TOPC YOUTH MINISTRY GUIDING PRINCIPLES 
The primary servant of Christ, who will prayerfully oversee this ministry and adhere to these guiding principles, shall be the Pastor to Families with Youth. His ministry will be inclusive of each family unit as a whole. We hold these families as of special importance since theirs is the future of the church, yet not separate nor distinct from the unity of the church body.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the TOPC Ministry to Families with Youth is to assist, encourage, support, instruct, admonish and complement the parents of TOPC covenant youth [Colossians 1:28 & 3:16]. We seek to fulfill our purpose in the following ways:

Worship. Our highest goal for the youth of TOPC is that they will develop a deep appreciation for the ministry of God's Word;  a right participation in the sacraments of Christ's church, and prayer as the usual ways God brings  about growth in the Christian life. We want our youth to see private and public worship, as the priority for Christian living. In other words, we want to see our youth participating fully in the worship services, fellowship, and witness of the church. [John 4:23-25]

Teaching. God’s Word will be taught regularly and consistently to assist parents and equip our covenant youth to develop a biblical world and life view. We pray that these young men and women learn to think and live biblically in all areas of life.  [Deuteronomy 6:4-9]

Discipleship. There will be ongoing discipleship through age and gender distinct small groups where God's word is taught, discussed, and applied and where relationships are formed and strengthened. [Matthew 16:24-25]

Service in the Body. Young men and women have significant gifts and we want to see them discovered, nurtured, and used in the service of the Body of Christ to God's glory and praise. Youth oriented service projects are encouraged, however active participation of our youth first among the established adult ministries is of great importance to the perpetual unity of the church.
[Romans 12:6-8]

Church Unity. Preceded and inspired by persistent corporate and individual prayer, every effort should be made to effect the assimilation of our youth into the greater parts of the Church body whose head is Christ. Never at any time, neither by design nor inattention, shall the youth ministry become or reflect the image of a distinct church within a church. Further, the unity of the church shall be strengthened through the proper instruction of our youth in one accord with the congregation of the teachings of Matthew 18:15-17 and a readiness to receive admonishment as instructed in Proverbs 15:31-33.

WAYS AND MEANS
Parental involvement. Parents are welcomed, desired and are encouraged to help in teaching, discipleship and service in the TOPCYM.

Youth Group Volunteerism. Those who seek to serve as volunteers to the youth ministry should, in the spirit of submission, prayerfully adhere to the Spirit of our Lord’s instruction and example from John 13:14 “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

The authority of God’s holy Word is held in the highest esteem by TOPC in all areas including the TOPCYM. We also affirm the Westminster Standards as an accurate summary of the Bible's teaching, along with other Reformed confessions such as the Heidelberg Catechism.

Service. We fully expect that TOPC youth will be serving others in a variety of ways and will teach and model such.

Fellowship. The Christian life is fulfilling and is a source of great joy. We expect that the youth of TOPC will spend time with each other and “fellowship” not only around the word of God and service, but in a variety of enjoyable and fun ways.

Missions. The goals for the students of TOPC include taking part in the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). As such, our service will include outreach locally and globally as God gives opportunities.