Welcome to Bus Ministry!
The
job you just volunteered for is both exciting and rewarding. It's not always easy and it tends to be a
lot of work. We ask that if this is
your first time in this ministry you give us three weeks before you make a
final decision to be or not to be involved - that way you know what you are
truly in for in both challenges and victories.
Your commitment is for a full year, so pray diligently - those that stay
and leave in a lesser timeframe only hurt the children by developing a
relationship and disappearing like so many others in their lives tend to
do. If you do decide to commit, we
assure you your efforts will prove very worthwhile. We do understand that people need time off
for family activities, illness, and simply for rest, so each bus worker is
allowed eight weekends a year to be absent.
All we ask is that each worker be dependable and considerate, and call
to let us know you will be absent with as much notice as you can.
This
packet is meant to cover just about every issue you could face as you work with
us. It is not meant to overwhelm you
but to train and prepare you for the job ahead. If you take the time to study and learn, you'll know just what to
do, most of the time, and your hands and heart will be free to love and
minister to the children rather than worry about details.
(By the way, questions,
comments and suggestions to improve are always welcome!)
Standing
Standing
on a moving bus seems simple enough until the bus stops quickly or turns in a
hurry. The idea to safely standing is
to lock your feet behind the seat legs and always hold on with at least one
hand. If you keep your knees slightly
bent, they will absorb any bumps in the road and it will be easier to keep your
balance. Also, if you can always have
part of your body in the space between the seats instead of standing fully in
the isle, you can use the seat backs to help support you.
Walking
Walking
uses the same principles, but since you cannot always have both feet on the floor
braced for support, you will need to hold on with both hands. Be aware of the road - try to walk when you
know there aren't traffic lights, large bumps or curves up ahead, always having
a plan for if you need to sit in a hurry to avoid a fall. That way you won't accidentally end up in
someone else's lap. If an emergency
stop occurs, try to lean between seats, so the seat backs will stop your
forward movement. Landing on a child's
feet is better than going through the windshield!!!
Spotting
If
you are called upon to "spot" for the driver, quickly make your way
to the back of the bus. Your job will
be to watch as the bus backs up, and communicate with the driver if the bus
needs to turn, straighten out or slow down.
Be aware of all objects around the bus so you can warn the driver if you
see you are getting too close to something.
Watch on all sides and don't forget that tree limbs can be a
hazard, too!
Treats
Usually
there is some kind of treat or drink each week on the bus ride home. Drinks are handed out as the kids get on the
bus to go home, and drink bottles collected as the kids get off the bus at
their stops. This way we can be sure
that everyone receives a drink and that all the bottles are accounted for at
the end of the day. Please have
everyone hold on to their cups until their appointed stop - it's much easier to
keep track of each of the bottles that way.
(Also note, please be sure lids are tightly closed when put in the bin
so that any remaining liquid does not spill and create a sticky mess.)
Treats
are handed out after everyone is on the bus, accounted for, and we've had a
chance to pray over the food - usually as we pull out of the parking lot. It's best to assembly line the treats to the
back of the bus and work your way, row by row, to the front - that way everyone
gets a treat and no one gets overlooked or double treats. Once all the kids have a treat, the workers
may also have one. When the workers
have finished their treats, it will be time to begin cleanup. One worker should be walking the aisle with
a garbage bag to collect trash, while another offers paper towels or napkins if
necessary. If the kids will be getting
seconds on the treats, the navigator shall be responsible to give them to the
children as they exit the bus. When all
the kids are home, if there are enough treats, the workers may have more if
they so choose.
Injuries
Injured
children have trouble listening and obeying.
If there is an injury on the bus, workers may use items in the first aid
kit to alleviate the problem. (Be sure
to have the navigator take note of what you used so the kit can be
restocked.) If the injury occurred
before we picked the child up and does not seem to pose an immediate need, we
request you keep the supplies for a more appropriate situation. (I.e. - "I
got a bug bite yesterday, can I have a Band-Aid?" - If the bite is not
bleeding, no Band-Aid is needed.) Also,
sanitary napkins are available for unprepared young ladies in Pastor Darin's
office - see Mrs. Angie for that situation.
