Engaging Unchurched Parents of Churched Youth & Children

[Lucas E. Randall]

One of my church's current needs is to better engage the unchurced parents of youth and children who regularly attend our programs and services. The children of many of these parents are picked up and dropped of by a church bus on Sundays.

I'm looking for advice and success stories! Please reply.

[Casey Young]

Lucas,

I have only worked with my youth group at the church where I grew up. It was a small church so many of the parents were involved with the church. This has been a thought of mine as well. What can you do? These are a few ideas that come to mind. First I might try to encourage the children and youth to tell their parents exactly what they learn at church, the activities they participate in, and friends they make. This shows the parents that the church they attend is a welcoming place. Second, is it possible to get information for the youth/children, so you can contact parents and let them know what a joy it is to have their child/youth and let them know they are always welcome in a way that doesn't feel like you are trying to push "church" on them. Third, what if the church held an event the children/youth participate in. This might be a great way to bring the parents into the church. I know this is a very tough thing to do. I also know that many children/youth come from so many types of families and backgrounds, and it may not be as easy as the items I have listed above. Prayer and genuine love are a great start in solving the "missing parents" problem that is occurring in our churches. I hope this can help in anyway.

[Robb Hand]

I could only offer some suggestions that may work.
You could try having a Parent Appreciation Dinner. You might also try riding the bus sometimes and getting some face time in with the parents. Remember to keep in mind that your ministry to the students must include ministry to the parents.

[Teresa Keeler]

I would suggest calling the parents and letting them know a little about yourself. You may also include some of the things their children have been learning, how well their children are doing and ask if they have any questions. They may also need answers to some of the questions their children have been asking them. Then invite them to a special service to get them in the doors of the church.

[kenny udokporo]

The suggestion i would like to offer might not work out easily here in the states, but it has been the only way we battled with this issue in my country. What we always do is to invite the parents of these children whenever the youth group has a presentation to make to the church and enguage these children in that presentation. After the presentation we ask the parents to make some comments on the program.
With this kind of involvement, the parents will feel incorporated and wouldn't reject any other invitation.
After two or three invitations, we tend to witness to the parents, through which we talk about church membership.
This suggestion might work out, try it!!!