Comments on: Parenting: Our Kids Didn’t Choose This Way Of Life! https://youthministry.com/parenting-our-kids-didnt-choose-this-way-of-life/ Daily Wisdom for Youth Workers. Thu, 02 Mar 2023 22:56:19 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 By: Mariah https://youthministry.com/parenting-our-kids-didnt-choose-this-way-of-life/#comment-287690 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:38:54 +0000 http://youthmindev.wpengine.com/?p=41075#comment-287690 As a youth pastor and mom of three girls one in my senior high ministry, one in my jr. high and the third in the middle school ministry, I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I love having my children in youth group. I was terrified that they would resent not having a youth pastor, but have found that it has created so many good memories and open discussions that I wouldn’t change it. I have very intentionally had other adult leaders poor into their lives, so if a time comes and they need another adults influence they have a lot of Christian Aunt and Uncles to come alongside them.

I have held them to a higher standard not because they are ypk, but because we are Christ followers and much is expected of us. I try my best to live this out in my life and I’ll apologize and admit to them when I screw up too. I believe being real in all aspects both in ministry and home will help our children to become the Godly men and women God created them to be.

I have also dated my children. Making special moments just for them. Just like I might take a youth out for coffee or ice cream, my children get special individual time too.

Great book on this is “As for me and my Crazy House” by Brian Berry

]]> By: Bryan Levangie https://youthministry.com/parenting-our-kids-didnt-choose-this-way-of-life/#comment-287688 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:33:29 +0000 http://youthmindev.wpengine.com/?p=41075#comment-287688 Always a good reminder Kurt. I have a 9yo and a 5yo and am a Middle School Pastor. I feel we’ve done a pretty good job as well with what you said. I can’t believe my 9yo will be in the youth group soon though. Crazy.

One other thing I have worked through/thought through is how Christ is revealed in our home. I want my kid to see an authentic believer, good & bad, not a pastor as a dad. In correlation, I have spent time with the wife on how we integrate church into our lives. In other words, how much time is spent at church. I would hate to have my kids hate church because they were always there, no matter what.

So what I guess I am saying is we are just trying to figure this all out & be parents who love Jesus, not a pastor and a pastor’s wife with unrealistic expectations.

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