Special note: We do not give medicine to any person for any reason - no
Tylenol, aspirin, cold medicine - nothing.
This applies to workers and children.
Because of sensitivities to medicines these days, we cannot make any
exceptions. If a person is in immediate
need of medicine, their parent should be contacted to supply it. If you bring medication, you are the only
one who can take it. Workers sharing
medication with each other is also not permissible.
Vomit, Blood, Urine, and
Body Fluids
Along
with the first aid kit on each bus is a spill kit. This kit is for the cleanup of bodily fluids (i.e. - urine,
vomit, etc.). If you should need this
kit, first be sure the person causing the spill is okay, and then remove those
around that person from the situation.
Second: INFORM THE ADULT IN
CHARGE! The rubber gloves are for
your protection (to keep your hands clean since you can't wash them on a moving
bus, and also to keep any germs or disease out of your system). Put
them on! Begin by containing
the spill with kitty litter, and let the adult in charge transfer the mess into
a plastic bag using the broom and dustpan Use the spray bottle and clean paper
towels to clean the area that was contaminated and then put those paper towels
into the plastic bag. Be aware of any
body fluids on the child. If the child
is covered in vomit, try to give them some paper towels to wipe themselves
off. Be sure any towels used go into
the plastic bag. Remove your gloves,
turning them inside out as you remove them, place them into the plastic bag,
and tie the bag off. Then throw away the plastic bag, put the spill kit up and
use the antibacterial gel to treat your hands.
Be sure the navigator takes note to restock the spill kit, and that the
parents are notified of the problem. Do
your best to be sure the person is also cleaned up as best as possible and that
the seat they were sitting in is also cleaned once all children have exited the
bus.
If
a child has a bowel movement, inform the “adult in charge” immediately. The A.I.C. will then make a decision on
whether to return the child home immediately, or make other arrangements. After child is removed from bus, the A.I.C.
will need to clean the seat with cleaning solution. BE SURE TO WEAR GLOVES while
cleaning seat.
Bus Break Downs
If
the bus breaks down, the main thing is to keep the children occupied while a
solution is in progress. The navigator
and driver will determine if it's a simple fix or if they need to contact
Pastor Darin and will do what is appropriate.
Other workers should calmly explain what happened to the kids and then
lead in songs, games or something the kids will enjoy to pass the time until
either the bus is back on the road or until other transportation arrives. The kids should stay on the bus during the
entire process to minimize confusion and risk.
There is always someone who chooses that time to express a need to use
the restroom. Explain that you will not
be sitting there long and have them just hold it until you reach your
destination. If it is truly a potty
emergency then do your best to find a safe place nearby for the child to be
relieved and follow the same procedure you would use if the child needed to go
during Children's Church. Be sure it is
truly an emergency before you let them go because all the children will get the
same idea if you let one go. The main
thing is to keep the kids minds off the problem - keep them occupied with fun
things to do.
Evacuating the Bus
If
there is a need to evacuate the bus, all workers should be aware of all
emergency exits. The main worker in
charge will announce the evacuation plan to the children (ie - "Listen
up! Everyone in front of Suzy go out
the front door, everyone behind Billy go out the back door right now. Move!") At that point all workers should help the children exit the bus
in a CALM but quick fashion. Then the
kids should be brought away from the bus and out of the flow of traffic to a
safe place until the navigator and driver announce the plan from there. REMAIN CALM - Any panic displayed by workers
will only be magnified in the children.
As soon as the children are in safety and a headcount has been done to
be sure everyone is accounted for, create something fun to do that will remind
them that the situation is under control and assure them that everything is
okay. REMAIN CALM AT ALL TIMES.
Rules
The
rules of the bus are very simple.
Basically the kids are allowed to enjoy the ride as long as they are not
being destructive or disrespectful.
Disrespect should not be shown to other children, workers or the
Lord. The children need to be seated
for their own safety during the entire ride.
