The Beauty of Partnering With Parents

“Partnering with parents” is a very popular phrase for those in children’s ministry and student ministry.  We realize that (or we should realize) that this is one of the key relationships that we should foster as ministry leaders.

I have always struggled somewhat with what it means to truly partner with parents.  Sure, we can send home a take-home page that reviews what was taught in class, knowing very well that these pages will either be left behind on Sunday mornings or serve as mats in the car.  Don’t get me wrong.  I think it’s very important to put resources into the hands of parents.  But we can’t stop there.

As I continue to wrap my brain around this concept, I am convinced more and more that true partnership is (1) each partner knowing what the common goals are, (2) knowing what role each partner plays in moving toward the common goals and (3) communicating effectively and regularly about the progress being made.

This weekend, I’ll wrap up teaching our three-week Communion class for 2nd-5th graders and their parents.  Having the parents attend with their child is great because they are able to not only hear what we’re teaching their child but it allows them to engage in dialogue about their own spiritual walk right on the spot.  (Parents are also provided a tool to use in continuing the conversation at home about what was provided in class.)

In my opinion, true partnership between the church and parents happens when there is conversation between them as well as resources being put into the hands of the parents.  There is also a responsibility for ministries to encourage and provide venues for conversation between parents and children.

For the past two weeks, I have witnessed parents and children talking at the tables and parents helping their children understand what it means to be loved by Christ, forgiven and welcomed at The Lord’s Table.  Parents were happy to share and children sat in awe of hearing their parents share with them.  It was  priceless exchange.  No take home page could replace that.

What are your thoughts?  How do you partner with parents in your ministry?  If you’re a parent, what ways does your church help you to be a better parent and spiritual leader?

All-Inclusive Recruiting: 16 “Outside the Box” Volunteer Positions

As leaders, we spend a lot of time recruiting for weekend programming–teachers, assistant teachers, greeters, techies, worship leaders, ushers, just to name a few.  As important and valuable as these roles are, not everyone is gifted or available to serve in our ministries on the weekends.

It’s important to remember to make our ministries all-inclusive, meaning that we seek to include volunteers who might be able to serve in capacities outside of the weekend that would greatly benefit your ministry.  These opportunities might be a great way to incorporate more teens and college students, stay-at-home parents, working parents, grandparents and older members of your church into your ministry without a weekly commitment.  Here are 16 ways that you can think outside of the box when recruiting:

1.  Artists can help design and build sets or make-over your classroom.

2.  Sorters can sort curriculum, take-home pages, parent resources, worship bulletins, crayons, etc.  They could also sort and discard broken crayons, dried out markers and glue sticks, etc.

3.  Re-stockers can use a check-list to restock classroom supplies that are used each week.

4.  Technology lovers can keep your ministry’s social media sites up-to-date.  They might also be able to help you design cool power point presentations for worship or other uses.

5.  Social butterflies can make reminder calls to volunteers and recruit volunteers for your events.

6.  Those who love to cook can cook or bake for events.

7.  Readers might love to edit your digital curriculum.

8.  Decorators can plan and set up for events with a keen eye to details.

9.  Those who love to shop can purchase snacks and other supplies.

10.  Marketers can brainstorm ideas to help you effectively publicize your events.

11.  Writers can send cards to your children and volunteers.

12.  Crafty folks can help prepare crafts by cutting out shapes, patterns or templates.  They can also sew costumes and help make props.

13.  Trainers or skilled professionals can come in to lead training for your volunteers or staff.

14.  Surveyors can look into and evaluate curriculum options, Bibles, books and other resources.

15.  Organizers can help organize your resource room/craft closet and classroom cupboards.

16.  Researchers can help you find that perfect craft or object lesson, a great ice-breaker for your next volunteer meeting or an active and messy game that your 5th grade boys would love.

One of our jobs as leaders is to help those in the body find their place.  Be sure that your ministry is all-inclusive!  Think outside of the box!

Let me know what you would add to the list!

