Author Archives: M2P

9.1.24

Your September Resources Are Here!

You probably already know this, but it’s safe to say that we live in a very broken world. Can you feel it? Sure, there are several good things happening in the world around us, but if we look carefully, we can easily see the hurt and pain that the kids and parents we lead are dealing with regularly. As children’s ministry leaders, you know that for the parents in your ministry, leading a family in today’s world is incredibly challenging. Parents can often find themselves overwhelmed or at a loss for words and ideas as they navigate the complexities of everyday life. They feel lost and uncertain, and sometimes they just don’t know what they are doing.

The odds are that families in your ministry are continually confronted with issues, thoughts, and situations that they are not ready or equipped to handle. Because of this, many parents feel inadequate in their parenting or unsure how to help their children. Unfortunately, this creates an environment where parents pull back, avoid addressing the tough issues, and end up experiencing a different kind of pain as they move through the motions of family life.

As a children’s ministry leader, you have the opportunity to play a unique and crucial role in the lives of families. They look to you for spiritual guidance and direction, and they certainly need you when life is hard. Your presence matters, and you have the opportunity to see families in the middle of their pain, to be with them in their struggles, to encourage them with your words, and to lift them up in prayer. The calling you have goes way beyond the logistics of leading a ministry. It’s much more than that. It’s about paying attention to and supporting families as they attempt to navigate the challenges of this broken world.

In this month’s Coaching Video, we challenge you to look at the ministry you are leading through the lens of people and not through the lens of programs or events. Sure, we all know that people are the ministry, but when it comes to stepping into the pain and struggle that the parents and families we serve are feeling, it’s easy to want to shy away. As ministry leaders, we’re often so busy planning and producing that we can unknowingly or easily walk right past the hurt that exists all around us. In this month’s coaching videos, we encourage you to enter into the difficult situations your families are navigating and offer a few practical things you can do to help parents who are hurting in your ministry.

This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is from Carrie Bevell Partridge and is called When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads. It provides parents with a list of things to do when parenting hurts and a list of things for parents to remember as they encounter the inevitable pain and difficulty of family life. It’s full of practical ideas and advice for those hard seasons, and it points parents back to the Bible, encouraging them to lean into their relationship with God as they navigate the difficult situations, emotions, and circumstances of parenting.

Our Online Parenting Class features special guest Carrie Bevell Partridge. Carrie is a wife, mom, author, and all-around encourager. Carrie and her husband, Kevin, have walked a unique and challenging family journey, facing pain and struggle while maintaining resilience and faith. In our class this month, Carrie shares invaluable tips and encouragement for parents who find themselves feeling overwhelmed, and she points us all to the hope we can find in Jesus as we journey through family life. Carrie also joins us on Episode 083 of the M2P Podcast where she shares more of her story. Of course, Sass, Kerry, and Amy share some personal stories of their own and offer some insight for both ministry leaders and parents.

This month’s Blog Articles offer even more ideas and perspectives on how parents and church leaders can work through difficult situations and circumstances in healthy ways. There are some practical things we can do as ministry leaders to move forward in the midst of struggle, and these articles will help give some direction in that area and point to different Bible passages that can sustain us along the way. Finally, we have Social Media Posts that will encourage parents and help them look to Jesus for their strength and guidance.

Our hope is that the resources we provide for parents in your church and the coaching and encouragement we offer you as a leader will help you build the culture and ministry God has called you to lead. We’re honored to serve with you. Let us know what we can do to help!

The M2P Team

WHAT IS IT?

This month, we have a great resource for you to share with the parents of your church. It’s called When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads and is written by Carrie Bevell Partridge. Carrie is a wife, mom, author, and all-around encourager. When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads provides parents with a list of things to do when parenting hurts and things for parents to remember as they encounter the inevitable pain and difficulty of family life. It’s full of practical ideas and advice, and it points parents to the Bible, encouraging them to lean into their relationship with God as they navigate the difficult situations, emotions, and circumstances of parenting.

HOW TO USE IT

Download When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the resource and encourage them to take time to read it, process it, and keep it somewhere they will see it often as a reminder.
Print copies of the resource for parents to grab at your church and let them know where they can pick it up.
Share a copy of the resource with your ministry team and discuss it together.

To view or download, click HERE.

