It took me a while to recognize that I should be serving parents. Who could blame me? Two weeks into my job I got a phone call from a parent accusing me of being “INJUST” because their son was not in the same small group as a friend. I took it personally and the tension between me and parents began.
God humbled me by introducing me to some awesome parents. They helped me grow as a disciple and showed me the importance of serving parents. God also blessed me by making me a parent. It’s been through this experience that I’ve realized parenthood is EMOTIONALLY CRAZY.
After managing volunteers, serving parents is the next most important responsibility you can have as a youth minister. While teens are important to what you do (It’s what you are hired to do), without parents your job becomes extremely difficult. Serving parents means figuring out how to partner with them. To do this means:
- Giving Them Full Exposure: You need transparency with how and what you teach. This means inviting parents to see a program. You could create a newsletter that gives them insight into what you do. You can also share with them materials from your program (i.e. small group questions, transcript of your message). This will not only help them appreciate what you do, but give them an insight on how to continue the conversation at home with their teens.
- Inviting Them Into The Conversation: Parents need an outlet where they can express their concerns and ask questions. This can be done through a Facebook page or a workshop on a “Hot Topics” (i.e. bullying). Create opportunities and forums to be heard and connected with other parents. Inviting them into dialogue with your ministry will reassure them that they are not alone in their journey.
- Challenging Them To Grow: To avoid consumeristic parents you need to challenge them to become active members in your church. Get them plugged into adult small groups or ministry (Doesn’t have to be youth ministry). Work with your church’s leadership to get them involved. Not only will they grow as disciples but they will become the role models their kids need at home.
- Giving Them A Break: It’s easy to be hard on parents; however, it’s important to remember that parenthood is not easy. Serving parents means walking and listening to them. It also means from time to time being a part of the emotional hurricanes they endure. Don’t take it personally, instead pray for them and partner with them.
Serving parents is showing them that you are on their side. It will also strengthen your ministry because they will advocate to other parents. They will support you in ways you might never have dreamed. When you support a parent in their ministry they’ll come back and support you in yours.
How are you serving parents in your ministry?