Seat changes, within reason, are acceptable but only during a stop that
involves people getting on or off the bus.
Gum is no longer allowed because of the amount of gum that we've had to
scrape off the seats and floors. The
only other strictly enforced rule is that, unless it is announced to the
navigator as the children enter the bus, everyone gets off at the same place
they got on the bus. Anyone not riding
the bus home needs to be checked out by the navigator as they leave with their
appointed guardian at the end of church.
All
rules apply to workers and children alike except the rule to remain
seated. Workers are required to stand
and move around in order to fulfill their job descriptions.
If
there is a problem with someone who cannot seem to follow the bus rules, the
workers need to remind that person of the rules. If they do not comply immediately, the consequence is to move the
offender to the front of the bus. If
they still do not comply, that person gets to sit in a seatbelt (or with a
worker if there are no seatbelts available).
If the problem continues, the child will be warned that the next step is
to contact their parents. If they still
refuse to obey, then parents will be contacted. If the problem is very serious, the child should be taken home
immediately (if you are on the ride to the church) or be suspended from riding
the bus for no more than three weeks (if you are already on the way home). The other workers, the worker in charge and
Suspenderman are always available for help in a situation that is beyond a
single worker's ability to solve.
Discipline
Discipline
will not be effective if it is not done consistently, without favoritism, and
if you do not speak with authority.
When correcting a problem, do so with a calm authoritative tone, fully
expecting the person to comply. Do not
get frustrated or overwhelmed. Do not
argue with the child. Simply correct
the problem with the discipline procedures above. It is your job to correct problems, but not to take them
personally. When you need to speak with
a parent, simply state the situation, what was done to correct it, the results,
and then ask for their help. You want
to use the same approach as when you talk to a parent about a problem with
their child during Children's Church.
You’re just doing it in the home after the fact, so there is no need to
feel intimidated.
Special Outings
When
there are special outings, all of the normal procedures and rules apply. Bus workers should help non-bus workers to
become familiar with bus procedures, but the only changes in effect will be
those announced by Suspenderman before you leave on the outing. Also, make sure all attendance and
headcounts are triple checked every time.
It is much easier for a child to be distracted and left behind in an
unfamiliar situation than in the usual church setting.
Saturday
Be
at the church, seated at the table and ready to leave on ministry promptly at 8
am. Breakfast will be ready to eat
beginning at 7:30 am if you need that extra time to be prepared. During breakfast, Pastor Darin will lead in
devotions. This is a special time meant
to edify and prepare you for ministry – it does not replace your personal time
with God – come prayed up!
Following
breakfast and devotion time, you will break up in teams to minister, grab your
clipboards and leave. Please try to get
out to the field as quickly as possible – families leave their homes on
Saturdays around 10:30 so it is important we get there early.
While
you are out on visitation, you should be familiarizing yourselves with the route. Every worker will be expected to know his or
her route forwards and backwards, so it is important to take this time to
learn. When you get to the doors, there
should be two workers present at all times.
Never get more than one arm’s length away from your partner. Always leave the vehicle to talk with the
children – even if it means you simply stand and close the door behind
you. An adult or teen talking to a
child from inside a vehicle looks bad – you could be a drug dealer, kidnapper
or who knows. It is much more
effective in reaching the parents and community who are secretly watching you
to simply get out of the car before interacting with the kids.
During
your visit, you should ask the child or parent how things are going this
week. Make sure there is not a need
that we can address or pray about. If
there is, be sure to do whatever is necessary right away (ie- Johnny’s little
sister is sick? Don’t just write it
down, pray right there!) Next, cover any special needs marked on your clipboard
that need to be addressed with that family.
Then share what events are on the flier and what times the bus will
come. Also, take time to ask if the
child knows any friends that they would like to invite to go to church. We want to leave the window open to reach
new families and word of mouth is our best chance! When you are finished, go on to the next stop. It is very important not to spend too much
time at any one house – it actually works AGAINST the kids coming the next
day. Go in, do what needs to be done,
get out. The time to really talk and
visit with the kids is on the bus on Sunday.
