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.

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“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.