Pastors & Parents

Engaging Pastors and Parents in the Fight

The second article in a series on the six systemic issues of youth ministry.
By: Ron Luce

Churches and youth groups across the country are perfectly positioned to make a profound difference in the future of our country. We are just down the street from the homes and schools that hold tomorrow’s leaders, today’s teens, and we are equipped with the life-changing message of the Gospel that can radically change their lives.

Yet in spite of everything that is done in the name of youth ministry, it is estimated that only 4% of their generation will be Bible-believing Christians when they reach adulthood. How can this be? In the first article of this series, we looked at how we got here and identified the six systemic issues of youth ministry that are holding us back from reaching teens. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at two of those issues, and how the BattleCry Campaign is designed to respond to them.

Systemic Issue #1: Pastors are Disinterested

Show me a church that has a thriving youth ministry, and I will show you a senior pastor that is deeply committed to young people.

As the leader of his flock, the pastor sets the direction and focus of his congregation. He is not the end-all decision maker or the only person who can make a difference, but he does determine where the church as a whole will put their energy. If a pastor does not think youth ministry is important, the church will not think youth ministry is important.

In order to steer a church in the direction needed to profoundly impact the teens of a community, the pastor must not only approve the youth group’s plans, but be deeply involved in the fight for young people. They cannot think, “I don’t have to be involved with the teens. That’s what I pay (or don’t pay!) my youth pastor for.”

The BattleCry provides several resources and opportunities to help pastors become engaged in the fight for this generation. The first is our flagship book, BattleCry for a Generation, which reveals the intricate war that is being launched against today’s teens. Encourage your pastor to read this book and experience the struggles teens face on a daily bases.

In addition, pastors can also attend BattleCry Stadium Events, massive gatherings of young people and adults, and BattleCry Leadership Summits, powerful training seminars equipping leaders to make a difference. These events will inspire your pastor to do what it takes to impact young people.

Systemic Issue #2: Parents Disconnected

How can we expect teens to have a thriving relationship with God when the house they live in does not support them, or even discourages them to grow spiritually?

For example, some youth pastors even have trouble getting parents to let their kids come to youth group. Imagine this: Your youth leader spends hours, even days planning and preparing for a youth meeting or special event that will minister to teens. Yet in spite of all their hard work, hardly anybody shows up--not because they do not want to, but because their parents won’t let them.

Some parents punish their teens by not letting them go to youth group. It is great that teens want to go so much that this could even be used as a punishment, but is it worth taking away an opportunity for them to grow in their relationship with God?

Unfortunately, this is only one example. Some teens cannot go simply because their parents are too busy to drive them, or worse yet, they do not think that youth group is worth their time.

Parents must become genuinely concerned about the spiritual lives of their young people. To help them grow right now, parents can begin by encouraging them to go to youth group and helping them get there. (Read more about parents’ influence in the article Parents: You Have (a LOT) More Influence Than You Think.)

This is the key: in order to the turn the tide and change this generation for Christ, parents must become concerned about and committed to their young people’s relationship with God.

In response to the need to reconnect parents with their teens, the BattleCry offers two cutting-edge books: It’s Only a Tattoo is an insightful parenting handbook that includes detailed responses to several of the biggest issues teens face today. Parents should also read BattleCry for a Generation to grasp the bigger pictures of the crisis of this generation.

In addition, BattleCry Stadium Events and Leadership Summits are for more than just church leaders and teens. Countless parents’ lives have been changed by these unique experiences.

If we are going to win this fight for our generation, we must get smart. By identifying and targeting the six systemic issues of youth ministry, the BattleCry Campaign is committed to bringing about fundamental change that will lead to lasting results. Pastors and parents are two key players that must be engaged in the fight. And no matter who you are and what your role is in your church, you can be an influential team player in the movement.


The Systemic Issues of Youth Ministry series:
Part 1: Building Youth Ministries that Change Lives
Part 2: Engaging Pastors and Parents in the Fight
Part 3: Inspiring Involvement and Financial Support
Part 4: Equipping Leaders with the Right Message


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Read youth culture news, youth ministry articles, and join the fight for America’s young people at http://www.battlecry.com