Youth

To the Outrageously Fabulous Parents with Your Kids in Church: I Salute You

Having your kids in church with you is hard. And it matters. I promise.

kids in church 101

DOWNLOAD A FREE PDF COPY TO GIVE TO FAMILIES: This is our encouragement letter to all the parents out there, and we think families in your congregations might really enjoy reading it. Click here to download a copy to share with families at your church or parents you know.

You Are Fabulous

To all the parents out there: You are fabulous. Yes, you! I guarantee you that you’re better at raising kids than you often think you are. And all you’re investing in those little humans is already at work in them. This is true even on those days (yes, even those days), when there isn’t even a glimmer of confirmation of that fact.

I see you showing up to church with your arms full. In one hand, the snack bag, a tiny hand in the other and the diaper bag slung over one shoulder. And off you jog after your other little one who’s charging across the parking lot, while shouting back to your oldest, still dawdling, “Lock the car when you get out!”

I know you’re already tired from last night’s less-than-luxurious night of sleep. Yesterday, you were probably at a tournament for your oldest before rushing over to that afternoon swim party.

And, yet, you’re here.

And even when you’re not here…we still think you’re fabulous. We all know that church attendance is not what it was back in the day, and we’re not bemoaning that. Really. We get it. This life stuff…it’s hard. And busy. And filled with many wonderful opportunities for children and youth. And with the schedule of so many families today, sometimes what a family needs more than anything is the chance to just be together on a Sunday morning.

But when you are able to make it to worship, we know the question you might be asking as you pull into the church parking lot…

kids in church 102

“Is It Worth It?!”

You probably wonder if it’s worth it. Does it really matter that you show up at church on Sunday morning? Is it making a difference to anyone that you scramble to get everyone dressed and out the door to be here?

Parenting is hard. It’s so rich and beautiful, lovely and heart-expanding. It’s more than any of us ever imagined it would be. More joyous, more disappointing, more invigorating and more demanding.

And I’m here to tell you that in the midst of all the more-ness of parenting, I’m in awe of you. I don’t need to know you. If you’re the parent who’s reading a blog about having kids in church, I can definitively say I am in awe of you.

And when you invest in having your kids in church – it matters.

kids in church 103

Kids in Church Matters

Kids in church matters to the congregation.

Your family brings with it the gift of your children’s voices. From the sweet sound of their singing to their unassuming (sometimes loud) questions, children invite joy.

When kids are in church, we are all reminded that it’s simply about showing up as we are to worship together. Children’s unfiltered curiosity and authenticity consistently help us let go of our pretense. For this reason, children force us to let go of the notion that worship is an hour-long performance.

Life is messy and unpredictable, and a life of faith isn’t any different. Thank goodness your kids are in church, so we don’t forget that piece of wisdom.

Also, God’s family in it’s most vibrant expression is diverse. So, when we’re all together, we are at our best. We remain the most supple of heart and mind, learning Spirit’s teachings through one another.

kids in church 104

Being in church matters to your kids.

A faith community’s life together is the absolute best teaching tool a church has. Children learn most effectively through observing others. And what better way for them to understand a relationship with God than by watching their spiritual grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles walk the road?

Having your kids in church teaches them that their presence and their worship matters. When children are a part of worship, we show them that they are enough just the way they are.

Your investment in them, pushing to make it here on Sunday morning is nurturing their faith, showing them what it looks like to love God and how valuable they are, merely by being.

Thank You

And you’re doing it. Great job! And thank you. I share with you my sincere gratitude on behalf of all churches everywhere, because what you’re doing is hard and because it matters to us all.

15 Outrageously Easy-to-Plan Summer Activities for Families

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Summer activities for families are in high demand these days as we look ahead to the next few months. The school year is winding down. And long, warm days waiting to be filled with fun are on the horizon.

summer activities for families

Summer is a funky time in ministry. Lots of travel happens. Attendance goes down. Schedules are unpredictable. But, on the other hand, for families, it can be a season of relationship-building. With kids out of school, families often need to fill lots of time. And why not fill it together? So, if you’re looking for fun summer activities for families in your church, we’ve got you covered. What events are on your family ministry calendar? We’d love to know, so don’t forget to share in the comments below!

summer activities for families 106

Outdoor Morning Activities

Plan regular park play dates. For young families, the park is an easy way to get together. Kids are engaged while parents can interact. Consider planning weekly morning play dates at a local park. It’s best to keep the time and location consistent from week to week. Then, if someone has been out of town or missed an email or text, they won’t show up at the wrong place. To go above and beyond, bring snacks for kids and a goody for parents to share. Plan to finish up by noon so that kids can be home for naps.

