Maintaining a Heart for Parents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuKfBzydJYU
If you copy and paste this link into your browser, you will be able to watch a small clip of what we are going to be talking about at the Leader's Meeting.

"That precious memory triggers another:
your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is,
handed down from
your grandmother Lois to
your mother Eunice,
and now to you!"
2 Timothy 1:5 (The Message)

"40 hours a year (church) compared to 3,000 hours a year (family)"

“Two combined influences make a great impact than just two influences."

How do those two sentences make you feel?

When I first saw the comparison of how many hours we have with kids at church and then how many parents have with kids, it really blew me away. I know that obviously parents will have more time with their kids, but when you look at 40 hours for a child to be in the church, it doesn't seem like very much at all.

What we do here every Sunday morning and Tuesday night is very crucial. However, it’s amazing to think that we could have a very powerful children’s ministry here at Parkdale if we partnered with our parents and worked together to raise children to be godly men and women.

*********************

“We don’t really know how to partner with parents. Our programming and resources are built around the forty hours we have with kids.” (THINK ORANGE. Pg. 89)

I remember when I was younger, watching new parents at a baby dedication. First, the parents would agree before God and the church congregation that they will do all they can do to lead their child to a life following Jesus.
I then remember the church would stand together, and read together a declaration that they will stand with the parents and help them lead their children into a life filled with God.

Even as a young person, that was a powerful image for me, that not only does the church care about children, but they also care for parents.

I don’t think that we, as a church, have quite captured the potential of serving TOGETHER with parents.

It is a hard mindset to think about! We assume that if we are running a great KidzClub, with a high attendance, and kids are learning, than we are helping the parents.

That may not be so.

So how can we maintain a heart for parents?

If a child answered a question during Bible time, encourage the parents by telling them what their child said.

If you had a neat conversation with a child during crafts or games, let the parents know!

Send home take home papers. Let the parents know what is going on in your group.

Ask the parents if there is anything that you can pray for during the week.

Write a short note or email to parents encouraging them of their child’s spiritual growth.

.....This is a growing and learning experience.

By no means do I even know how to fully grasp this opportunity that we have to connect with parents in the spiritual upbringing of their children.

My prayer is that as a children's ministry, as a church, we will be able to connect with parents; that we will be able to work together to help bring children to Jesus.

Striving for Excellence

The world has just finished watching the 2010 Winter Olympics.

For the athletes, the dream of being in the Olympics has consumed thoughts, hours, diets, relationships, days, weeks, and months. Athletes have been training for years for these past two weeks, to show the world their skills in the different sports.

Last night was the much anticipated hockey game between Canada and the U.S.A. Most TV's were tuned to this game, as people sat on the edge of their couches, bowls of chips on their coffee tables, many nails were bitten in suspense as Canada and U.S.A. tied in the last few seconds of the third period. As the game went into overtime, to Canada's relief and excitement, a goal slipped past Team U.S.A.'s goalie, into the net and Canada won the gold medal.

Every Canadian who was watching the game, uttered some cry of excitement and cheered, as Team Canada brought another gold medal to the list of medals.

As I was thinking about the big game today, I couldn't help but see the parallel to the first three verses in Hebrews 12:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

The author of Hebrews is talking about Christians running the race of life and meanwhile the heavens are filled with witnesses who are watching, cheering, and encouraging them on towards Jesus.

Similarly as we watched the thousands of athletes who did each sport with excellence, with their eyes fixed on the gold medal, we as Christians are reminded and encouraged in Hebrews to fix our eyes on Jesus, and run with everything that is within us towards the cross.

Don't be discouraged when your kids aren't listening during Bible time, someone in your group is listening. Don't be discouraged when you think that no one understood what you were trying to teach, someone understands.

Remember that whenever it feels like you failed in either how you told the Bible story, or when the craft flopped, or if you forgot the "all important" snack, you have a cloud of witnesses surrounding you, cheering you on towards the goal. Dust yourself off and get back up again and start running.

Be encouraged as you go about your week. Remember Jesus, who endured such shame, He did so for us. Focus on Him. And run! Run towards Him with perseverance!