YMS Episode 56 -- How to be a Hero to Parents

2019-09-10

Most of us got into youth ministry for the students. Then we found out we had to work with parents, too. That can be challenging and intimidating. Of course, it doesn't take long to realize this is critically important if we want to succeed in youth ministry. Even for younger youth workers, how can we earn the respect of parents and consider them our allies? We, Steve and Mathew, haven't always been great at that, but now that we are not only parents ourselves but nearly finished parenting ...

Most of us got into youth ministry for the students. Then we found out we had to work with parents, too. That can be challenging and intimidating.

Of course, it doesn't take long to realize this is critically important if we want to succeed in youth ministry. Even for younger youth workers, how can we earn the respect of parents and consider them our allies? We, Steve and Mathew, haven't always been great at that, but now that we are not only parents ourselves but nearly finished parenting teens altogether, we finally figured out a few ways to do things a little better.

That's what we talk about in today's episode. We suggest five ways that might be helpful. They are pretty obvious, but not easy to do. By being trustworthy, being a good communicator, being responsive, being professional, and celebrating students, we can make our ministry more effective, make our lives easier, and make our parents happier. With longevity as the goal, we might even last until we have finished our own parenting journey.

This is the first part of our three-part series, "How to be a Hero to..."

Episode 56 -- How to be a Hero to Parents

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