Dress, Conduct, and “Nothing In, Nothing Out”

What You Will Learn

• Describe general dress code expectations for volunteers
• Follow common conduct norms inside a facility
• Explain contraband and the nothing in, nothing out principle
• Explain why one violation can end access for a whole ministry

Lesson Notes

Dressing for Ministry Inside

Every facility has its own dress code, and the volunteer office will give it to you. Common expectations include modest, loose-fitting clothing; no clothing that resembles resident or staff uniforms (some facilities restrict certain colors); closed-toe shoes; limited or no jewelry; and nothing that could be used to hide items. Some facilities restrict underwire, hooded clothing, or certain accessories because they set off metal detectors or create security concerns.

If you are unsure, ask before you go. A volunteer who is turned away at the gate for her clothing may cause a whole team's program to be cancelled that day. Write your facility's dress code here: ______________.

Conduct Norms

Titus 2:7 calls us to be a pattern of good works. Inside, everything you do is seen. Common conduct norms include:

• Arrive on time, sign in, and go only where you are authorized.
• Follow every staff instruction promptly and respectfully.
• Stay with your group and in sight of staff when required.
• Speak respectfully to everyone, residents and staff alike.
• Do not discuss residents' cases, charges, or release dates.
• Do not criticize staff or facility rules in front of residents.
• Keep physical contact within facility policy (some allow a handshake; some allow none).
• Bring concerns to the chaplain or staff, never to residents.

Contraband and “Nothing In, Nothing Out”

Contraband is any item not approved by the facility. It can be obviously dangerous, like weapons or drugs, but it can also be ordinary: a pen, gum, a stamp, a photograph, a phone, cash, a letter, or even a greeting card. The nothing in, nothing out principle means a volunteer carries nothing into the facility except what has been approved, and carries nothing out, including notes, letters, drawings, or messages for anyone.

Residents may ask for small things that seem harmless. Could you mail this letter for me? Could you bring me a pen? The answer is always a kind no. Jesus said, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much (Luke 16:10). Small exceptions erode trust and may break the law.

If you discover you carried something in by mistake, report it to staff right away. Honesty protects you; hiding it does not.

One Volunteer, Many Doors

Facilities grant access to ministries based on trust. When one volunteer breaks a rule, the facility may suspend her, her team, or the whole ministry, and residents lose the program. Your faithfulness keeps the door open for others. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake (1 Peter 2:13).

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Pack the Bag

Look at the list of twenty items your instructor provides (for example: car keys, Bible, gum, approved handouts, cell phone, cash, a resident's letter, ID badge, lip balm, photographs). Mark each In (allowed if approved by the facility), Out (leave in the car or at home), or Ask (check with the chaplain). Write one sentence explaining your choice for any item marked Ask.

Kind No Practice

With a partner, practice responding to five requests: mail a letter, bring in a pen, carry a message to a family member, make a phone call, and bring in a photo. Use the pattern: I care about you, and I can't do that. Here is what I can do. (For example, You can ask the chaplain about approved ways to send mail.)

Assignment: My Conduct Code

Write a one-page personal conduct code for your handbook:

• Your facility's dress code, or blanks to complete with the volunteer office: ______________.
• Eight conduct norms you will follow inside.
• The nothing in, nothing out principle in your own words, with three examples of items you will never carry.
• What you will do if you discover you carried something in by mistake.
• Titus 2:7–8 written out with one sentence of application.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Titus 2:7–8 asks us to be a pattern of good works so that no one has evil thing to say of you. What would it look like for your conduct inside to speak well of Christ and of the ministry? Which small rule might be hardest for you to keep?

Prayer focus: Ask God to make you faithful in small things, respectful to everyone, and a pattern of good works in every place you serve.

Faithful in the Small Things

Facility rules can seem very small: what color to wear, what to leave in the car, where to stand, when to sign in. But in a secure place, small things matter. A pen, a stamp, or a folded note can create pressure, debts, or danger for the people inside.

The nothing in, nothing out principle keeps it simple. You carry in only what the facility has approved. You carry out nothing for anyone: no letters, no drawings, no messages. When a resident asks for something that seems harmless, the answer is a kind no and a safe alternative: I can't do that, but the chaplain can tell you about approved ways to send mail.

Jesus said, He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much (Luke 16:10). The volunteer who keeps the small rules earns the trust that keeps ministry open. And when one volunteer breaks a rule, a facility may suspend a whole ministry, and residents lose the program they looked forward to all week.

If you ever discover you carried something in by mistake, tell staff right away. Hiding a mistake turns it into a bigger one. Honesty protects you and the ministry.

Think About It

1. Which small rule might be easiest to forget? ______________________
2. How will you respond to a request that seems harmless? ______________________
3. How does your conduct inside speak for Christ? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 2

Faithful in Little

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.— Luke 16:10 (KJV)

Small rules build big trust. Faithfulness in little things opens doors for others.

Reflect: What small thing deserves more care from you?

Pray: Lord, make me faithful in little.

Do: Check your pockets and bag before one outing today, as practice.

A Pattern of Good Works

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,— Titus 2:7 (KJV)

Others learn from what we do more than from what we say.

Reflect: What pattern are you showing others?

Pray: Lord, let my life be a good pattern.

Do: Do one task today exactly as instructed.

Decently and in Order

Let all things be done decently and in order.— 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)

Order is not coldness. It is how many people can be served safely.

Reflect: Where does order bring you peace?

Pray: Lord, bring order to my service.

Do: Arrive five minutes early to something today.

Nothing Hidden

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.— Luke 12:2 (KJV)

What is hidden comes to light. Honesty now is better than discovery later.

Reflect: Is there anything you need to bring into the light?

Pray: Lord, keep me honest in hidden things.

Do: Tell the truth quickly about one small mistake.

Without Offence

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.— Acts 24:16 (KJV)

A clear conscience is worth more than any shortcut.

Reflect: What helps you keep a clear conscience?

Pray: Lord, give me a conscience void of offence.

Do: Write down three items you will never carry in or out.