If I could only share one thing with parents, it would be this:
If you are concerned about young people having
a lackluster, less-than-consequential faith
and demand to know why,
look no farther than the model provided by yourselves
and the adult faith community around you.
This comes from Kenda Dean’s book Almost Christian. It is based on the research of the National Study on Youth and Religion.
If we as youth ministers want something more of faith from young people then we must partner and collaborate with parents and other adults. The above line is not meant as an indictment as much as a challenge and invitation. Teenagers are imitating a kind of faith that even they do not feel is overly consequential but it is one that they are learning from home and church.
What would be your one thing that you feel should be shared with parents?
D. Scott Miller
D. Scott Miller is the dean of Catholic Youth Ministry bloggers which is a polite way of either saying that he is just plain old or has been blogging for a long time (since 2004.)
Scott recently married the lovely Anne and together they have five adult young people and also grandparent three delightful kids (so, maybe he is just plain old!) Scott presently serves at Saint John the Evangelist in Columbia, MD as the director of youth and young adult ministry.
He has previously served on the parish, regional, diocesan, and national levels as well as having taught within a catholic high school. He is one of the founders of RebuildMyChurch and has returned to posting regularly (keeping regular is important to old guys) at ProjectYM.
D. Scott Miller
D. Scott Miller is the dean of Catholic Youth Ministry bloggers which is a polite way of either saying that he is just plain old or has been blogging for a long time (since 2004.)
Scott recently married the lovely Anne and together they have five adult young people and also grandparent three delightful kids (so, maybe he is just plain old!) Scott presently serves at Saint John the Evangelist in Columbia, MD as the director of youth and young adult ministry.
He has previously served on the parish, regional, diocesan, and national levels as well as having taught within a catholic high school. He is one of the founders of RebuildMyChurch and has returned to posting regularly (keeping regular is important to old guys) at ProjectYM.
If I could only share one thing with parents, it would be this:
It takes an intentional effort to raise your children in the Church. Its not something that you do when your schedule allows it, when there’s nothing else to do.