MYM Blog

Do Your Small Group Leaders Know How To Connect With Parents?

Written by Christopher Wesley | Nov 14, 2017 7:30:58 AM

We want all of our small group leaders to be growing disciples, but if they can’t connect with parents their best efforts will fall short.

When a small group leader can connect with parents your capacity to impact more families grow. But, they might not know how to do that. That’s when you need to: 

GIVE THEM A SCRIPT

Even if your small group leaders are parents they might not know how to engage with parents as a volunteer. Help them out by giving them a script for how you want them to:

  • Introduce themselves and their role in the ministry
  • Check in with parents during the week
  • Invite parents to join them when they do something different

With a script you give them confidence and emphasize the type of behavior you want them to embrace.

REWARD GREAT BEHAVIOR

There will be times when a leader does something that makes you smile. It’s in those moments you need to praise and reward them by:

  • Bragging on them using social media
  • Sending them a thank you note
  • Taking them out for a cup of coffee

Regardless of how you praise them be clear on what they did. When great behavior gets rewarded it also gets repeated.

REINFORCE THE RELATIONSHIP

Parents are mostly likely going to come to you before they do a volunteer and that’s ok. You are the paid professional so they’ll want to seek you out. Unfortunately, you are not always available

Make it a priority that every small group leader knows each of their teen’s parents names and vice versa. The stronger their relationship the deeper the trust they will have in you.

PARTNER WITH THEM WHEN IT GETS HARD

There will be a situation when a leader notices a teen acting out of turn. This is when they (And not you) need to reach out to the parent  because it will reinforce the relationship and expand your capacity.

When a situation like this occurs sit with your leader and coach them through the process. Write out the script, sit with them on the conversation and debrief afterwards.

When you parnter with a leader when it gets hard they will grow in confidence. They’ll build a stronger relationship with the parents because they won’t be afraid of the situation.

When a parent knows that he or she has more than just one trustworthy adult they’ll become more confident. A confident parent is easier to work with and one that will advocate for your ministry.

How are you helping your volunteers connect with parents?