When you think about the most important thing you can do as you lead each week, what comes to mind? My guess is you run right to your “to-do” list and focus on all the things you feel like you need to get done. In this month’s Coaching Videos, we challenge you to focus first on the people you need to care for instead of the events or programs you need to plan and lead. Families have a lot going on. In the middle of all that they have going on, there are many families who are walking through hardship, hurt, or pain. As kids ministry leaders, we have the incredible privilege of shepherding those families throughout their lives. While we all acknowledge that people are at the heart of ministry, it’s easy to become so absorbed in planning and executing that we can overlook the pain and struggles surrounding us. Parents need us to see them, be there for them, and offer real and tangible support.

By prioritizing relationships and care, you can build a ministry and a church that genuinely connects with and uplifts those you serve. When we take the time to understand and enter into the struggles of the families in our communities, we reflect the compassion of Christ, and we create an environment where healing and growth can take place. This month’s coaching video is designed to help you bridge that gap, providing practical steps you can take to ensure your ministry is not just about what you do but about seeing people where they are and offering your presence, support, and love.

To view, click HERE.

This month’s Online Parenting Class features special guest Carrie Bevell Partridge. Carrie is a devoted wife, loving mom, accomplished author, and seasoned ministry leader with a powerful story to share. She candidly addresses some of the challenges that parents face and the pain they feel, offering valuable insights drawn from her own personal journey. Carrie’s experience as a mom who has been through several challenging seasons has led her to some timeless and practical advice that points to the Bible as a real source of strength, guidance, and comfort. Her wisdom can give both hope and encouragement to the parents in your church and help them lead their families with grace as they navigate the complexities of life today.

To view, click HERE.

New blog posts coming this month:

For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “Supporting Parents Who Are Hurting” by Amy Diller
For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “Hope in the Heartache” by Amy Diller
For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Supporting Parents Who Are Hurting” by Karin Sasser
For Youth Ministry Parents: “Parenting When Times Are Tough” by Karin Sasser

To view, click HERE.

Hope in the Hurt

When you think about the most important thing you can do as a children’s ministry leader, what comes to mind? My guess is you run right to your “to-do” list and focus on all the things you feel like you need to get done. In this month’s Coaching Video, we challenge you to focus first on the people you need to care for instead of the events and programs you need to plan and lead. The families in your ministry have a lot going on, and as children’s ministry leaders, we have the privilege of shepherding these families who are often struggling or in some sort of pain. As ministry leaders, we have the incredible privilege to shepherd those families throughout their lives. While we all acknowledge that people are at the heart of ministry, it’s easy to become so absorbed in planning and executing that we can overlook the pain and struggles surrounding us. Parents need us to see them, be there for them, and offer real and tangible support.

By prioritizing relationships and care, you can build a children’s ministry and a church that genuinely connects with and uplifts those you serve. When we take the time to understand and enter into the struggles of the families in our communities, we reflect the compassion of Christ, and we create an environment where healing and growth can take place. This month’s coaching video is designed to help you bridge that gap, providing practical steps you can take to ensure your ministry is not just about what you do but about seeing people where they are and offering your presence, support, and love.

Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!

When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads

WHAT IS IT?

HOW TO USE IT

Download When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the resource and encourage them to take time to read it, process it, and keep it somewhere they will see it often as a reminder.
Print copies of the resource for parents to grab at your church and let them know where they can pick it up.
Share a copy of the resource with your ministry team and discuss it together.

Having Hope When Parenting Hurts

EMAIL 1

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: What to Do When Parenting Hurts

Dear Parents,

We all know that life can be incredibly challenging, and with those challenges often comes pain. As parents, especially of young children, these challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming. The love you have for your child is immense, yet the journey of parenting is filled with moments that can bring heartache and strain. Whether it’s dealing with a tough tantrum, navigating a difficult phase, or simply facing the daily demands of parenthood, parenting can sometimes just plain hurt.

