My Response to Student Ministry Panel at D6
One of the sessions at D6 this year was a Student Ministry Panel from student ministers from a variety of churches. You can view some of the dialog here . While I agreed with much of the content, there was something missing. As a former youth pastor myself, I struggled with how to engage parents in ministry with students. Several volunteered to help out with activities, but I was not sure how involved they were in passing on faith at home. I tried seminars such Understanding Your Teenager and other parenting classes, but the only ones that showed up were parents that seemed to being doing well at home. I knew there must be a better way. I hoped that this panel would give me new ideas to share, but I heard a lot of the same "excuses" youth pastors have been using for years. I realize that teenagers are separating from their parents, but does that mean the parent does not have influence any longer. I know our teenagers need other voices ...