Too often in youth ministry we can get focused on what is right in front of us. Unfortunately at times, we can get tunnel vision on just our students, forgetting some very important people: you! You’re the number one influence in all areas of your student’s life, but especially with regards to faith. Having committed Christian parents enables a teenager to have a constant source of discipleship as well as a model of what the Christian life looks like on a daily basis.
God
intends for parents to serve as the primary spiritual instructors of their
children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and for those He calls as ministers to equip His
people for service (Ephesians 4:11-13).
One of the greatest shortcomings of contemporary youth ministry is that we have too long usurped the role of primary disciple of teens and in doing such, failed to equip parents for their vital role in the spiritual instruction and leadership of their students. Doing this enables parents to neglect their responsibility for the spiritual development of their children (Judges 2:10, 14). We, Living Grace Community Church and Living Grace Student Ministries, understand that we make our greatest impact upon unbelieving youth and families when our own youth and families are healthy spiritually (1 Timothy 3:1-13).
I long to minister to you as a parent, acknowledging parents as the primary spiritual leaders of their children and serving parents in that role. I desperately long to partner with you, working together to help your students grow in their relationship with God and navigate through their school years. I want to champion the call to pray for parents and to mobilize parents to pray for their teenagers, to spend intentional time to create and establish ministries that impact the home.
We aim to plan events and experiences that bring parents and teenagers together when it best achieves ministry purposes.
We
believe parents want to make the investment, and take the lead role in their
student’s life, many unfortunately are not sure how. Consider this: what would
youth programs look like if both the parents and the church worked in concert
with each other building disciples? We would see something amazing.
Join us in this ministry. We don’t have all the answers but together, we can come close!
Serving Him Always, Pastor Cory Shreve
Parent Resources
To help you in this adventure called parenthood, here are some useful resources that can be of great benefit to you. If there is any other way we can encourage, equip or partner with you, please don’t hesitate to be in contact with us.
Parent Resources:
Does your teen want to go
to a movie? Do they want to buy a video game or a CD that
you’re not sure is one they should play or listen to? Check out
Pluggedinonline.com for media reviews. We have found that the
reviews are objective and allow you to make up your own mind as to if it
is a media source that you want your teen to view.
The Center for Parent/Youth
Understanding is a nonprofit organization committed to building strong families
by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and
teenagers.
Provides wisdom for raising
teens in today’s culture.
For over 40 years, the Josh
McDowell Ministry, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ International, has
focused on serving and equipping churches, pastors, families and people
everywhere in raising generations of purpose-driven Christians who know what
they believe, why it is true, and how to live out their Christian faith.
FamilyLife is committed to
helping people know and apply the biblical blueprints for maintaining a
God-honoring marriage and raising children to become responsible adults.
Keeping your Teen safe! –
Internet & Phone Security Sites
WiredSafety is world’s
largest Internet safety, help and education resource.
The Bsafe Online filter is
a simple, yet powerful software program that puts YOU in control. It filters
online, inappropriate adult content, monitors Instant Messaging & much
more!
My Mobile Watchdog
safeguards your child while using cell phones and immediately alerts you if he
or she receives unapproved email, text messages or phone calls.