{Book Review} and Free Book Giveaway: “The One Year Be-Tween You and God”

My thirteen-year-old daughter, Kennedy, and I recently reviewed Sandra Byrd’s recently released “The One Year Be-Tween You & God”, a devotional for girls ages 9-14.

About the Book

You have questions, some very personal and deep, others lighter and funny.  In this devotional, bestselling teen and tween author Sandra Byrd tackles 365 of those questions with scripturally based answers designed just for today’s girl.  

This devotional is like a personal diary between you and God.  Your questions and God’s answers from Scripture will lead you to a solid faith and deeper relationship with him.

Kennedy’s Thoughts

The outside cover of the book had a really cool design.  I think that is a big hit for girls my age.  Each devotional began with a “Dear God” question that is relevant and age-appropriate for preteen and teen girls like me.  I liked that each devotional had a corresponding scripture and an application prayer at the end.

I felt that the devotional lacked color and was kind of dull in appearance in the inside.  That part is not appealing for girls my age.  I like that while the book has a scripture index, I think that a topical index would help girls find devotions around a topic that they are going through at a given time.

Overall, I think the content is great and would help many girls my age answer questions about God and life in general.

Kathie’s Thoughts

I was thrilled to receive a copy of “The One Year Be-Tween You and God” devotional book for girls.  As a mom of a teenage daughter, I am always on the lookout for great resources to help her grow in her relationship with Christ.

The book contains 365 devotions, one for each day of the year.  Each devotional contains a “Dear God” question (written from the prospective of a “tween”); a “Consider This” devotional thought written by the author; a follow-up question; and a passage of Scripture. The scripture passages were taken from the New Living Translation, which I think makes God’s Word easily understood by preteens and teens.

I think that the majority of “Dear God” questions were age-appropriate.  They covered friendship, self-worth, popularity, fashion/beauty, school, following God and family relationships.  Some, in my opinion, seemed geared towards older teens.  For example, “Dear God, I still feel embarrassed about some stuff I did in the past.  How can I stop thinking about it?”  I’m not sure how much of a past a nine-year-old would have.

I agree with my daughter that it would have been more appealing if the pages were in color instead of black, white and gray.  I also agree that a topical index would allow for more personal application.  Finally, it would have been great if the book included a space for the girls to journal some of their thoughts.

Overall, I think the book is a great option for preteen and early teen girls.  I think it will help girls grapple with their faith and other issues they face during these impressionable years.

I am giving away a free copy of this resource!  You’ll be automatically entered to win when you leave a “Pick Me!” comment along with your name below.  The opportunity to enter ends at 5:00 pm EST on October 31, 2012.  

Tyndale House Publishers provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Now or Later: The Pitfalls of Procrastination

It’s ironic that I’m writing about the pitfalls of procrastination way past my bedtime!  So trust me, I know of what I speak!

Newsflash:  I procrastinate.  Not all of the time but I occasionally put off making that phone call, sending that email, cleaning off my desk…you get my drift.  Sometimes, there’s a good reason (i.e. having more pressing matters to tend to, meetings, and family responsibilities).

But I find that I often procrastinate because I procrastinated!  But there are pitfalls with this pattern.  Here are just a few:

  • More stress.  Kind of goes without saying but putting off things just makes my to-do list longer and a long(er) to-do list makes me overwhelmed.  Very overwhelmed.  And grumpy.
  • Lack of respect. When I procrastinate in responding to an email, for instance, that shows someone how little I value them or what they have to say.  It also lowers my credibility and as a leader, I definitely don’t want to do that.
  • Increased financial cost.  Waiting to order supplies (particularly online) has cost me in extra shipping fees and sometimes a higher sale price.  Definitely a lose-lose situation.
  • Taking for granted that I’ll be able to get to it tomorrow.  The Bible says in James 4:14 (NLT), “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”  Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so it’s best not to make “I’ll get to it tomorrow” part of our daily vocabulary.

What would you add to the list?  Share your thoughts below.