How to Include Parents in Children’s Ministry…”Ten Do’s and Don’ts”

Is your ministry connecting with parents and are they looking to you and your volunteers for spiritual guidance and encouragement? After twenty plus years of experience in children’s ministry, ranging from small to large church programs, below are a few of the do’s and don’ts that I have found helpful as the church works together with parents in an effort to teach children the truths about God.

Is your ministry connecting with parents and are they looking to you and your volunteers for spiritual guidance and encouragement? After twenty plus years of experience in children’s ministry, ranging from small to large church programs, below are a few of the do’s and don’ts that I have found helpful as the church works together with parents in an effort to teach children the truths about God.

Do…
1. Include parents in the Sunday Bible lesson.
2. Show the joy of the Lord and passion for children by greeting parents and their child with a smile.
3. Share positive comments about a child with parents after Sunday school or at the end of any other children’s ministry program.
4. Have open communication with parents if a child has discipline problems or needs additional encouragement in the classroom to stay focused.
5. Encourage and promote a positive environment where kids can learn and have fun at church.
6. Communicate the Bible lesson; distribute handouts and any other correspondence regarding the week’s Bible lesson to the parents.
7. Call a parent to check on a child during the week, especially if a child has been absent for more than one or two Sundays.
8. Share additional materials, activities, and information that can be completed at home to reinforce the weekly Bible lesson.
9. Include parents in special classroom and/or Sunday activities, programs, or special events.
10. Write and mail welcome cards or notes of encouragement to children, especially first time
guests and children who are ill.

Don't…
1. Ignore parents when they pick up their child from Sunday school or other children’s ministry programs.
2. Let circumstances, a headache, or a bad day interfere with ministry and greet parents with a frown or a grumpy attitude.
3. Share negative comments to parents regarding their child where others can hear.
4. Intimidate or make parents feel that you are unapproachable.
5. Treat children with disrespect at Sunday school or any other children’s ministry program.
6. Hinder spiritual growth in children.
7. Be too busy to develop relationships with children and their parents.
8. Limit yourself to using only the written curriculum to reinforce the Bible lessons.
9. Let parents view children’s ministry as a baby-sitting service.
10. Disregard the importance of attendance.

As we team together with parents in an effort to meet the spiritual needs of each child and teach them the truth about God, we can make a difference for His kingdom purposes. Not only will your volunteers experience the joy of the Lord, but children will feel special and enjoy coming to Sunday school or children’s church. Don’t…forget to share God’s love and model His grace to every parent and child you encounter in your Children’s Ministry. Do…“ Train a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Do… partner with parents to make a difference in the life of a child and help them to grow into spiritual champions…loving the Lord their God with all of their heart, soul, and mind.