DIRT Blog

Matthew (my teen son) and I have decided we need an International Word Consortium. The world has been communicating long enough to realize some words just do not fit where they are being used. We need to do some word swapping here and there to clean things up a bit.

We decided to start by swapping "Pygmy" for "Papaya". Think about it, "Pygmy" does not sound very nice when referring to people. But "Papaya" now that's a great sounding word that rolls sweetly off the tongue. "We are taking the Gospel to the Papayas" sound so much nicer than, "We're taking the Gospel to the Pygmies." On the other hand, "Pygmy" is the perfect name for a fruit. "Get your pygmy fruit, low in calories and high in anitoxidents!" No offence there at all.

So ask yourself, what words in your vocabulary need to be swapped when you are talking about students in your youth group? Maybe you say he's a "troublemaker" when a better word might be "energetic". Full of energy to do something, so give him something to do before he gets in trouble doing something! Maybe you call her a "flirt" when a better term might be "outgoing". Put her in charge of your social networking and watch the youth group grow.

Make this down: However you see them greatly impacts reality because you are an influencer to those around you. If you want to go deeper read this from last October - "Students Need the Bar High".

HOW DO YOU REACH THE PARENTS?
That is a tough question. Your ministry is primarily to students but the fact is, it's also an open door into the lives of the entire family, especially the parents. Do you have students whose parents are "Unchurched", "Pre-Christian", "Unsaved" or just plain "Lost"? However you want to describe it, we all know students who attend the youth group alone, love the Lord, love the church experience, but have to return home to a very lonely spiritual life.

YOUR MINISTRY CAN REACH PARENTS
After all, you are probably the only one that has such an open door. You share with those parents something very special... their teenager. Because you are important in that student's life, you now have the parents within your realm of influence, so why not take advantage of that door while it is open to you.

PARENT'S APPRECIATION NIGHT
This is a great way to reach out to all your parents, and especially to those who would never come to church otherwise.  Think about it, everyone wants to be appreciated. So why not have a special event to recognize the parents of your students. Plan a night so special that they cannot not resist attending! Start by sending them a nice invitation (hand addressed, assuring they will open it). In that invitation be sure to mention that you will honor them with a gift, then go anywhere and purchase $5 gift cards for every parent that attends. Yes, ministry cost money! See how creative you can make the gift while keeping within your budget.

Properly planned, this night can also be a great help to you in accomplishing ministry responsibilities like having a Q & A for parents, handing out current schedules and updating permission forms and medical information. I have always used yearly medical and behavioral forms in my ministry, requiring they be notarized and resubmitted around September of each year. The need for notarizing the forms becomes another incentive to get parents to attend on this special night. You let them know that a Notary will be on hand to accomplish this task. Most parents will be compelled to come because of the convenience of an otherwise time consuming chore of finding a Notary.

PLAN THIS TWICE EACH YEAR
March is good because it leads into summer. School will soon be out and parents are looking for ways to keep their students active and busy while they are working each day. So, in March you want to share all your summer plans. I believe many youth pastor/directors miss a great opportunity to grow their ministry by thinking summer should be ramped down instead of up. Take advantage of summer. This is when the students are searching for things to do!

August is also a great time because this leads into a new school year and a new church year. This is the perfect time to draw everyone back in and set the agenda for the coming year. I like to call this the "End of the Summer Party". It's a good opportunity to cast your ministry vision to the parents and provide the schedule for the new year.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?
Well you can make it whatever you want. Whatever feels right for your world, but remember that you must genuinely love on the parents and appreciate them. Everyone is looking for love and appreciation! With all said, here is a short list of things you can incorporate...

- OPEN MIC talent - Most parents can't resist seeing their student preform on stage.
- DOOR PRIZES - This is a great way to gather information from the parents by providing a registration card to win "Valuable Prizes!"
- PARENT APPRECIATION - Anything from a gift card to a computer generated certificate works. Be creative.
- FOOD - The way to a man's Parent's heart is through their stomach.
- CHRIST - Be sure to present the Gospel in an interesting way. This might be your only opportunity to introduce Christ.

HAVE FUN!
I have conducted many parent appreciation mights and every one was awesome and fun for all. The bottom line is be creative, make it fun, and leave them wanting more by not keeping them too long! Save the refreshments for last which allows some to slip out while others can stay as long as they like.

Now I have one request.  When you do your first "Parent's Appreciation Night" I want to hear all about it. I know you will come up with some great ideas that I can share with others. After all, the D.I.R.T. CREW is your ministry and I want your fingerprints all over it!