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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/15/2009 3:30:02 PM
Posts: 3,
Visits: 11
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Over the past few years, our church has held some single day parenting seminars and workshops. We have talked about youth culture issues, watched some videos (PBS's "Growing up Online", Soul Searching-Teenagers and God), etc. These have usually been 5 or 6 hours, and have been poorly attended, but for the ones who have been there, worthwhile.
In mid-January, I am planning to hold an annual parent's meeting. Currently, our ministry is comprised of more than 50% non/un-churched kids. I want to use this time to engage the parents of these students, to talk about what God is doing, our plans for the year, etc. Also, in February during our Wednesday night group time, we're going to be using Interlinc's "New Sexuality" material, so I'd like to get their input on that as well.
What would you guys see as an ideal, realistic time frame that I should expect that would actually get parents to attend?
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.
"oh the toil a lie can bring
that quitters never know
but lies can be the perfect things
if they never show
the crisis posed a question
just beneath the skin
the virtue in my veins reply
that quitters never win "
-Pedro the Lion, "Never Leave a Job Half Done"
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Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/9/2009 11:16:23 AM
Posts: 78,
Visits: 64
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I always had poor parent attendance until I put parents in charge. Once the parents got on board they called other parents and decided on the food, details, ice breaker, etc. allowing me time to take care of the details I needed to cover. It worked great.
The parents planned a two hour meeting which included the meal. This approach quintupled our attendance.
5 or 6 hours is great for a seminar but for parent ministry, if fellowship and input and information is the purpose, a couple hours should work fine.
Our last meeting looked like this:
45 minutes for eating the meal
20 minutes for the ice breaker
30 minutes from me
25 minutes for dessert and fellowship
Andy
Reaching Students to Discover Life in Christ
www.theaddyouthpastor.com
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Forum Expert
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 8:18:26 PM
Posts: 81,
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Andy,
Excellent advise! I love the 2 hour schedule! 5-6 hours is way too long for parents. Excellent way to get them connected and educated.
Matt
Forum Moderator
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