When
all visits have been made, make your way back to the church to help with setup
and other miscellaneous helps. Please
plan to be at the church until about 1 PM every Saturday. (Note:
8 – 1 includes lunch time. Be
sure to bring money or a bag lunch if you will want to eat. Thanks!)
Sunday
Be
at the church at 7:45 am, dressed and ready to go or to do whatever needs to be
done. Before the busses leave, they
need to be stocked with buckets, garbage bags, paper towels and the first aid
and spill kits need to be ready to go (inventories of each enclosed in each
container). Clipboards should be
assembled appropriately, wakeup calls done, Children's Church ready to go, and
Suspenderman consulted to see if there is anything else to do before the busses
go. If everything is done and there is
still time, take that opportunity to get some praying done!
When
you arrive at the church, you are responsible to check the clipboards for your
route and to be on the bus at the appropriate load up time. We should not have to seek you out to say it
is time to go. Instead, we should find
you ready and on the bus. All bus
workers are required to be in uniform (if you want to dress up for church,
bring separate clothes to change into after you get off the bus) including
worker shirt (tucked in!), appropriate pants/slacks or jeans or skirt and
comfortable but nice looking footwear.
All workers are required to wear a watch – if you do not have one, you
may borrow a Mr. Potato Head watch for the day, but be sure to return it after
you get off the bus in the afternoon so it will be available again next week.
When
everyone is loaded up on the bus, we will pray over the route as a group and
then pull out. Each worker will have an
assigned job to do (covered below) but there are a few things that every worker
on the bus should be doing:
First
and foremost – love the kids. Take time
to talk with them. This is not social
time for the workers. This is the only
time we get to spend one on one with the kids without structured activity. Take advantage of it! Find out their hobbies, fears, quirks, etc.
– really get to know them. This is the
time where you make an impact the most.
Use it! The children’s Pastor
has too many children to disciple, to take much time one on one, or to share
his personal walk with Christ. You can. This is why you are a Bus Pastor, not just a
worker. You have two hours before and
after each service n which to do as Jesus did, and talk one on one to a child
about the Kingdom of God, to help them see how God would have them do something
or handle a problem. Spread out and minister to the children. (Note: “minister to” does not mean “act
like” – do not get involved in petty arguments and childish behavior. We are called to love them and be role
models for them.)
Other
responsibilities include being alert to what is going on around you. Watch the other kids for potential problems,
keep an eye on where we are in the route, know what is going on, and be
available for help if needed. All
workers should know how to do all jobs – this includes navigating the route if
needed. Know where you are and where
you are going in case you are called upon to help. Another biggie - be responsible for discipline – if you see a
problem, correct it immediately.
Discipline carried out consistently, swiftly and without favoritism will
keep problems to a minimum and keep your hands free for ministry!
When
you get to the church, help the kids get off the bus and into the Children's
Church as smoothly as possible. Make
sure each child has the opportunity to go to the bathroom and get a drink
before service begins and that each child makes their way into service and not
into mischief. At this point, your
normal Children's Church worker responsibilities take over.
At
the end of service, when you notice Suspenderman getting ready to dismiss,
please quietly slip out the back to be sure the busses are ready to go before
the children get to them. Make sure the
days treats or drinks or whatever are ready to go, all bus windows are open if
it’s hot (closed if it’s raining or cold) and that nothing else needs to be
done.
When
the children are dismissed, half of the workers should be on the bus for
discipline and seating help, while the other half are helping the kids load up
(check in, hand out drinks, point the way to the appropriate bus, etc.)
When
everyone is loaded up, you will continue in the responsibilities you had
earlier in the morning for the ride home.
Once again, take time to minister.
Some children may approach you with questions about the sermon. Be prepared to explain, teach, and pray with
a child who God is dealing with. As
stated before, the children’s Pastor can not do individual follow up on each
child who responds to an alter call, but you may. Be ready.
Once
everyone has been dropped off, workers should be sure the bus is swept, windows
are closed, seats are empty, garbage is out, bus is restocked and parked and
ready to go out for the next group. All
workers are to remain on the bus until every job is taken care of. At that point you are free to relax and do
whatever you need to do for the afternoon.