So, where do you turn when you feel the pain of parenting? How do you find the strength to keep moving forward, to make the right decisions, and to navigate the tough moments? It’s important to remember that you are not alone in this journey. We understand the unique struggles you face, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

This month’s Online Parenting Class will offer you guidance on what to do when parenting becomes difficult. We are providing you with a helpful resource titled, When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads from Carrie Bevell Partridge. Carrie and her husband are parents who have walked a unique and challenging family journey, facing pain and struggle while maintaining resilience and faith. Carrie has provided invaluable tips and encouragement for parents who find themselves feeling overwhelmed. We hope this month’s resources will provide you with practical tools and spiritual encouragement to help you lead your children—and yourself—through these trying times.

Please know that we are here for you, ready to listen, pray, and walk alongside you. Don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know how we can support you along the way.

To watch this month’s video or download the Toolbox Resource, click on the links below.

[ INSERT LINK TO ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

[ INSERT LINK TO TOOLBOX RESOURCE ]

Don’t ever hesitate to reach out if we can do anything for you!

[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]

EMAIL 2

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: Parenting Through the Pain

Dear Parents,

As you navigate the journey of family life, you will undoubtedly face some challenging and painful moments. Your child might have a difficult day (or two or three), and you’ll find yourself helping them navigate their thoughts and feelings. Relationships that were once lighthearted and joyful may sometimes become strained and challenging. The pressures and brokenness of the world around us can seep into your family, making it feel like you’re caught in a real struggle.

We want you to know that these experiences are a normal part of parenting. In many ways, raising children comes with its own set of hurts. But take heart—there is always hope. God is right there with you, ready to guide you through these tough times. Every challenge in parenting, no matter how overwhelming, is an opportunity for growth and a deeper connection with your child and with God.

This month, we’ve gathered some valuable resources to help you navigate these tough times and equip you with tools to use when the challenges feel too heavy to bear. Be sure to check out our Parent Toolbox Resource this month, which includes a free resource from Carrie Bevell Partridge titled, When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads. Carrie provides a list of things to do when parenting hurts and things for parents to remember as they encounter the inevitable pain and difficulty of family life. We are also providing you with an article titled Hope In The Heartache that will encourage you on your journey through parenting and remind you that you are not alone. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need further support. We’re here for you, ready to walk alongside you through every season.

To watch this month’s video, download the Toolbox Resource, or read the Article, click on the links below.

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P PARENTING ARTICLE ]

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

[ INSERT LINK TO TOOLBOX RESOURCE ]

Cheering you on as you parent your students!

[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]

M2P KIDS September Parent Video Script

Hey parents. One of the things that we know is hard. These little kids we have in our house, they aren’t always perfect, and oftentimes, we can feel some pain and some struggle in the midst of our parenting. Well, this month, we have a special guest who is going to be able to share with you and encourage you. Her name is Carrie Bevell Partridge, and Carrie is a writer, and author, a mom, and a wife, and she has some great resources. She has a book called Growth Spurts that can be really helpful for you. But she has an incredible story, and Carrie is going to be able to encourage you this month as you seek to parent your kids well.

Hi, parents. My name is Carrie, and I just wanted to offer you some encouragement in your parenting journey today. My husband and I have five children between the ages of 17 and 23, so they’re not little bitties anymore, but we are still very much in the trenches of parenting. And I’m here to tell you from experience that there are a lot of days that parenting just hurts. It’s because we love our children so much and when you love someone so much you risk being hurt so much. Sometimes the hurt comes because of choices our kids are making. Sometimes, it’s just because we’re different from them, and sometimes it’s because of circumstances beyond our control. But we are guaranteed that there will be days that parenting hurts.

During those tough seasons here’s a verse that I keep in mind. It’s Romans 12:12. It’s not necessarily about parenting, but I believe it still applies. It says, “Be joyful in hope, be patient and affliction, be faithful in prayer.” I believe that our God is a God of hope. He gives it to us and to our children, and we never need to lose that, and that is where our joy can be found. The second part is “be patient in affliction.” We are guaranteed that there will be affliction. There will be hard days, but we can be patient through it, concentrating on that hope that the Lord offers to us. And the last part, “be faithful in prayer.” Sometimes we treat this as a last resort when it should be our first priority. And we don’t need to wait until things are difficult with our kids before we start talking to the Lord about these things. We should be in constant conversation with God about our children, about our parenting.

