Parent Q&A

So, I'm sure some of you are wondering what happened at all the parent meetings (especially if you didn't get to come). Well, lots of things happened, but I decided that I'd like each of you to be able to at least skim the main ideas behind them. If you have specific questions or want to talk about what else happened at the meetings, let me know.

-Michael


What follows is in a few different formats, but I'll try to make it as consistent as possible.

Q: How do you keep kids in the Church?
A: Relationships with one another. Also, parent encouragement cannot be discounted here, as if your relationship with Jesus Christ AND a relationship with the church (in response to your relationship with Christ) is important to you, the more likely it is that those things will be important to your youth.

Q: Will there be a week when the students "play?"
A: Yes, we try to have one of those weeks each month. However, sometimes our curriculum or other scheduling issues keeps us from doing it exactly on that time frame. We also make sure that there are fun things that happen every week at youth as well.

Q: Is there an accountability group system available?
A: Absolutely. It is not currently running, but all we need to start it back up are willing participants. The best way to get this program running again is to decide with several other parents (especially within the same grade) that this is something that is important to you, and we'll make sure it happens!

Q: My student sometimes doesn't feel connected when they come in to youth, should we just go home or what?
A: It's very easy, especially if a youth isn't particularly outgoing, to feel like they aren't "connecting" when they walk through the door. The best suggestion is that you stick it out. It's no different than your child having to acclimate themselves to a new class or a new group of friends at school. It does take time.Also, you may want to come and visit WITH your child for the first few weeks to help your child feel more comfortable in the group. We will be doing some programs and activities (even some service projects) that will start when your child walks through the door, or shortly thereafter, and that should help make them feel more comfortable. If you would like to help coordinate these projects, please contact Michael.

Q: I as a parent don't feel connected to the youth ministry.
A: E-mailing me, Michael, is a great way to keep in touch. I'm always willing to talk about your youth or what's going on in church with you. Other ways to feel connected is to use the connections inherently built in to the church. Start a small group ministry with the other parents in your child's grade level. This is a GREAT way to connect each of you and make all of us more accountable to one another as a church family.

Q: Service projects are really important!
A: Yes, they are. We will be completing a number of these during the year.

Q: Can my kid go anywhere they like during youth? What about when youth ends? How is my child protected?
A: We try to keep a rein on all the youth while they are in the building; however, kids will be kids, and sometimes they do end up playing in the church. But we're pretty quick to hop on top of that and bring them back into the fold. When youth ends, if your child did not bring themselves to youth group, we request that parents come inside the building to pick them up, for safety, and so that we can see each other face-to-face. One of the service things we are putting into place directly relates to this question. We will have a board available where people can write down a need that they have or that they see that the youth can work on. So we don't end up with the "information gap" that is so easy to have between kids' hands and parents' ears. Coming in is also an opportunity to see if your youth has signed up for a program or activity.

Q: When is Miner Retreat? What's the cost? When is money due? Are there scholarships?
A: January 25 - 27, 2008. $150 per student. December 1, 2007. Yes, all you have to do is ask.

Q: What activities attract you and your youth to our program?
A: Jesus Junkies, Music, Art, CCSC Back to School, Mission Projects (internal and external) and E'lah accountability groups.

Q: How do we get more girls involved in the youth programs?
A: Do what the 6th grade parents have done - be in contact with one another, carpool and be accountable. So, if you see that someone has missed church or youth, call them and ask if everything is okay and how can you help them get there! Be available.

Q: My friends want to go where their friends are!
A: Invite your kids' friends! This is true with any group. Kids want to be where kids are. The more families willing to say that other things are more important than church/youth, the less youth we have, then we have less youth there as friends to those coming, then the cycle starts all over. Carpool, talk, be in communication, be accountable and be available! Don't just go to church, BE THE CHURCH!

General Ideas

• Wish there was more of a feeling of support from other parents in the volunteer system. If you can volunteer, DO! It means the world to your kids even if they don't express it.