These are the ten standards to glorify God in your Awana clubs. The characteristics beneath each standard illustrate a well-run club and can serve as a pattern for your church's ministry.
1. We reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him.
Our hope at Awana is that all children and youth throughout the world will come to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. To realize this hope, leadership of each Awana club must share the gospel with clarity and urgency, and model a godly life.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. All Leaders are ready to present the gospel and know the steps to lead a child to Christ.
B. In weekly Council Time, there is clear, age-appropriate teaching on the plan of salvation and an opportunity to trust Christ as Savior.
C. Immediate follow-up takes place with clubbers who make decisions for Christ, reaching out to families when appropriate.
D. Directors organize special promotional efforts to bring unsaved children into club.
E. Clubbers and their parents hear a clear presentation of the gospel at special activities.
F. Leaders strive to reflect Christ-like character
in their lives.
2. We recruit, train and motivate leaders to serve the local church.
The effective operation of an Awana club will not only enhance
a church's outward ministry to its community, but also introduce and promote
the opportunity for individuals to serve the church through leadership in Awana
and other ministries. Serving in Awana fosters a strong commitment to God, church,
leaders and clubbers.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. All leaders have passed or reviewed the basic training test within the last 3 years.
B. Leaders are encouraged and motivated to participate in leadership conferences.
C. Leaders continue to develop through ongoing training.
D. At least once a month, club leadership meets to pray, plan and assign tasks.
E. Club Leadership supports the activities of the
local church as active members.
F. The pastor participates formally in a club activity at least once a year.
G. At least once a year, the entire club makes a presentation to the church celebrating what God has done through the club.
3. We use positive discipline throughout the entire club meeting.
God is a God of order, and we seek to reflect this part of His nature in Awana club meetings. A fun and exciting, yet orderly, atmosphere is the means to maximum impact in the life of a child, and also serves as a strong testimony to parents, neighbors and other community members.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. Clear and positive standards of behavior are established, communicated and applied.
B. Both leaders and clubbers are encouraged and motivated to wear their uniforms.
C. The opening ceremony begins on time, the club schedule is followed, and club finishes on time.
D. A system of positive points and special awards
is established to motivated good behavior.
E. The "five-count" is used consistently to control group attention.
F. The "three-count" is used with prudence and firmness for cases of individual rebellion.
4. We attract children with games and activities
Ask Children what they like about Awana, and chances are you'll
hear one answer; "The games!" There's a reason for that. Awana games are as
fun as they are unique, and - along with creative theme-based activities - they
keep children coming back to hear the gospel and learn Scripture.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. The Club year includes a variety of creative,
well-planned activities.
B. Club leadership promotes special activities in
advance to build anticipation.
C. Game Time is exciting and beneficial for all clubbers.
D. The game leader uses a variety of games, directs the flow of each game, and enforces discipline consistently.
E. Team leaders are familiar with the games, help to keep order, encourage clubbers and assist the game leader.
5. We encourage memorization, understanding and application of Scripture.
Scripture memory is a distinctive of the Awana ministry. Children
memorize God's Word in Awana, learn to understand an apply it, and see the benefits
of Scripture memory firsthand. Our focus on memorization, set in a positive
and encouraging context, also plants the seeds of this essential discipline
that many carry forward into adulthood.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. Club leaders always have their Bibles with them and try to see that every clubber has one.
B. Leaders help clubbers establish personal goals in order to complete their handbooks.
C. Clubbers display an understanding of the verses and apply biblical truths they have learned.
D. Leaders spend time with all clubbers as they work in their handbooks.
E. Leaders are encouraged and motivated to set an example by completing the handbooks.
F. All sections are passed by the Awana 2 helps standard.
6. We use the elements of Council TIme effectively.
While Awana is well know for games and a focus on Scripture memory,
it also provides a unique opportunity to lead children in worship and instruct
them in biblical truth. THis may be the only such experience some children have
each week! THese precious times or "rightly dividing the word of truth" are
amazing opportunities that should motivate Awana leadership to plan and prepare
diligently.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. Leaders sit with their clubbers during Council Time and encourage them to participate appropriately.
B. A continual and systematic plan of Council Time teaching is designed and applied, with messages clearly based on Scripture passages.
C. The age appropriate message is presented in a creative and varied manner that speaks to both the unsaved clubber and the young Christian.
D. Worship through songs, personal testimony and group prayer is taught and practiced.
E. Time is allowed for personal counseling before club is dismissed.
7. We motivate children though incentives.
Awana has developed a system of simple, yet effective, incentives
to motivate and encourage children in Scripture memory and handbook achievement.
These external motivators help children grow to a place where their own spiritual
maturity motivates them to learn and memorize.
Clubs Exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. Clear and precise goals and priorities are set for clubbers.
B. Progress toward club goals is evaluated and communicated regularly.
C. Earned awards are presented as soon as possible and displayed correctly.
D. Efforts and achievements are recognized with enthusiasm and praise in a public, personal and sincere manner.
8. We manage God's resources with faithfulness and integrity.
The resources entrusted to the leaders of an Awana ministry are
precious in God's sight. Club leadership has a responsibility to plan and organize
in such a way that people, their time, money and other resources are utilized
to maximum benefit. Through these efforts, club leadership heeds God's call
to be good stewards, and presents a testimony above reproach to those inside
and outside the church.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. The Pastor and Commander annually renew the Awana Ministry Agreement and the registration fee before the specified date.
B. A yearly budget, work plan and activity schedule are designed at the beginning of the year.
C. The secretary is encouraged to keep an up-to-date
record of awards, inventory and attendance.
D. Club leadership encourages all volunteers to make full use of their God-given talents and abilities and seeks to match them to the correct position.
E. Club leadership plans for the future, seeking
develop and train someone to take his or her place in the ministry.
F. Children are safe in the club environment.
9. We minister to parents and family members.
Awana is always about reaching children with the gospel, but it
must be about more than reaching children. In fact, focusing on families
of the unchurched children who attend can be a church's most effective outreach!
When family members observe how excited a child is about Awana, they notice
and often want to know more. Club leaders must be not only prepared, but purposeful,
about connecting with families and sharing the truth that motivated the ministry.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. When appropriate, club leadership contacts the homes of all clubbers, including absentees and newcomers.
B. Special activities are used to attract parents and relatives.
C. Parents are integrated into the teaching and learning process of their children when appropriate.
D. Family members are attracted to the ministry
through people showing genuine concern and love for their children.
E. The church experiences growth from the attendance of clubbers and their families.
10. We magnify the impact of our church's ministry through involvement with our Awana Missionary and International Ministry of Awana.
The immediate impact of the Awana ministry is on the local church,
but our hope is for a far greater impact. By developing a strong relationship
and good communication with the national Awana ministry, churches enhance their
effectiveness in reaching the world for Christ. Ministry efforts are strengthened
when talents, wisdom, blessings, and even struggles are shared with others.
Clubs exhibit this standard by ensuring that:
A. Club leadership participated in Awana activities
organized at the local, regional and national level.
B. Club leadership tries, as much as possible to encourage their church and club to prayerfully support their area's Awana ministry/missionary with funds and resources.
C. Club leadership encourages growth and development of other clubs, both locally and internationally. (adopt-a-club)
D. Club leadership communicated with the missionary
indication blessing,s needs, and challenges.