you must be a staff member of a Pathfinder organization. Volunteer to serve as a counselor for one of the AY classes (Friend, Companion, Explorer, Ranger, Voyager, or Guide). There are many factors that contribute to your effectiveness as an AY counselor. Above all, you should love the Lord and show that by unconditionally loving the Pathfinders in your care. This means that you will be prepared for each meeting and that you will arrive on time. It helps tremendously to make out a plan for the whole year before you start. This will ensure that you do not have to teach several major requirements in the last few weeks before Investiture. Spread those out and work on them throughout the year.

a. Ten ways to prevent having to discipline

 * 1) Have a plan for every minute of your Pathfinder time.
 * 2) Make thorough preparations for every meeting
 * 3) Establish standards of conduct and communicate them to your club
 * 4) Make friends with your Pathfinders
 * 5) Allow your Pathfinders to participate in decision making
 * 6) Keep a sense of humor
 * 7) Do not use sarcasm or ridicule
 * 8) Acknowledge faults when they come to your attention, but avoid looking for them
 * 9) Be fair.  Avoid unequal treatment or having "pets".
 * 10) Maintain self-control and practice patience

b. Nine ways to have balanced discipline

 * 1) Establish fair rules and regulations
 * 2) Set up and use a point system.
 * 3) Put your rules and regulations in writing
 * 4) Enforce the rules and regulations.
 * 5) Apply the rules consistently.
 * 6) Make only a few carefully considered rules.
 * 7) Present a devotional on discipline, explaining the Pathfinder Pledge and Law.  Remind your Pathfinders that they have agreed to abide by the Pledge and Law.
 * 8) Counsel and pray with your Pathfinders before administering disciplinary action.
 * 9) Counsel and pray with unsupportive parents.
 * 10) Explain club discipline to parents.  They are more likely to support you if they understand what you are doing.

c. Five types of discipline

 * 1) Subtract points using the point system
 * 2) Suspend privileges at meetings
 * 3) Remove rank or office (captains, scribes, guidons, color guard)
 * 4) Reduce privileges at campouts
 * 5) Dismiss from club for a period of time

d. Five discipline procedures

 * If the Pathfinder is uncooperative or disobedient:
 * The counselor should calmly talk to the Pathfinder
 * Explain that members of the Pathfinder club are expected to uphold standards of behavior
 * Privately counsel and pray with the Pathfinder (this should be done out of earshot, but within sight of others).


 * If the Pathfinder continues to be uncooperative or disobedient:
 * Bring in a second staff member to talk with the Pathfinder. This should be the deputy director.
 * Explain that the Pathfinder is in violation of the Pathfinder Law (be courteous and obedient).
 * Pray with the Pathfinder


 * If a third session is required:
 * The counselor, deputy director, and director should meet with the Pathfinder.
 * This should be done privately.
 * Explain the importance of unity and cooperation
 * Be sure the Pathfinder knows how serious the situation is
 * Pray with the Pathfinder
 * Arrange to meet with the parents and the Pathfinder


 * If misbehavior continues:
 * The counselor, deputy director, and director meet privately with one another.
 * The parents are informed that the Pathfinder must sit out of all Pathfinder activities for one month.
 * A staff member visits the Pathfinder at home during the suspension period.


 * If misbehavior continues after the Pathfinder comes back:
 * Repeat the first three steps outlined above.
 * If stage four is reached a second time, the Pathfinder is suspended from the club for a longer period of time - perhaps for the remainder of the year.