To keep parents engaged in your children's ministry is vital for a number of reasons. First, parents are the primary spiritual nurturers of their children and the work of a children's ministry is to support parents in their task; parents therefore must be involved and engaged. Secondly, parents have the biggest investment in their children's spiritual health. Therefore, involved parents are your biggest supporters. Thirdly, children are blessed when parents are involved because through parental participation children perceive and receive the spiritual support, encouragement and direction of the most significant people in their lives.
Here's how you can keep parents engaged.
1. A regular email update outlining what's happening in Children's ministry.
2. A regular article in the newsletter that underlines the importance of children's ministry as well as updating what is happening.
3. Invite a parent as a special guest to speak about their faith or topic at hand.
4. Invite parents to volunteer to provide food or do other acts of service at the children's ministry.
5. Create a roster of parents to pray for the children's ministry. If possible include some specific prayer requests for any given week.
6. Phone or speak directly to parents at least once a year specifically about their child's participation in your children's ministry. Ask if there are any concerns, encouragements or blessings to share; give feedback and share your insights into their child's spiritual growth.
7. Create 'take home sheets' that provide further activities, discussion questions, etc that enable parents to engage with their children.
8. Heighten the profile of children and you children's ministry in church services. For example, make sure they are prayed for (how about a specific prayer by the elder before they go to Sunday school?). Or have a dedicated children's service. Or engage children in the service of the church in such things as greeting, taking up the offering, leading in prayer, the music team or serving after church.
9. Commission the children's ministry team and invite them regularly to 'report' in church services or congregational meetings.
10. Schedule group meetings with parents once or twice a year to discuss the direction and plan for the children's ministry. Get their input and share how they can support the ministry.
Any other ideas?
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