I also want to encourage you during these tough seasons to not forget to think about what the Lord has to show you during these times. It’s not just about our kids. I believe that the Lord uses all things. They’re often for our refinement and our growth. So, I want you to pay attention to that too. But most of all, I want you to know that you’re not alone. You have people in your church family. I hope that you have friends, extended family, others you can call on when you need support because you do need this. This parenting journey is tough, and we need each other. So, remember you’re not alone. Remember be joyful in hope, be patient in affliction, and be faithful in prayer.

8.1.24

Your August Resources Are Here!

I don’t know about you, but it sometimes feels like an uphill battle when it comes to influencing our kids today. As children’s ministry leaders, we work hard to build fun and exciting programs and events in our churches that will entice them to join us. We spend time developing solid, biblical content that will help them learn about the one true God who loves them. Now, we all know that one of the most important things we can do is help our kids build the relationships they need that will encourage them in their faith. The culture we live in is trying to push this generation away from knowing and following Jesus. Culture tries to push this generation to chase after fame, fortune, and pleasure. But what if we were able to surround the adolescents in our churches, homes, and communities with a “great cloud of witnesses” that will love and challenge them into a real-life of faith?

In talking about a “cloud of witnesses,” the book of Hebrews tells us that the purpose of having people in our lives who are speaking truth to us is so that we can “Run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV).” That’s exactly what we want for the parents and kids in our church. We want parents to be equipped to teach and model this at home. We want their kids to learn how to run their race while focusing on Jesus, and they need help doing that. They need many voices speaking to them on behalf of God, helping them process what they are seeing, hearing, and learning along the way.

This month’s Coaching Video encourages you to not only be one of the voices that kids in your church can trust but also to help encourage parents to learn how to place the voices their own kids need into their lives. Life moves fast, and helping our kids build healthy adult relationships can be tough. However, we know that when they have role models that point them to Jesus, it makes a huge difference in their spiritual growth. As children’s ministry leaders, we have the opportunity to develop other leaders and place them in the lives of the children we lead. This month’s coaching videos encourage you to do just that.

We have a great Parent Toolbox Resource from our friend Rich Griffith. Rich is a pastor, professor, author, and parent, and he has a passion for discipling the next generation. In the toolbox, you will find an article he wrote titled Ways to Disciple Your Children “As You Go” which gives parents some practical and insightful ideas on how to lead their children into a deeper faith in the midst of everyday life. Rich’s words meet parents where they are in the everyday hustle and bustle of life and provide everyday moments where parents can disciple their children. Rich also joins us on episode 82 of the M2P Podcast to talk about this idea and his book Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel.

Our Online Parenting Class encourages parents to pay attention to the voices that their kids are listening to and helps equip them to surround their children with the healthy role models they need. This month’s Blog Articles come alongside both you and the parents you serve to help you think through how you can help the kids in your church learn how to listen to God through listening to the right voices around them. As always, we have Social Media Posts that will help you reinforce this concept to your parents.

We’re honored to partner with you!

The M2P Team

WHAT IS IT?

This month, pastor, professor, author, and parent Rich Griffith has provided a resource that will help parents think through practical ways they can best guide their children along their spiritual journey. The article is titled Ways to Disciple Your Children “As You Go” and it gives some specific and practical ideas for how parents can disciple their kids in their home, in their church, and in their community to better equip them for a life of faith. Oftentimes, parents can miss out on the everyday moments that God has already given them, and Rich’s insight helps parents begin to understand that this is something they can begin to slowly apply in their own lives. Much of what Rich focuses on comes from Deuteronomy 6 and its encouragement to make the things of God and the Word of God a part of our everyday lives.

HOW TO USE IT

Download the article and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the resource and encourage them to set aside some time to read it, process the questions, and even share it with other parents.
Print copies of the resource for parents to grab at church.
Consider ordering some copies of Rich’s book Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel and have it available at your church.

To view or download, click HERE.

This month, we are talking to you and your team about the importance of surrounding kids with helpful and healthy voices that will encourage them in their spiritual journey and point them to a real and growing relationship with Jesus. As children’s ministry leaders, we have the opportunity to be more than just someone who runs the programs at church; we are a real voice of hope to the families we get to lead. Our hope is that as we build relationships with kids, they will be more likely to trust us and open up about the real issues they are facing in their lives. When that happens, we have earned the right to speak into their lives and help them process their life, thoughts, and faith. We can also work towards developing a strategy to train other influential people who will be speaking to our kids. When parents see us (and our church) as allies in speaking truth to their own children, the relationships grow, and the ministry deepens.