Lunch is usually provided once both bus teams are in and finished. If you choose to remain at the church until
evening service, please do so respectfully (this is the Lord’s house!).
Specific Job Descriptions:
Driver
The
Driver’s responsibility is to drive the bus safely. You will be responsible to communicate with the navigator so you
know where to go and to wait at each stop in the afternoon to see that each
child gets into their home okay. Other
than that, your responsibility is to the road and the bus. You will be contacted to know what time your
bus will leave in the morning and will be requested to return to the bus at
12:40 pm to drive the children home after church.
Runner
The
Runner’s responsibility is to see that every door is knocked on and every child
has an opportunity to ride the bus. When
we arrive at a stop, you will be ready to run from the bus to the door, invite
the kids and escort them safely onto the bus.
If no one answers the door right away, knock again and count to ten. If there is still no answer, go on to the
next stop. If the children are not
ready, ask if they can hurry to be ready in less than 5 minutes. If they can, signal the driver about how
much time they need. The bus will
either leave and return after doing more area stops, or wait there. Either way, if there is a way to get the
children to ride, we will accommodate them.
If
there is a stop where you need to run beyond the bus driver’s view, be sure to
take a running partner and keep within arm’s length of your partner at all
times. During these stops, it is especially
important to move quickly. Kids on a
non-moving bus are harder to keep under control, so the bus cannot sit still
long! These stops will also need
afternoon running pairs to escort the kids home. Be prepared to do so.
If
you are dropping children off and you come to a place where the parents are not
at home, you are responsible to go to the door and knock again loudly in case
they are sleeping or didn’t hear the first time. If there is still no answer, escort the children back onto the
bus and have the navigator mark down to return to the house at the end of the
route. If you return and there is still
no one home, the bus will return to the church and you will be responsible for
bringing those children to Suspenderman for further help.
Visitor Signin Person
(Note: Must be able to write legibly!)
Most
of the time your responsibility will be as a general bus worker, but you will
need to keep an eye on the kids as they enter the bus. Anyone you don’t know should be checked out
as a potential visitor. You will have a
clipboard with visitor forms and red tickets to be filled out and handed out as
appropriate. Be sure to get as much
information as possible and to prod for answers if needed (ie- “I don’t know my
address.” You say, “Do you know the
street? The city?”). If you can’t
understand what they are saying, please ask them to spell the last name, street
name or what ever for you. Get as much
information as you can – without it we can’t follow up! If all else fails, ask the person who brought
them for help.
You
are also responsible for prayer requests.
If the children have one they will be referred to you to write it
down. Once it is on the prayer request
slip, bring it to the navigator so that it can be turned in to Suspenderman
before Children's Church begins. When
you arrive at the church, bring your clipboard to the signup table and leave it
there.
Also,
since you know who the visitors are, you will be responsible for helping them
find their way today. Help them to know
what is going on, make them aware of any rules that you see they aren’t aware
of BEFORE they get in trouble for doing something they don’t know is not
allowed. Introduce them to a couple of
other children so they can make friends and feel comfortable. If you see a need, fill it. You are the visitor’s best friend.
Navigator
The
navigator has the most intensive job of all.
You are responsible for communicating directions and special situations
to the driver, keeping track of who is on the bus and who is not, making sure
each hand gets stamped, counting the children to make sure your notes match the
actual numbers there. You are
responsible for making sure all of your kids are accounted for before take
home, for signing out anyone who leaves early or with someone else, for making
“to do” notes as given to you by the other workers (ie- we need more paper
towels next week, or the battery is running low, or Suspenderman needs to have
a talk with Jimmy about hitting…). You
are responsible to see that each child gets into their home okay in the
afternoon before you go on to the next stop and for coordinating the other
workers' efforts as necessary. You are
the administrator on the bus. Because
you have so much responsibility, you have the option of delegating jobs out to
other workers, as they are available, but please note that you are still
responsible to see that those jobs get done.