Messy Church volunteer role descriptions

The new DBS regulations (in other words, what used to be CRB) require churches to provide role descriptions for all volunteers. We thought it might be helpful to provide some sample suggestion role descriptions for Messy Church team roles that you can adapt to suit your own circumstances. These are only DRAFT versions – could you have a look through them, send them to your Safeguarding Officer if possible for their input and make any constructive criticisms in the Comments box so that we can eventually put up a final version that’s as useful as possible? You’ll find role descriptions for team members, core team members, kitchen team leader, kitchen team members and shoppers. Many thanks!

The role specifications are below or you can download a PDF.

Volunteer role title – Messy Church Team Member

Your role includes:

• Letting the planning team know your availability
• Reading emails to find out the theme, your activity and what you need to provide
• Helping set up the night before if possible
• Praying for Messy Church independently and when possible at the prayer meeting beforehand
• Welcoming families and chatting to them
• Leading your activity, sharing the story and helping families enjoy their time at your table
• Clearing up as much as you can
• Joining in the Celebration, leading it as required and encouraging families to participate OR clearing the tables and setting up for the meal
• Eating with the families
• Serving the meal if required
• Clearing up afterwards as much as possible
• Emailing in reflections to the planning team on how the session went and on any thoughts / stories / changes/ suggestions

Required for role:

• A love of Jesus Christ and a desire to share your faith with the families through actions and words
• A positive, cooperative, helpful, loving, forgiving attitude to team and families
• An understanding that it’s messy and will never be perfect
• DBS check (if required by your denomination)
• Safeguarding training

Desirable for role:

• Joining the Facebook page
• Attending periodic team training and socials
• Adaptability
• ‘Mucking in’ where needed
• A willingness to share your own ideas and limitations without fear of being judged

Your supervisor is: _____________
Date: __________________________

Volunteer role title – Messy Church Core Team member

Your role includes:

• Meeting to plan the sessions
• Helping source and prepare the materials and equipment
• Praying for Messy Church independently and when possible at the prayer meeting beforehand
• Letting the rest of the planning team know your availability
• Helping set up the night before if possible
• Welcoming families and chatting to them
• Leading your activity, sharing the story and helping families enjoy their time at your table
• Clearing up as much as you can
• Joining in the Celebration, leading it as required and encouraging families to participate
• Eating with the families and chatting with them
• Clearing up afterwards as much as possible
• Emailing in reflections on how the session went and on any thoughts / stories / changes/ suggestions
• Encouraging, affirming and inspiring the rest of the team

Required for role:

• A love of Jesus Christ and a desire to share your faith with the families through actions and words
• A positive, cooperative, helpful, loving, forgiving attitude to team and families
• An understanding that it’s messy and will never be perfect
• Ability to take responsibility and take the initiative
• Ability to soothe troubled breasts and build up the team
• DBS check (if required by your denomination)
• Safeguarding training

Desirable for role:

• Joining and contributing to the Facebook page
• Experimenting with initiatives to deepen discipleship
• Attending / organising periodic team training and socials
• Adaptability
• ‘Mucking in’ where needed
• A willingness to share your own ideas and limitations without fear of being judged

Your supervisor is: _____________
Date: __________________________

Volunteer role title – Messy Church Kitchen Team leader

Your role includes:

• Choosing the menu and advising the Messy Shopping Team
• Preparing and cooking the meal
• Organising the kitchen team
• Washing up
• Clearing up

Required for role:

• A love of Jesus Christ and a desire to share your faith with the families through actions and words and especially through food and hospitality
• A positive, cooperative, helpful, loving, forgiving attitude to team and families
• Ability to stay calm and kind under stressed conditions
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• DBS check (if required by your denomination)
• Safeguarding training

Desirable for role:

• Joining the Facebook page
• Attending periodic team training and socials
• A willingness to share your own ideas and limitations without fear of being judged

Your supervisor is: _____________
Date: _________________________

Volunteer role title – Messy Church Kitchen Team member

Your role includes:

• Working under the Kitchen Team Leader as required
• Preparing and cooking the meal
• Washing up
• Clearing up

Required for role:

• A love of Jesus Christ and a desire to share your faith with the families through actions and words and especially through food and hospitality
• A positive, cooperative, helpful, loving, forgiving attitude to team and families
• Ability to stay calm and kind under stressed conditions

Desirable for role:

• Joining the Facebook page
• Attending periodic team training and socials
• A willingness to share your own ideas and limitations without fear of being judged

Your supervisor is: _____________
Date: __________________________

Volunteer role title – Messy Church Shopper

Your role includes:

• Shopping for the food as advised by the Kitchen Team Leader and delivering it to church / fridge / freezer as appropriate

Required for role:

• A love of Jesus Christ and a desire to share your faith with the families through actions and words and especially through food and hospitality
• A positive, cooperative, helpful, loving, forgiving attitude to team and families

Desirable for role:

• Joining the Facebook page
• Attending periodic team training and socials
• A willingness to share your own ideas and limitations without fear of being judged

Your supervisor is: _____________
Date: __________________________