To view, click HERE.

Here’s the truth: parents need help. Parents need help thinking and dreaming about where and how they might parent today, tomorrow, and in the years to come. More importantly, parents need reminders that they cannot do this alone. They need help from you and others. Parents need to welcome other influential voices into the lives of their kids. Kids are being shaped in so many ways, and parents need what Hebrews calls a “cloud of witnesses” around them as they grow up. These witnesses can have a tremendous influence on the spiritual growth of kids and can model what it looks like to live a life of faith. In order for these voices to be active and present, parents need to do a few things themselves to surround their children with the people they need in their lives. This month’s video gives parents practical tips on how to place positive voices in the lives of their kids and challenges parents to make choices today that will have an eternal impact.

To view, click HERE.

New blog posts coming this month:

For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “Soak Up God’s Word” by Amy Diller
For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “Filter Out the Noise” by Amy Diller
For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Who’s in Your Cloud?” by Chris Sasser
For Youth Ministry Parents: “Embracing Identity Through Community” by Chris Sasser

To view, click HERE.

Developing the Voices Your Kids Need

This month, we want to encourage you and the leaders of your children’s ministry team to focus on equipping the voices the kids in your church need to develop an authentic faith. Think about these questions: When you think about the kids in your church and what they are listening to as they grow and develop, what comes to mind? Are they listening to people they follow on social media, their peers, or other worldly influencers? Or do they have a few people speaking into their lives who are the healthy voices they need? There is no doubt that we live in an age where there are tons of voices speaking to this generation. As leaders, we certainly want to empower parents as the primary voice of influence for their kids, but as their kids grow and begin to live more and more in the real world, both positive and negative voices emerge. Friends, teachers, coaches, neighbors, and extended family members all have influence over our kids. In order to grow up to be healthy mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, the kids in our church need to hear solid, encouraging voices that can help them build a foundation of faith that can sustain them for the long term.

In this month’s Coaching Video, we talk to you and your team about the importance of surrounding kids with helpful and healthy voices that will encourage them in their spiritual journey and point them to a real and growing relationship with Jesus. As children’s ministry leaders, we have the opportunity to be more than just someone who runs the programs at church; we are a real voice of hope to the families we get to lead. Our hope is that as we build relationships with kids, they will be more likely to trust us and open up about the real issues they are facing in their lives. When that happens, we have earned the right to speak into their lives and help them process their life, thoughts, and faith. We can also work towards developing a strategy to train other influential people who will be speaking to our kids. When parents see us (and our church) as allies in speaking truth to their own children, the relationships grow, and the ministry deepens.

The truth is kids need tons of encouragement, and the best way we can give them the encouragement they need is through healthy relationships that speak truth and love. As they continue to build their identity and settle on who they are, the voices that are in their lives really matter. As children’s ministry leaders, we have the privilege of being a trusted voice and facilitating relationships that can help build other trusted voices that they will need to listen to for years to come.

Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!

Ways to Disciple Your Children “As You Go”

WHAT IS IT?

HOW TO USE IT

Download the article and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the resource and encourage them to set aside some time to read it, process the questions, and even share it with other parents.
Print copies of the resource for parents to grab at church.
Consider ordering some copies of Rich’s book Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel and have it available at your church.

Surrounding Your Kids with a Great Cloud of Witnesses

EMAIL 1

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: Surrounding Your Kids

Dear Parents,

When you think about how your kids are being shaped and influenced, what comes to mind? What are the voices that are coming their way? What are those voices saying, and where are they leading them? Of course, you kids have to listen to you in lots of ways, but when it comes to learning about God and growing in their faith, are there other voices present in their lives? Are there other people you trust who are building relationships with your kids in order to speak the truth to them?

This month’s Online Parenting Class will help you to think through whether your kids are surrounded by the voices they need to be hearing and share some things you can do to intentionally surround them with the people in their lives who will encourage them in the right direction. As a parent, you have the opportunity and arguably the responsibility to put your kids in proximity with voices that will help them move along in their journey of life. Now, it’s no secret that this takes work and effort on your part, but it’s so worth it in the long run. This month, you’ll find a practical resource by Rich Griffith on how to disciple your kids. In life, it is easy to get caught up in the mundane and routines and miss out on the moments God has already given you to disciple your kids. Be sure to take time to read through the linked PDF below to find some practical ways you can either start or grow in when it comes to discipleship in your home. Rich is a long-time pastor, author, parent, and professor. He has spent many years focusing his ministry on parenting and ways parents can disciple children. He has some great insight!

