Parental Guidance

Thanks again for the feedback and response to my second blog. Sorry this one has taken a bit longer to come around, but I want to make sure I am writing blogs that are relevant to my ministry and not just filling the page.

This blog is all about the importance of parents and how building relationships with parents is key to having a successful youth ministry. It's something that can often make me feel out of my comfort zone but it is still something that I need to do, and that I want to do well.

Exodus 20:12 says: 'Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.' (NIV)

It's not only here that the Bible talks about respecting parents and the importance of keeping a strong relationship with them. Because of this, it is something that I encourage my young people to do, and something that we make sure we cover in youth groups. It's not an option, it's an essential!

I want a youth ministry that offers young people as much support as they need, to encourage them, to challenge them and to help them move forward in their faith. However, that is not something that happens over night and it certainly does not work if we do not build relationships with both young people and their families.

As a youth minister I see the young people for a few hours, where as parents see them a lot more than that. It's imperative that we are willing to work together in supporting young people and helping them grow as much as possible.

For me this means that I want to have regular conversations with parents, whether it be on a Sunday morning, after a youth group, meeting for a coffee or visiting them in their homes. I want people to be able to come to me if they have ideas or concerns and this is unlikely to happen unless we can build a relationship of trust.

One thing we are doing at Guiseley Baptist Church is starting to have regular parents meetings, and we had our first one in May. These are an opportunity for parents to come and hear all about what is going on in the youth ministry as they don't alway hear it from the young people. It is also a chance for them to ask questions and give suggestions about things as I want their voices to be heard - I know I don't always get everything right.

Hopefully building relationships with parents will lead to better understanding between all parties which can have a huge impact on the church. I am not in youth ministry for personal gain but instead to honour God and serve young people. Over time I have learnt it is just as important to serve parents too and support them in anyway that I can.

To have a youth ministry that is successful I think it's essential to partner with parents, young people, the youth team and God. This way we can further the Kingdom as a stronger team with the goal of changing people's lives through the love of Jesus.