Parents & Youth Ministry
When
youth reach high school age, we generally do not involve the
parents in
youth ministry. In our Western culture, we have chosen to separate
age groups
for learning and this is most obvious in our schools and churches.
Now we are
asking ourselves, how can we find ways to integrate the generations?
Perhaps
we need to begin to look at ways to minister to youth in cooperation
with their
parents. If parents, family and home life occupy the primary
sphere of
influence for young people, then it only makes sense for us
to connect
with and partner with parents and families. They can help us
accomplish our
goals!
Often youth leaders work part time and have barely enough
time to work with
the youth, and now we are asking that they work with parents.
This should not bring additional stress to the
lives of youth leaders but should enhance their ministry.
Think what it would be like if you could be in constant
communication with the parents of your youth and not rely
upon the notes sent home or the messages via youth
that never seem to reach the parents.
One of the ways to begin a ministry that would reach out
to parents, is to invite them to youth meetings perhaps
on a monthly basis. You could host a meal where all could
eat together. Parents and youth could enjoy a time
of fellowship and worship together. This could create a
great opportunity for parents to come together and learn
from one another. Why not invite your pastoral staff to
join you for these gatherings? Once you get to know the
parents, and they know you, they will become more supportive
of your ministry.
Sometimes the best way to begin this ministry with the
parents, is to begin when youth are in junior high. This
is an age when parents are more apt to still be involved and
they will continue this involvement through high
school if there is a way for them to be invited.
Twelve Tips to Understanding Your Teenager
The following twelve
parenting tips, to help parents get through the day with
teens, are offered by “Understanding Your
Teenager” a link from Gospel.com.
You may wish to copy these and pass them along to parents
of your youth group.
- When your teenager comes home from school today, smile
when he or she walks through the door. Do that several days
in a row and your kid will actually look forward to coming
home!
- Next time your teenager tries to be funny…laugh.
- Make a list of all the things your teenager does that
makes you mad. Now, go through the list and cross off
all the stuff
that doesn’t really matter. Save your anger only
for those things which have lasting moral consequences.
- Take your teenager out for breakfast or lunch once
a week. Promise yourself that you won’t use
that time to lecture or
nag. Just listen and talk about good stuff.
- Invite your
teenager’s friends to your house for
pizza, soft drinks and a movie rental. Extra points
if you can secure
a big
screen TV or video projector.
- Ask your teenager to play
his/her favorite music on your stereo. Listen and
discuss the music with
him or
her. Find
out
why he/she likes it so much. Try to avoid criticism.
- Think
of something positive you can say to your teenager today…and
say it.
- Put a love note (from you) in your teenager’s
backpack or lunch sack.
- Before you criticize your
teenager’s behavior,
try remembering your own teenage years. Chances
are it will help
you
communicate better.
- Respect your teenager’s privacy.
Snooping without a legitimate reason is a no-no.
- Communicate
your plans to your teenager frequently. Let him/her know
where you are, when you’ll be home,
what
you’re doing. This sets a good example that will
encourage them to do the same thing for you.
- Pray daily for your kids. Remember, God loves them even
more than you do!
Helpful web sites for Parents
www.screenit.com - offers
helpful reviews and ratings of current movies.
www.reallyrics.com and www.azlyrics.com -
offers lyrics to popular music, so parents can understand the
words
their youth are listening to. This is also a good source
for youth leaders to review and then discuss certain music
lyrics with their youth.
www.parentministry.org -
offers answers to parent’s
questions on how to raise teens. Categories include
communication, early teen years, friends, media, money,
rebellion and conflict, school, sexual issues, single
parenting and teen spiritual development.
They also offer advice on how to discipline teens.
|