To watch this month’s video or download the Toolbox Resource, click on the links below.

[ INSERT LINK TO ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

[ INSERT LINK TO TOOLBOX RESOURCE ]

Cheering you on and here to help however we can!

[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]

EMAIL 2

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Dear Parents,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” This encouragement comes from the New Testament book of Hebrews in chapter 12, verses 1-2, and clearly reminds us that we all need people in our lives who will push us in the right direction. As parents, you need outside voices in your lives speaking into who you are and where you are going. And guess what? If you need it, so do your kids!

This month, we have several great resources that can help you as you seek to disciple your children. We all know this isn’t something that happens on its own or even easily. It takes time, effort, and encouragement along the way. Don’t forget to check out the Parent Toolbox Resource this month, which includes a free resource from Rich Griffith titled “Ways to Disciple Your Children “As You Go.” Rich provides several practical steps you can begin to do in your home to better disciple your kids. We are also providing you with an article titled Filter Out The Noise that will remind you of the spiritual filter you are for your children. Your children have many voices that speak into them, but they still need help filtering out what is helpful, hurtful, or wise. So, as parents, what are some steps you can take to help filter out those voices? Be sure to read through this article to help filter out the noise for your children!

To watch this month’s video, download the Toolbox Resource, or read the Blog Article, click on the links below.

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P PARENTING BLOG ARTICLE ]

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

[ INSERT LINK TO TOOLBOX RESOURCE ]

Thank you for letting us partner with your family! Let us know if there is ever anything we can do for you or your family!

Praying for you as you lead at home,

[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]

M2P KIDS August Parent Video Script

So, here’s my guess. If you’re watching this video, you likely have younger kids and you are just trying to survive day to day. I can remember when we were in that phase of life, and someone told us the phrase: “The days are long, but the years are short.” You’ve likely heard some version of this in your parenting journey … “Don’t blink because it’ll soon be over.” Well, let me give you another phrase or principle that might apply to you when it comes to our conversation today: “Begin with the end in mind.” When it comes to the long-term faith development of your child, you are somewhere near the beginning, and I want to paint a picture for you of where you might want to be, not necessarily at the end but several years down the road.

Our daughter recently graduated from high school, and it’s been a fun few months going through a lot of really special events. We recognize that we’re not at the end of our parenting, but we are at the end of a very important season. Probably the most meaningful event we’ve been a part of as we’ve wrapped up high school was a dinner we hosted at our house where we invited a group of women who have been loving and leading her in different ways over the last number of years. It was two women who had been leading her small group at church for the last seven years. It was a young lady who works in the children’s ministry at our church, where our daughter has been serving for a few years. There were a few members of the student ministry staff at our church who have been pouring into her. It was a few family friends who have been a part of her life for a long time. And there was my wife and me. We had dinner together, and then we moved into a time of sharing. We had asked all of these women to write a letter to our daughter and speak some words of encouragement to her as she was finishing this chapter of her life. We wanted for some of the people who have had a tremendous impact on her to have a chance to share what they see in her and how she has grown in her faith. These were some voices that had been speaking into her life for years, and my wife and I were so thankful for that event and for the years and years of investment into our daughter.

Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as the “faith hall of fame.” It’s where the writer talks about a lot of people like Moses, Abraham, and Noah … people who scripture says were “commended for their faith.” Then, chapter 12:1-2 says this: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

The story I described to you is a great cloud of witnesses that have been around my daughter as she has grown up. These women, along with a lot of other people, have provided consistent, healthy, faith-filled voices that have had a tremendous impact on my daughter, and a lot of these relationships started when she was just a kid. Our son, who is a few years older than her, had a similar group of men in his life and we were able to have a similar dinner for him when he graduated high school.

The purpose of these witnesses, these voices is to help our kids learn how to run with perseverance the race marked out for them. My wife and I have been praying that our kids would learn how to fix their eyes on Jesus, and these men and women have been instrumental in pushing them in that direction.