Practice yoga together. There are a couple of ways to do this. One, invite parents to meet at a local yoga studio for a class that’s already scheduled. Two, ask a yoga instructor to lead a class for your group in a community space. This second option is especially useful for larger groups. Be sure to set an age guideline for those who can attend. Classes can be taught for any ability, including baby-wearing mothers, young children, adolescents, and parents.

Explore on a local hike. Gather at a local trailhead for a nature walk or hike and wander through beauty together. If you have parents with young children attending, be sure the trail can accommodate strollers. Also, to include all levels, look for a path that is relatively flat and no more than a couple of miles.

summer activities for families 102

Outdoor Daytime Activities

Party in the pool. Invite a family in the church with a pool to host a family pool party. This could even happen on a Sunday after church. Summer activities for families can feel overwhelming for a family to have at their house. To make it easy on the hosts, ask guests to bring brown bag lunches. Also, bring extra towels and sunscreen. Families can forget some of their stuff when running out the door.

Feast with a food truck. Hire a food truck or a mobile taco grill. On a Saturday or Sunday, invite families to enjoy lunch together. This works well in the church parking lot or at a neighborhood park. Alternatively, schedule the food truck to be a part of the family pool party.

Cheer on a local sports team. Afternoon sporting events are a great family activity. For a particularly affordable option, look for minor league teams in your area.

summer activities for families 103

Outdoor Evening Activities

Go to the fair. Schedule an evening for families to meet up at the local fair. It’s best to make the time early enough so young families can attend before needing to be home for bedtime. This is an excellent event for families with kids of all ages. Older kids can split off, and younger ones can stay with their parents.

Attend a movie in the park. This is another one of the low-prep summer activities for families that you can do anytime. Very little is required of you if your families can merely attend an event that’s already planned. Invite families to bring their dinner and some popcorn.

summer activities for families 104

Service Projects

Support a local animal shelter. Gather supplies such as food, beds, towels, and bowls for animals in need. Invite a couple of the families to deliver the supplies to the shelter. Additionally, older youth can volunteer their time over the summer.

Support a local food pantry. Encourage families to give their time at a local food pantry. Sorting food is a job that children as young as kindergartners can assist with. Your families can also host a food drive over the summer, asking for a specific non-perishable item each week.

summer activities for families 107

Indoor Morning Activities

Munch on Saturday brunch. Plan a gathering for families at an inexpensive local cafe or restaurant. Coffee shops and bagel shops are good options since they’re often casual and have outdoor seating. If you’ve got a large group that’s spread out, give a few locations.

Create at a local store. Craft and hardware stores often host weekly or monthly morning classes for kids. Notify parents of these opportunities and attend one altogether. Kids work on skills they need, connect with other children, and the classes are almost always free.

summer activities for families 105

Indoor Daytime Activities

Meet up at the library. Often, libraries host classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers that include stories and singing. Choose a class to invite your families to attend together. Also, children can enjoy searching the shelves with their friends for new books to take home with them and keep until the following week.

Wander a museum. Museums will often have free-admission days. Look into these options for museums in your area. This is a beautiful way for families with kids of all ages to spend an afternoon. This is especially true when it’s hot out, and you’re all desperate for air conditioning.

Watch a matinee movie. Find a kid-friendly movie for families to attend together. Then, look into discount days that local theaters are holding for matinees. Meet families in front of the theater. Stay out front for 20 minutes to greet late families.

Even More Fun Summer Activities for Families

Your city is probably putting on summer activities for families that are unique to your area, too. Search for events on your city’s website or social media feed. To make it most accessible on families, try for low- or no-cost options. Have a blast!

And don’t forget to share your what summer activities for families you have planned in the comments below.

