10/22/2026
TCOG PARENTS, STUDENTS & VOLUNTEERS — PLEASE READ!
I want to take a moment to explain something. Our rules are not about control, they are about protection.
We don't make rules just to make rules. We don't enjoy telling kids what they can't do. And we're certainly not trying to take the fun out of coming to church.
But what some people don't realize is that many of these rules were put in place because of things that have ACTUALLY HAPPENED.
Let me explain WHY we have these rules.
STUDENTS MUST REMAIN INSIDE THE BUILDING.
We've had students sneak out of the building without permission. When a parent drops their child off at church, they are trusting us to know where that child is and to keep them safe. We cannot protect a child if we don't even know they've left the building.
STUDENTS CANNOT LEAVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE WITHOUT PARENTAL PERMISSION.
Just because a student says it's okay to ride home with someone doesn't mean their parents have approved it. We are responsible for making sure children leave with someone their parents have authorized. This is about accountability and safety, not inconvenience.
NO GROUPS GOING TO THE BATHROOM TOGETHER.
We've had girls caught together in bathroom stalls. We've had boys attempting to enter the girls' bathroom. We've also dealt with va**ng and other inappropriate behavior. Bathrooms are not places to gather, socialize, or hide from supervision. These rules protect everyone's privacy and safety.
NO FOOTBALLS IN THE GYM.
We've had people struck by footballs and balls hit lights and other equipment. What some see as harmless fun can quickly become an injury or expensive damage. We want students to enjoy themselves, but not at someone else's expense.
NO CELL PHONES DURING SERVICE.
We want students engaged in worship, listening to the Word of God, and participating in what is happening. Church should be a place where they can disconnect from distractions and connect with God. There is a time for phones, but worship and teaching are not that time.
NO HORSEPLAY IN THE YOUTH OR CHILDREN'S CHURCH ROOMS.
We've dealt with fighting, roughhousing, disrespectful behavior, and inappropriate language. These rooms are places where we worship, teach, pray, and minister to children. They are not unsupervised playgrounds where anything goes.
HERE IS WHAT I NEED EVERY PARENT AND VOLUNTEER TO UNDERSTAND.
When you see a rule, you may only see an inconvenience.
But what you don't see is the incident that caused us to put that rule in place.
You don't see every conversation we've had with a student. You don't see every situation we've had to handle. You don't see every potential injury we've tried to prevent or every concern we've had to address.
And frankly, you shouldn't have to. Some situations involve children whose privacy deserves to be protected.
But please understand this:
WE ARE NOT MAKING THESE DECISIONS TO BE MEAN. WE ARE MAKING THEM BECAUSE WE CARE.
We love these kids. We want them to have fun. We want them to build friendships. We want them to look forward to coming to church every Wednesday night!
But above everything else, we want them SAFE, RESPECTFUL, and GROWING IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.
And to our volunteers, I want to say something with love: We need you helping us enforce these rules, not undermining them. When one adult enforces a rule and another adult ignores it or complains about it, it sends a confusing message to our students. We must stand together.
1 Corinthians 14:40 — "Let all things be done decently and in order."
Order is not the enemy of ministry. Sometimes order is what makes ministry possible!
We're not running a detention center. We're running a ministry. But ministry requires boundaries, accountability, and adults willing to lead.
We would much rather have someone upset with us over a rule than have to call a parent and explain why their child was hurt, went missing, or was placed in an unsafe situation.
So we're asking for your understanding, cooperation, and support.
You may not always agree with every rule, but please trust that there is a reason behind it.
We love your children too much to simply look the other way.
Our goal isn't to control kids. It's to protect them while pointing them to Jesus.
— Pastor David
