Parents Lab Recap

When church and families work together, we make a greater impact on kids' & students' faith!

One of the most difficult elements of Parents Lab was coming up with a tag line. What we chose was "You're still their greatest influence and we can help!"

Our belief and the findings of various research groups is that parents are the greatest influencers of their children. (For example, I sent my son on a time out the other day and while walking to his bedroom, muttered "For the love!" Why would a nearly 5 year old boy say something like this in a moment of stress? Because his dad says it and he's influenced by it.) The heart of the church is to illuminate and help people take the next step in their faith. So, we want to help. Hence the catchy tag line!

It was a privilege to gather with several parents and volunteers to discuss how we influence kids and students. If you weren't able to join us, here's what you missed:

• Discussing how our influence on our children & students changes over time. As positional influence decreases, relational influence should increase. In other words, at 3 years old, you can enforce a time out by picking them up and taking them to their room. At 13, your influence is based on them trusting you and choosing to do the right thing. 
• Conversing about how parents need to reinvent themselves as their kids grow and develop. The needs of a toddler are very different than the needs of a middle school student!  
• Brainstorming the 'next step' for each parent. Our goal is to raise kids and students who have an authentic faith in Jesus Christ. What is one step you can take this week and next week to help make that happen? Even the smallest steps still bring us closer to the goal!
• Pizza from Pie Hole Pizza (so good!)
• Phase cards to help parents understand their kids' & students' phase of life. Copies are available at Guest Services!
• Joshua Straub's book Safe House. There's still 12 copies for you at Guest Services. First come, first served!

We had a great time at this event, and we hope that you will join us for the next Parents Lab, on February 11. We're excited to walk through the three conversations parents need to have with their kids.  Ultimately, our goal is to be a resource to parents, so if you have any suggestions or questions, please send an email to Walter or Josh!

Parents Lab

Looking back to the beginning of summer, I realize things have changed in my home. Four months ago, playing Legos with my son meant Alli and I would build things and he would play with them until they broke. Playing Legos now means he actually builds things, creates a story and invites us to join his imaginative play. 

Alli brought to my attention a few weeks ago that Legos aren't the only pieces he's putting together. He's asking bigger questions, challenging our authority, and trying to figure out his role in our family-and he's not even 5! We're doing our best to parent him in ways we've never parented, because we're parents and that's what parents do! The hard part for us is learning how to parent him while helping him grow his faith. How can we influence him in ways that point him back to Jesus as Lord? 

Chances are, you're either recovering from a phase in your child's life, or heading into one. Parents don't ever really get a break or a breather from parenting! What we'd like to offer you isn't a break, but it is dinner, community and opportunities to grow in your ability to parent and influence your children well.

Parents Lab will be on Saturday, October 15th from 6:00-7:30pm. 
Childcare will be provided!
Prepare yourself for pizzas by Pie Hole Pizza!
We'll get you a copy of Safe House by Joshua Straub (read chapter 1 here!)
You'll also meet Kid Builders and Student Ministers who work with your children.
RSVP here by October 8!

Questions? Email Josh or Walter

Move Day 4: Kingdom Workers Are Changed

All this week we have been talking about Kingdom Workers. Kingdom Workers are loved, they are rescued, and they are united. Today we spent our time in Ephesians 4 & 5, discovering that Kingdom Workers are changed.

When you really think about it, change is often negative. It seems to be about giving something up that we really want to hold on to. When a student attempts to change by making a New Year's resolution, they might choose to give up pizza and go to the gym, or to give up netflix time and focus on their grades.  For adults, change often means giving up what we want too. Just think about the last time your home insurance agent called you with "changes" to your policy...

Kingdom Workers must change, but change for us is not negative! Change for us means opening ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit. It's not the negative giving up of something we like, or something good. It's the fantastic power of God, changing us and giving us new life. We don't give up the good, we get it!

Kingdom Workers are changed, and that change happens only by the power of our God. We're excited for you to see the change in your students when they get home.  God has really worked in our group this week, and he will continue to change our lives through the rest of Move and beyond.  Tomorrow our students will learn that Kingdom Workers are sent. It's our final day, so we'll see you all soon!