7 Ways Art Helps Teens Make Sense of The World

Alissa Ellett 9 Comments

Wondering how art helps teens? There are countless ways we all benefit from art-making. And adolescents are no different.

how art helps teens

Of course, no two teens are the same and, therefore, will not experience creating art in the same way. However, they are in a particular place in development. Because of the changes happening during this stage, we can make generalizations about what is helpful. By incorporating art into ministry, you assist your students in sharing their experience and making sense of their world.

How Art Helps Teens: Understanding Their Development

How art helps teens is better understood when we first explore how they are developing. So, let’s dive into just a few of the new ways they’re experiencing life.

how art helps teens 1

Teens move from concrete to abstract thinking. As children, we are concrete thinkers. Then, once we hit adolescence we can think in metaphor and hypotheticals. Additionally, we become more aware of our internal world. We can name and express what is unseen.

Because of this major shift in cognition, youth begin to feel unsure of themselves and uncertain about their place in the world. However, this is also that which makes it possible for teens to make sense of the shift through art. Thus, offering them a way to feel more stable in the midst of transformation.

Offer teens space to respond to open-ended prompts. For example, invite them to draw what they think of when they hear a particular Bible verse or how they would depict God to someone who had never heard of anything spiritual before.

Teens are doing the work of identity formation. As babies, we see ourselves as a part of everything and everyone else. As we develop as children we start to understand our separateness. Then, as adolescents, we become capable of self-reflection, which separates us from this unity that with all else we’ve always felt.

This is an important change for teens to go through that involves searching and individuation. They test out various personas and behaviors before they find the ones that feel most true to themselves. They learn who they are, what they like and don’t, how they show up in the world comfortably, what excites them and how they are unique.

how art helps teens 3

How art helps teens make sense of who they are is clear when they are given opportunities for self-expression. Any creative activity that asks them to tell a part of themselves or an extension of who they are (relationships, community, home life, faith, family) will offer a venue for this. For example, provide magazines for them to create collages about their values or how they would describe themselves. Alternatively, give them time with music on to draw or paint symbols that tell about an aspect of their life.

Teens have an increased ability to think critically and make connections. Although this ability doesn’t become fully functional until we are in our mid-twenties, teens are beginning to see the world in a more complex way. By the time we reach high school, we can understand the ways systems are at work, for example. From our family system to our solar system, we have a broader sense of the interdependent nature of all things.

As youth begin to see in more complex ways how their world works, they often begin to feel a sense of injustice and frustration. Part of their journey of maturation is noticing painful things that need to change. Although this is difficult, it also creates passion and motivation to take initiative. This can take several forms. From one’s own family to one’s own nation. Look at the teens leading the fight against gun violence as just one example!

Amidst this increased awareness, one way of offering youth a space to make sense of it concretely is through art. One way of doing this is by inviting them to draw their feelings and then discuss them. Alternatively, youth can create art around a single topic they see in their own community that needs addressing. Then, invite them to discuss ways they feel called by God to respond to the systemic pain together.

how art helps teens 4

Why Art?

There are several ways teens make sense of their world. They need different avenues for expression in order to find their way. But art is a unique gift to them.

First, art allows for absolute personal preference to reign supreme. Youth are given the freedom to create what they want to. So many young people are plagued by peer pressure as well as familial expectations. Art can be a way for them to find themselves without the weight of what they assume others want from them.

Second, art helps what is not yet or may never be processed verbally to still have expression. For teens especially, there is much they’re experiencing for which they don’t yet have language. However, they need to have some way of getting what is internal out. Art offers that to them.

how art helps teens 5

Third, art is intuitive and is neither right nor wrong. This is helpful for them in their own development of self and valuing their own preferences. Additionally, in a world that becomes increasingly polarized, encouraging people to identify with rigid perspectives, art gives youth a way of experiencing the multiplicity of truth.

Fourth, art is something that we often let go of early in our lives. We were likely told at some point that we weren’t good at it, and we then gave it up. So, when teens begin making art they recover parts of themselves they haven’t visited for a long time. Reliving our own experiences of childhood can bring about an openness to hope and creativity, the divinity that is in all and through all, that we sometimes lose sight of as we age.

We hope this has given you some renewed or newfound excitement around the use of art in your ministry. If you’re looking for an easy way to explore art with your youth, check out our coloring posters. And we’d love to hear from you. So, don’t forget to share in the comments below how your faith community is incorporating art!