So, my encouragement for you today is to do everything you can to start the process of surrounding your kids with witnesses like these. Find people who are the voices you want your kids listening to and put your kids in proximity with them. Now is the time to start doing this. We all know that there are a lot of voices speaking into the lives of our children, voices like friends, coaches, and teachers. And, as your kids continue to grow up in the technological world we all live in, there will be lots of voices online. I know you want to shelter them from these voices as long as you can, but they will know about and follow people on YouTube and eventually on other social media platforms. There will be lots of voices that are speaking into their lives for sure so, as parents, we need to make sure that they are listening to the right voices as they grow and develop.

How do you make sure your child is surrounded by healthy, faith-filled voices? Well, you have to know and build relationships with healthy and faith-filled voices. This can be at your church or, in the community, or in your extended family. You have the capacity to essentially turn a dial in your kid’s life and insert some really important voices. But this does take work and sacrifice on your part. If you want for some of the people at your church to be key voices in the life of your child, then you need to be a real part of your church. You need to be invested in both the organization of the church and the people in the church so your child can have more opportunities to rub shoulders with and get to know people who can pour into them over the years.

Last thing. I would also encourage you to help your child value having healthy, trusted voices in their life. Help them understand that who they are listening to will have a tremendous impact on their thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Help them embrace Proverbs 13:20, that says this, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” We want for our kids to not suffer harm, and we want them to grow wise, and part of the way they grow wise is to, yes, be surrounded by their peers who are walking in the right direction, but to also be surrounded by adult voices that are helping them grow wise in the Lord.

Our kids have a lot of voices coming their way, and sometimes, we have very little control over the influence of these voices. We, as their parents, have the opportunity, and I would argue the responsibility to surround them with a great cloud of witnesses who are being the trusted voices that our kids desperately need!

7.1.24

Your July Resources Are Here!

When it comes to leading kids in your church or in your home, it’s not likely that you experience a perpetual state of “kumbaya.” In life, we all seem to continually bump into each other, both physically and metaphorically. Conflict (like aging and making mistakes) is inevitable, and one of the keys to being able to both survive and thrive through it all is learning how to not only have the right conversations but also lean into those conversations when they arise.

Now, we all know it can be hard to have deep, meaningful conversations with our kids. They are often distracted or just not in the mood to talk about the things we need to talk about. Add in the layers of conflict, emotion, and our seemingly perpetual state of busyness that exists, and it’s no wonder that conversations are avoided, feelings get stuffed down, hurt grows, and relationships suffer. But what if we could all learn how to live life in a different way? What if we, as children’s ministry leaders or as parents, were intentional about developing the skills we need to lead into and lean into these important conversations with our kids and teenagers?

This month’s Coaching Video will offer some very practical advice to you as a children’s ministry leader on how to frame some of the more difficult conversations and grow in your own leadership. How we communicate as a ministry leader matters, and we all need to lean into having healthy conversations as we seek to live and lead together. Additionally, the parents in our churches often struggle to lead their families into helpful and healthy conversations, and this month’s video give you some tools to lean into the opportunity you have to help parents learn and grow in this area of life.

We have a great Parent Toolbox Resource from our friend and this month’s M2P Podcast guest, Patti Pilkington Reed. Patti is the author of the book Face to Face: Smart Conversations with Yourself, Your Teenager, and Your Young Adult. Patti is graciously providing you and the parents in your church with a downloadable PDF reflection titled “Their Voice.” If you are worried because the title says, “teenager and young adult,” don’t be. In this resource, Patti shares some thoughts and a few thought-provoking questions that are applicable to children of all ages concerning the importance of parents affirming the voice of their child as they grow and develop their own voice.

Our Online Parenting Class will equip the parents in your span of care with some practical principles to use as they navigate having the real conversations they need to have at home with their kids. These ideas are rooted in Scripture and give parents a lens through which to view how they are leading their family. This month’s Blog Articles look at this month’s topic from a different perspective and will encourage both you and the parents in your church. Don’t forget about your Social Media Posts, as they will help you elevate the conversation about how to have healthy conversations.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 ESV

We’re honored to be in this with you!

The M2P Team

WHAT IS IT?

