Parents,

Do you have a teenager that you’d like to be involved in our youth group?
I will share whatever information I can that might help you help your teenager get involved. For example, your teen might say, "I don't know anyone who goes there." That's a fair concern, but our group works hard at including everybody, so no one will feel out of place.  I will intentionally connect one of our regular students to specifically invite your son/daughter.  Please contact me (Pastor Paul), so that I can begin to work with you in ministering to your son/daughter.

Should parents get involved in the youth ministry?
While not every teen is excited to have their parent at a youth event, here at FBC, we look for ways to make this a family oriented youth ministry.  I personally get very excited when parents volunteer because there are so many benefits a parent brings to our ministry.  Parents have a natural love of teens and deeply care about their spiritual and social development.  Parents are often gaining important and valuable insights about teens and teen culture that can help shape our goals for the ministry.  Parents know the schedules of their child better than their child; this helps us set the best schedule.  Parents understand the need for safety and are helpful in setting appropriate boundaries at events.
As a parent, there are lots of ways you can support this youth ministry.  Just send me an email or give me a call to talk about options; it will make my day.  (P.S.) Many of the teens who haven’t wanted their parents volunteering, have later come to me and expressed their appreciation for what their parent did.  The benefits of getting involved outweigh and win over the reasons to stay home.

Are there any parent meetings?
Our goal is to host three parent meetings each year.  The agenda for these meetings includes: going over the youth schedule for the next several months, covering details for any upcoming big event, looking ahead over the next year and discussing vision and plans for ministry, praying for the students, and deepening our partnership with one another (parent to parent and parent to pastor). 

Schedule of Parent meetings:
August 27, 2008
January 4, 2009
May 20, 2009