Partnering with parents.
We use that phrase in our children's ministry.
What does it mean?
I can tell you what it means as our Children's Ministry Director.
It means having consistent small group leaders, the same hours, every Sunday for the entire school year.
We do this because this is the best way for our children and parents to feel safe, to connect, to feel welcome and accepted, with a leader who is faithful and invests their heart and their time to care about each child and family in their small group.
It means using curriculum that meets each child where they are, at each age and developmental level.
We do this so that they don't just adopt their parents faith, then lose it along the way.
Instead, they transition from believing what they are told, to understanding, choosing and living out their own, authentic faith and relationship with Christ.
It means providing environments where kids are allowed to move, play,be loud and ask questions.
We do this because this is how they are made and this is how they learn and grow.
It means finding and training and inspiring leaders to understand that EVERY child is made in the image of God.
We do this so that for at least the one hour per week they are here, they have a place where
- they see and are shown God's love for them
- they are welcome and accepted
- they learn to give and receive grace
- they are valued and cared about
It means being intentional and consistent as parents and leaders about letting our middle and high school students serve alongside our dedicated adult leaders now, so that they realize they can lead and make a difference today, not someday when they are "grown up".
If we show them how and let them lead in areas where they are gifted now, they transition seamlessly from student leaders to adult leaders because they already know how.
They learn that they are important and capable, that God can work through them just as they are. If we wait to utilize their gifts until they are adults, they have been on the outside waiting to get in for so long that the steps they need to take to be a leader are overwhelming. The memory of being kept out is more vivid than the momory of wanting to serve.
This all works best when small group leaders and parents make the effort to communicate,
pray for each other and their children. It works especially when they reach out to each other in a crisis or significant change in the life of the family, good or bad, so that they can comfort, pray with, encourage and celebrate together with the child.
The final end of our Children's Ministry is when small group leaders and parents recognize their children's interests and gifts, then reach out to get them connected with a leader in that area of ministry as they enter junior high so they learn what it feels like to serve. They learn to think and care about someone besides themselves,
to stop thinking about their own needs and problems for a while, and instead care about the needs and spiritual growth of their small group, their church and their community.
As a leader I am passionate about this philosophy because as a parent I have proof that it works.
I will share those examples in my next post, Partnering With Parents - Part 2.
Until then - if you are not already bringing your kids consistently during the same hour each Sunday I encourage you to change that starting this week.
If you have not reached out to or met your child's small group leader, I encourage you to make that happen this Sunday.
If you or your middle or high school student is not serving already, call or email me and I will help you find where there are opportunities in our church and community to start now.
We are better together,
Amy
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