1. I have placed my faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save me from my sins and lead my life.
2. I consider Crossroads Community Church to be my church home and consistently attend Sunday morning services in person.
3. I fully understand and support the mission, vision, and values of both Crossroads Community Church and RUSH Youth Group.
4. I understand that RUSH for small group leaders begins on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 (Fall Kickoff Dinner Meeting) and ends on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 (Legacy Night).
   1. I will attend all regularly scheduled RUSH Wednesday nights, all scheduled leader meetings, RUSHs Recharge Winter Youth Retreat (Jan. 19-21, 2024), and Legacy Night.
      1. In the event of a conflict or emergency, I will personally notify my co-leader(s), my RUSH coach as well as one of the RUSH Youth Group staff, with ample notice.
5. I understand that as a small group leader, my role is to come alongside parents in a partnership to spiritually shepherd their student(s). I will respect the boundaries of my role and the role of parents as the primary spiritual and authoritative leaders of their student(s).
6. I desire to lead students to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by teaching them biblical truths and by being an example to students by living my life in a way that honors God.
   1. If married, I will be a godly example by taking care of my own family first, honoring my spouse and meeting the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of my family.
   2. If single, I will honor God in my relationships and remain sexually pure and encourage students to do the same.
   3. As a small group leader, I will not drive alone or meet alone with any unrelated student of the opposite gender.
   4. I understand the expectation for believers to be individuals who display godly character and integrity while utilizing social media. I understand that WHAT I post and HOW I interact on my personal social media account(s) matters.
   5. I will not make inappropriate comments to or about students and I will guard myself against any actions that may be perceived as inappropriate.
      1. I will refrain from gossiping about students, leaders and/or RUSH Youth Group staff.
   6. (For females) I will dress modestly whether I am serving at RUSH or elsewhere.
      1. Please, no leggings worn on RUSH nights and/or at RUSH-related events.
      2. What is modest at the beach is not necessarily modest at the grocery store. If you need an example, think would Joanna Gaines wear this?  If in doubt, dont wear it! :smiling_face_with_closed_eyes:
7. I will make my personal relationship with God a top priority and will strive to grow spiritually and missionally while encouraging students to do the same.
   1. I am/will commit to being connected to Biblical community (ex: consistently attending a CCC LifeGroup, or being in an accountability/discipleship group, or attending 4:12 or some other avenue to live out Biblical community) so that I have the opportunity to be in an iron sharpens iron environment (Proverbs 27:17) and so that I do not lone ranger my walk with God.
8. I am willing to teach the small group lessons that are provided (or willing to learn HOW to teach), and I am willing to lead small group/cluster discussions on large group nights.
   1. I will commit to plan ahead so that I am fully prepared to lead a small group lesson or are prepared for leading a discussion following a large group lesson. Students know when leaders have not prepared. 
9. I understand the expectations outlined for this discipleship role that were communicated to me through onboarding conversations and/or reading through the RUSH Leader Handbook.
   1. I understand the reason that RUSH emphasizes 1:1 connection between leaders and students; as a result, I will commit to prioritizing 1:1s with the goal of having each consistently attending student in my small group will have a minimum of three 1:1s with me during the course of the school year.
   2. I understand the reason that RUSH emphasizes following up with students who miss a night at RUSH; as a result, I will commit to following up via text or phone call within 48 hours to any student (or parent if student doesnt have a phone and/or does not respond) in my cluster who misses a night of RUSH.
10. I understand and support the reasoning behind why RUSH serving team members are required to wear his/her RUSH serving team shirt on Wednesday nights; as a result, I agree to wear my gray RUSH serving team shirt every Wednesday RUSH night.
11. I will assume the best of each individual I come in contact with at RUSH and commit to resolving conflict in a biblical manner as outlined in Matthew chapter 18 by
    1. Assuming the best and praying for understanding and resolution
    2. Speaking directly and in person to the individual with whom the conflict exists before discussing it with others
       1. I will listen to fellow leaders and strive to see their perspectives on issues.
    3. Offering apologies and extending forgiveness
    4. If I am not able to reach a resolution one on one, I will elevate the conflict to my RUSH coach and/or a member of the RUSH Youth Group staff for help and I will keep the situation private.
12. I will keep all conversations with fellow leaders, students, and parents confidential.
    1. Conversations are kept confidential with the possible exception of when/if someone has communicated to you that he/she is hurting themselves, hurting someone else or is being hurt by someone, and/or that he/she is doing something that is illegal.
13. I understand that if at any time I am unable to uphold any part of this covenant I may be asked to lessen my involvement in this ministry, step back and take a probationary period while I work through things or be asked to step down from the ministry all together.

By typing my name below, I am providing my signature, indicating that I agree with all items outlined in this 2023-2024 RUSH Small Group Leader Covenant.