This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a downloadable PDF reflection titled “Their Voice” from author and leader Patti Pilkington Reed. This resource is based on her book Face to Face: Smart Conversations with Yourself, Your Teenager, and Your Young Adult. In this resource, Patti shares some thoughts and a few thought-provoking questions concerning the importance of affirming the voice of your kids as they grow and develop their own voice through their opinions, desires, passions, and thoughts. Parents often struggle to talk to and connect with their children, and this reflection offers practical ideas and encourages parents to consider what is happening both in them and in their kids. It’s a great tool that will help parents strengthen the bond they have with their children and potentially open helpful lines of communication.

HOW TO USE IT

Download the PDF reflection from Patti Pilkington Reed and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the resource and encourage them to set aside some time to read it, process the questions, and even share it with other parents.
Print copies of the resource for parents to grab at church.
Share a copy of the PDF download with your children’s ministry team and discuss it together.
Consider ordering some copies of Patti’s book Face to Face: Smart Conversations with Yourself, Your Teenager, and Your Young Adult, and have it available at your church.

To view or download, click HERE.

This month, we are talking about healthy ways to navigate an issue that we all have to deal with at some point or another: conflict. Sure, we all wish we could live in a world without conflict, but that’s just not a reality in a fallen and broken world. We are inevitably going to face conflict in our jobs, at our churches, within our relationships, and in our homes. We can try to run from conflict, dodge conflict, or just ignore conflict altogether and hope it goes away. These are the approaches that many people often take, yet none of them are healthy, nor do they prevent conflict from taking place. However, there are some principles we can all embrace as we seek to navigate conflict in a healthy and productive way, and our Coaching Video will challenge you and the team you lead to evaluate how you deal with conflict and encourage you to help the parents in your church develop healthy patterns as they lead their family. This month is essentially a conversation about, well, conversations. If we can all learn how to talk to each other in ways that bring healing and unity, then we can better handle the conflicts we face and build stronger relationships with those we care about.

To view, click HERE.

When it comes to navigating conflict and conversations with kids, there are some big-picture things that parents can do, as well as some specific practices that will hopefully lead families into helpful and healthy conversations. How parents frame and step into these conversations really matters, and there are certain principles they can apply to be more intentional about building the skills and relationships they need to weather the storms of conflict they will encounter. As is true with so many things, when it comes to parenting, the strength of the relationships a family has plays a critical role in how people will navigate the conflict and conversations that arise. However, resolution and reconciliation are possible if parents and kids learn how to navigate these issues well.

To view, click HERE.

New blog posts coming this month:

For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “Let’s Talk: 8 Ways to Connect Through Meaningful Conversations” by Amy Diller
For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “Two Cans and a String: Building Strong Connections Through Conversations” by Amy Diller
For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Connecting Through Conversations” by Karin Sasser
For Youth Ministry Parents: “From Conflict to Connection: Engaging With Your Teenager” by Karin Sasser

To view, click HERE.

Navigating Conflict Through Healthy Conversations

This month, we want to talk with you and the leaders of your children’s ministry team about some healthy ways to navigate an issue that we all have to deal with at some point or another: conflict. Sure, we all wish we lived in a world without conflict, but that’s just not reality in our fallen and broken world. We are inevitably going to face conflict in our jobs, at our churches, within our relationships, on our teams, and even in our own homes. We can try to run from conflict, dodge conflict, or just ignore conflict altogether and hope it goes away. These are the approaches that many people often take, yet none of them are healthy, nor do they prevent conflict from taking place. We all need to learn how to lean in and have helpful, healthy conversations that will lead us to the stronger relationships we desire. At times, we might even need to reframe our thoughts as we deal with difficult situations and people and approach conflicts and conversations in different ways.

In this month’s Coaching Video, we’ll share a few strategies for navigating the inevitable conflicts we all encounter in life and equip you with a few practical principles to help you manage and resolve conflicts in healthy ways. We will also teach you some principles that we can all embrace as we seek to navigate conflict and that you can use to help the parents in your church develop healthy patterns as they lead their own kids at home. Our hope is that you and your team will learn to recognize and equip parents with the knowledge that conflict, when approached with the right mindset, can be a catalyst for growth and deeper understanding. If we can all learn how to talk to each other in ways that bring healing and unity, then we can better handle the conflicts we face and build stronger relationships with those we care about.

Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!