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PARTNERING WITHPARENTS

:)Ministry Direction...

Partnering with parents inthe spiritual nurture of childrenis a

rather novel idea for most congregations.Some congregations accept little or noresponsibilityfor the spiritual developmentof the children, strongly adhering to theprinciple that spiritual instruction is theresponsibility of the family alone. Othercongregations recognize that social,economic, and spiritual stresses arepreventing or hindering families fromproviding spiritual nurture. Thesecongregations have done as Christianeducator,AnnaMow,advised. "The churchmustfInishwhatthe familycannot do and itmust compensate for wherever the familyfails the children." But few congregationshave recognized and tapped into thetremendous potential of partnering withparents in the spiritual nurture of children.

Is partneringwithparentsa Biblicalprinciple? Definitely. The Old Testamentmodel of nurture called for the family toprovide instruction as stated inDeuteronomy6:6. However,this instructio~didnot takeplace in isolation. It took placein the context of a loving,holy community.The Scriptural truths parents taught their

childrenwerereaffirmedby members of thecommunity. The children's activeparticipation in the life and worship of thecommunity provided opportunities to liveout Biblical instruction.

Today, the local congregation isthat communityof believers. The membersof the believingcommunitymust recognizethe family as the primary context forChristian instruction. However,the localcongregationmust also fulfill its Scripturalobligation to the children. It must affIrmthe spiritual instruction of the parents. Itmusthelp each child find his or her rightfulplacein the body of Christ. It must preparethe childrenfor works of service and bringthem to full spiritual maturity (Ephesians4:11-16).

Partnering with parents may be a novel ideabut it is defmitely biblical! Let's work with parentsto raise up an anointed generation of children.

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Ideas You Can Use! ()

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Conversation. Take time for a

brief but meaningful conversation when aparent comes by to pick up his child afteryour ministry. If possible, comment onthe child and what you hope wasaccomplished during that ministry time.

Correspondence. Personal notesto the parent and/or the child encouragecommunication and the development ofrelationships. A child's absence shouldalways be followed up with a note orphone call. Correspondence is alsoeffective as an acknowledgment of goodbehavior, outstanding achievement orsimply to affirm the child and/or hisparent.

Forums. Provide opportunitiesfor parents and children's ministers tomeet together to discuss successes, needs,problems and goals.

Newsletter. Provide a quarterly,monthly or even weekly newsletter forparents. Use the newsletter to provideinformation of ministry goals, needs,

opportunities for parent involvement andannouncement of ministry activities.

Programs. At least once a yearchildren's ministry should present aprogram to the congregation emphasizingthe goals of the ministry, the impact on thechildren and the involvement of ministers

and parents. Children's Day is anexcellent opportunity to do this.

Curriculum information.Provide take home papers, quarterlyoutlines and other materials that keepparents informed of the Scriptural truthsbeing presented in various children'sministry programs. Encourage the parentsto reinforce this teaching during times offamily instruction.

PARENTS ON THE TEAM!

ModelingParents are the examplesmost often followed!

InstructingParents are the child's first

teachers and have been giventhe primary responsibility toteach.

GuidingParents guide the child'sspiritual growth throughspiritual conversations,family devotions, anddiscipline.

AdvocatingParents speak out on behalfof their children's needs.

AdvisingParents should be given theopportunity to provide inputinto the local ministry tochildren.

ServingParents are willing to serveon behalf of their children.

MinisteringParents, when trained, areexcellent ministers to children.

SupplyingParents are willing to providefmances, materials andassistance to the ministriesthat bless their child.

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FootstepsAge Level: upper elementary

Use shoes to represent the role of each

family member--Dad, Mom and child.Write the following verses on paper strips.Put the strips in the appropriate shoe:Dad-Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ephesians 6:4;Mom-Isaiah 49:15 and Titus 2:3-5;Children-Exodus 20:12 and Colossians3:20.

Form three groups and give oneshoe to each group. Have groups read theirverses to discover that family member'srole in the family. After groups havefinished, have a representative hold thatgroup's shoe and tell what his or her groupdiscovered about each family member'srole.

No Family FeudAge level: elementary

Form two teams. Have teams

each list the top 10 ways a family can getalong, according to Ephesians 4. Afterteams have completed their lists, collect thelists. Then have teams take turns guessingthe answers that were on both lists.

Afterward, discuss how easy or difficult itis to get along with family members andhow the listed ways can help them get alongbetter.

-Reprinted by permission from Children'sMinistryMagazine, 1992. Copyrightby GroupPublishing,Box 481, Loveland,CO 80539.

For the Children's Minister andPastor:

THE BABY BOOMERANG,Doug Murren. Thisbook is a how-toresourcefor Christian leaderswho needsolid,practicaladviceon reachingtheboomers. Publishedby RegalBooks,l-800-4-GOSPEL.

PARENT CONNECTION,KarinKlein. This is a bookof 36 two-sided, photocopy-readysend-homenewslettersthat help parentsteach valuesand improvetheiryoung children'slearning. Publishedby StandardPublishing, 1- 800-543-1333.

Scriptographicbooklets:ABOUT CHRISTIAN

PARENTING, ABOUT FAITH ANDYOUR CHILD, FAMILY WORSHIP.These easy-to-read and informative bookletsare inexpensive enough to be given to eachfamily in your congregation. Published byChanning 1. Bete Co., Inc., 1-800-628-7733.

For the Parents:LET'S HIDE THE WORD,

Joyful Ways to Build Biblical PrinciplesInto Your Home, Gloria Gaither andShirley Dobson. This book providescreative ways for parents to saturate thehome environment with biblical

principles. Published by Word Publishing.