[ Father's Love Letter ]

 

HOW TO GET YOUR TEENAGER INTO OUR MINISTRY
 What Parents Can Do
1. Pray

It's amazing how many parents I talk to who haven't considered prayer as one of their options. I encourage you to ask God for His wisdom when talking to your son or daughter. God is more concerned about your child's spirituality than you are! Start here and ask God to do the impossible while you and our staff do the possible.

2. Make a Connection with our Staff

Please call the church and get in touch with Pastor Bobby.   He will get you connected with the right caring adult.

3. Attend our Sunday Morning Worship Service with Your Child

This is a great way to show your teenager that you really believe that Jesus Christ is important. Usually your child will know when something is important to you; they will follow you leadership. Hope to see you soon!

"OKAY, I'LL TRY IT ONCE!"
Because of parental pressure or bribery, many students will try the youth group once but return to their parents with one of the following reactions:

  • "IT'S TOO BIG!"
  • "IT'S TOO WILD"
  • "IT'S TOO CLIQUEY!"
  • "I HATED IT!

Again, I would have the same reaction if I went by myself. But when many of these students return with a friend at a later time, we hear them say:

  • "IT WAS GREAT!"
  • "I LOVED IT!"
  • "THE PEOPLE ARE REALLY FRIENDLY!"
  • "I LEARNED A LOT!"
  • "I DIDN'T THINK CHURCH COULD BE SO FUN!"

So what's the difference?

The key word is FRIEND. When a student is connected with another person, he or she will feel more comfortable. I've watched students who we would consider "regulars," walk into the youth room and then leave because he was not able to locate his friend. As you know relationships bring comfort. The best youth ministry in the country would be considered "lousy" if there is no RELATIONAL CONNECTION.

A BIG PROBLEM: F E A R!
One of the most common problems we find in trying to get students involved in our student ministry is FEAR.

Most students are afraid to visit our group because they don't want to enter the room alone.

To be honest . . . I DON'T BLAME THEM. There are groups of students entrenched in conversation with other students and leaders they already know.

Although we have several greeters ready to welcome them and many of other "alone" students who would love to meet another "alone" student, it's different to see this, since FEAR is blinding.

WHAT OUR STAFF WILL DO
1. MAKE A PERSONAL CONTACT

After you make contact with us or your child comes to one of our ministries, we will contact your child. It may take us a few days but we will make a phone call and express our interest in meeting him or her.

2. WRITE A LETTER OF INVITATION

After the phone call, we will follow up with a personal letter and encourage your child to get involved in something.

3. HAVE A PEER MAKE A PERSONAL CONTACT

We will also pass your child's name and number to one of our student leaders from his/her campus. This student will make a phone call and make a personal invitation to one of our programs.

4. PROVIDE AN ACCEPTING, CARING, AND RELATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

As part of our on-going attempt to fulfill our purpose statement (stated above), we have strong relational values. We want our students to feel like they are accepted, that they belong, and that they are cared for. We want to develop relationships as we help students move toward spiritual maturity.

"If your son or daughter has even a 'small opening' of receptivity or interest to get involved in our ministry , please let us know. I'd love our ministry to be the place where teenagers can grow and discover God's purpose for their life.

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