I wonder how many of those in youth ministry speak of parents with the tone that I have in the past. Parents love their kids more then anyone else, they want what is best for them, and they have insight into the heart and mind of their kids that youth pastors and workers simply don't. They may not be ministry experts and they may not understand why Korn is spelled with a backwards "R," but they have been the primary disciplers of their kids since they were born.
In one sense those in youth ministry work for the parents. I know you might be thinking you work for the board or your senior pastor, but think about it. What group of people can get you fired the fastest? The answer is the parents. Even if the Senior Pastor wanted to fire you, if the parents like you, it would be difficult for him to do so. If the Senior pastor likes you and all the parents want to see you gone, you will be gone.
This is the way it should be. You don't have to agree with parents all the time and you don't have to answer to them in the same way you answer to a board or your senior pastor. Yet they have more influence on the kids then you will ever have. It seems to me Youth leaders would be better off (and so would the kids) if youth ministry worked with the parents.
Maybe:
- Parents would be great leaders in the youth ministry because they have a vested interest.
- Youth ministries should ask, "how can we help parents become better parents?" for the sake of the kids.
- Youth leaders should be working side by side with the Senior Pastor, Adult ministries Pastor, and Kids Pastor to reach the entire family.
- Trix are for kids, but youth ministry is not as much about cool trix as originally thought.
- There should be more focus on providing family time rather then taking another night away from the family. Families have a busy schedule as it is, why should we unnecessarily add to it?
- A simpler ministry would be more effective in the long run?
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