September reading

It's so cool that this section was focused on parent involvement...since we're having Parents Night in a couple weeks! I definitely think being a parent of a teenager helps my perspective. Maybe you didn't think about it this way, but the reason I try to have Bible Studies and EP end at 5:00 or shortly thereafter, is because the evening is FAMILY TIME. We don't want to compete with that. I'm also aware of bogging our calendar down with events because of the pressure I feel in my own house.

Here are some of the other ideas that I'm definitely going to mention at Parents Night:

1. We already have this mentality...but I strongly agree that parents are NOT the competition for time. I got a huge kick out of his statement about his boot camp mentality. "Give me your kids in junior high...I'll have them converted, baptized, educated, sancitified, dry-cleaned and ready for pick up at 18." HAHAHAHA Although I think there are some parents who would take us up on that kind of offer!! :o)
2. Our role in students' spiritual development is helpful, but parents is CRUCIAL! I definitely want to remind them of that. But that we ARE here to help in any way we can.
3. He did mention those that come from unchurched families - we definitely have a greater role then. For those students, I don't mind competing for their time a little bit. I will never disrespect a parent's wishes, but I wouldn't feel bad trying to convince the student to get deeply involved in every possible program we offer. Their life depends on knowing Christ!
4. We are not here to teach them how to parent. We offer support, reinforcement of values, and advice if asked.
5. I am going to ask parents a few questions. What are their fears? How do they view our role? What are their highest priorities when it comes to time available? Are there topics that they would like to see addressed in AYM?
6. I do communicate regularly with parents. I'm still finding the best way to do this. I could schedule a quarterly parents email. So far, I've just been sending them on an "as needed" basis. I'd love to hear some feedback about that. Quarterly would probably be better. We could do some of the student features that we've talked about in the past. ???
7. He mentioned offering family resources. I have a limited library, but I've seen it used already! I'd like to build this for the future.
8. As you know, we're definitely inviting parents to volunteer at various levels of youth ministry. I think this is going to be a great addition!
9. In 1GR, we have very short weekly assignments. It's either a "DO", "ASK", or "WRITE". The ASK involves a specific question that they must ask someone else. Usually it's a parent - and it involves some kind of spiritual matter. So that creates a great opportunity for discussion! (The DO is a challenge to go do something related to the topic we're covering, and the WRITE is to write a journal entry about something specific.)

Also, regarding the Appendices...there's some GREAT stuff there that I'm definitely going to imitate in my youth ministry manual! Thank you Doug Fields for sharing your wisdom AND your practical tools to carry out ministry!