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Last Login: 6/30/2008 9:37:59 PM
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| Sort of getting back to the original comment about parent's priorities on sports being different than church. I see that not just for the "elite" but for average parents as well and would like to find ways to maybe "nudge" parents gently to help them see that. Example: We have parents of small children (ages 6, 7) who are just getting involved in sports, not at a competitive level. These parents have complained to my boss, the CM, for 2 years that our midweek programming lasted until 7:30--too late for children. Some took their kids out all together, some just complained and talked to other parents, and made a big deal. This year, these very same parents enrolled their children in the church run basketball league. It's practices were from 7-8pm mid-week. My husband happens to be the coach of this team. *One* parent asked *once* if the time of practice could be earlier. My husband said the times were set in stone because of all teams that had to be accommodated. That was all he heard. All the families showed up every time, without incidence.
My point is only that often times, parents feel like sports are non-negotiable. There children are going to do them because it's important for their development both social and physical. How can we, as partners with parents gently make the parallel of church being a non-negotiable--that it's important for their development both spiritual and social. I really do almost want to SAY this to parents when they come to us. Anyone already to this? |
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Last Login: Yesterday @ 5:43:30 PM
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| Boy, I HEAR YA! What a great example of a double standard! 7:30pm is too late for Spiritual development, but negotiable for sports, hum?
I think we ALL would love to tell parents that our programs for spiritual development are non-negotiable. It's a dream up there with adults competing for Sunday School teaching positions!
However, when I awake from my dreams, I'm reminded that Jesus would not approve... "Let he who has ears, let him hear." He was always after the pharisees who had rules and reg.'s for everything and empty hearts and minds closed to God's grace and love. (Could you imagine what it would have been like to be in the Sadduces/Pharisee's little league? much less their synagogue schools?)
Seriously, I may feel tempted to create rules and reg.'s that require or guilt parents to be sure to bring their child to church, but I realize Jesus would rather I continue to pray for, invite, influence and encourage parents to make spiritual development their number one priority. Rules, reg.'s, requiring and guilting may fill the chairs, but will do little to change their hearts.
That said, I don't think we are called to stand silently by without challenging parents hearts by gently pointing out the inconsistencies in their choices. I would hope that I would be bold enough to open the lines of communication with parents and ask, "Why the double standard?" I'd LOVE to hear how they are rationalizing that one?
Lisa B from NC |
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