Case Study #7 The Whistler Blower
Situation: At Third Church, the senior pastor has discovered that John (the church’s very popular Youth Director under whose direction the size of the youth ministry has doubled in the past 6 months) is involved in an inappropriate relationship with Susie, one of his youth group members. John, a 21-year-old college student has been working for Third Church for six months and started dating 17-year-old Susie a month ago. Though their relationship is a “secret,” Susie’s friends have been talking enough that now parents are aware of the relationship. When questioned, John’s response has been that Susie as almost 18 and just months away from graduating from high school. He suggests that people mind their own business when it comes to his private life.
The Solution: John’s supervisor needs to address the inappropriate relationship and John’s detrimental behaviors immediately. John may need to step down immediately. In addition to a clear job description, John will need to know the church’s child protection policy and embrace a youth leadership covenant, clarifying appropriate limits for all adults working with youth in the church. After understanding the clear conflict of interest and inappropriateness of his behaviors, John will need to choose to stop dating Susie or be removed from his job.
The Result: YMA can help Third Church in developing their own child protection policies and youth leader covenants to prevent ambiguity of expectations in the future. In addition, YMA can support the church leadership as they walk through the fallout of maintaining firm expectations (including perhaps termination) for their youth director. Should it be necessary, YMA can also provide support for the church in the transition between youth directors, including providing a variety of levels of assistance in the search process.
Additional Resources:
See a sample Youth Leader Lifestyle Covenant Form.
Contact us to schedule an assessment.
Read other case studies #1 #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7
Situation: At Third Church, the senior pastor has discovered that John (the church’s very popular Youth Director under whose direction the size of the youth ministry has doubled in the past 6 months) is involved in an inappropriate relationship with Susie, one of his youth group members. John, a 21-year-old college student has been working for Third Church for six months and started dating 17-year-old Susie a month ago. Though their relationship is a “secret,” Susie’s friends have been talking enough that now parents are aware of the relationship. When questioned, John’s response has been that Susie as almost 18 and just months away from graduating from high school. He suggests that people mind their own business when it comes to his private life.
The Solution: John’s supervisor needs to address the inappropriate relationship and John’s detrimental behaviors immediately. John may need to step down immediately. In addition to a clear job description, John will need to know the church’s child protection policy and embrace a youth leadership covenant, clarifying appropriate limits for all adults working with youth in the church. After understanding the clear conflict of interest and inappropriateness of his behaviors, John will need to choose to stop dating Susie or be removed from his job.
The Result: YMA can help Third Church in developing their own child protection policies and youth leader covenants to prevent ambiguity of expectations in the future. In addition, YMA can support the church leadership as they walk through the fallout of maintaining firm expectations (including perhaps termination) for their youth director. Should it be necessary, YMA can also provide support for the church in the transition between youth directors, including providing a variety of levels of assistance in the search process.
Additional Resources:
See a sample Youth Leader Lifestyle Covenant Form.
Contact us to schedule an assessment.
Read other case studies #1 #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7
