PARENTS MINISTRY
Scripture constantly reiterates the fact that it is not the church who has the primary role of raising teenagers, it is the job of the parents (namely the father). Our job here at CBC is not to replace the role of the parents, rather it is to supplement and equip the family. We understand that youth today are much different than when we were growing up...so we're here for you - to train you, to equip you, to allow you to play the primary role of spiritual head of your youth. At the end of the day, the goal of our parent ministry is simple – to equip the parents to be able to lead the youth to Jesus. The parents should be able to model and teach the real Christian life to their child. The parents are to show the youth – this is how you live the way of Jesus. We believe that parents also need to teach them crucial life skills based on what Scripture says. (Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Ephesians 6:7; Psalms 145:4). The ultimate goal here isn't strict legalism...but it is about the spiritual depth of your youth (see philosophy: depth). Because who cares if they conquer moral behavior but their heart is a wreck? We're not here to raise "good, moral" youth...we're warring for their souls and ultimately, their joy. Below is our pledge to you as parents and what we expect of you as parents:
Our Pledge: CBC Youth Ministry pledges our strength and efforts to live out Ephesians 4:12 as it relates to you as parents. We strive to equip you to raise your own children so that they might follow after your footsteps as you follow after Jesus'. We will constantly dig into culture and give you material as to how to minister to your youth. We will constantly pray for you and your teens so that you might not get caught up in programs and God will open your eyes to the beauties of who He is. We will be theologically grounded and give our opinions and advice as Scripture reveals.
Our Vision: Parents, we know, are one of the greatest influences on children’s lives. We believe in Deut. 6 that the parents are to be the ones that teach and train their youth. You cannot provide for your family at the expense of your family. Our role as youth leaders is to help you teach your youth on how to follow the way of Jesus. We also understand that the parents are the greatest factor influence on youth. They will see them the most – more than any other church member, counselor, or teacher. Deut. 6 calls the parents to form the school at home. They are the ones to teach. Our role here is not to “take care” of your youth. This is not a baby-sitting gig. We are interested in leading these students to follow the way of Jesus. We want the parents to teach Jesus in the home – but the real version of Jesus. That God is not the morality police…he doesn’t sit back and wait for us to mess up and then punish us. God does punish those he loves but he’s also the same God that creates all things good (James 1). We teach that Christ changes the heart which in turn changes action. We want to see the parents modeling what the Christian home should look like. We will challenge your students to plug in and perhaps ask them to find a college in town in order to run this ministry with us. We will be praying that some of your kids leave to be the light of the world…some to full-time ministry, some to become authors, poets, artists, and some to serve in overseas missions. We can’t expect the youth to just go through the motions and play the church game. If we believe what this Holy text says to be true…then it holds huge implications not just for our lives but also for the lives of the youth.
At the end of high school, the goal of the parent ministry is simple – to equip the parents to be able to lead the youth to Jesus. The parents should be able to model and teach the real Christian life to their child. The parents are to show the youth – this is how you live the way of Jesus. This is hard also because it holds the parents accountable for their own growth, honesty, discipline, and witness. Another goal of our parents ministry is to reach out outsider parents. Have a place for them to plug in…allow them to see the beauty of Jesus and the life that he offers. We need you to catch this vision with us for the sake of your youth and your home. Yes, we look like we’re youth ourselves…yes, we will mess up and fail you…but we need you to understand what Christ is calling you to. Please please please know that this isn’t a game…plug in, ask for help, get involved…we need you.
Our Expectations: We expect you parents to claim the biblical role of the primary teacher in your home. We expect you to constantly be praying for the souls of your children and not just moral behavior. May you never be off your knees and constantly cry out with us for the salvation of your teen. We expect you to constantly engage with your youth throughout the day and to be ever-aware with their struggles, behavior, joy, and frustrations. We ask that you constantly address the issues of the heart rather than moral behavior of your teen. We expect you to attend our monthly parent meetings (see Calendar). We ask that you don't ever think you're parenting alone...that you know that there's a community of parents that are probably smarter, wiser, and more equipped than you to minister to you. We hope that you understand that there are also parents that are frustrated, disappointed, and lost as well...and perhaps you ought to be in community together with them.
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