Governance: Youth Committee of Session

Some times the controlling council of a youth program is established by the Session or other official board. This, again, can take different forms depending on church size, traditions, and power structures. However, there will be at least one officer of the church on the committee, usually the chair of the committee and they will, at least nominally, appoint the rest of the committee.

• Pros:
  • They usually have real power and can make larger, more significant decisions.
  • They report directly to the Session or official board, also giving the committee more power and effect
  • They tend to have a more global focus and visions, setting overall youth ministry direction, creating or ending specific programs
  • They will be the ones recommending budgets to the official board
• Cons:
  • Their focus on bigger picture issues may mean that many details about the running of the youth program is left for others to implement
  • They can be distant from the youth program and not see some of the real issue that affect the program
• Working with an official committee
  • Official leader do not like surprises. Keep the chair and/or Elder informed about things that need to come before the committee
  • Help whoever is going to put the committee together have good and broad representation, especially of youth from the various programs
  • The committee needs to clearly establish who will do what for any actions and who will implement any programs or projects
  • Every month make sure there is a report of some sort to the official board. Even if there is nothing big to report, the Session needs to always be reminded of the youth program.
  • Have the Session representative report to the committee things that might affect the youth program
  • Work on budgets early and carefully. State budgets in terms of what is changed from the previous year and a justification for each change (plus or minus). Be specific.