We are not their parents.
It is a fairly obvious fact that the children who attend our youth groups do not belong to us, their youth ministers. They are their parents’ offspring and attend our youth groups for between one and three hours a week.
In these days of declining numbers, parents often become anxious about children walking with God. Proverbs tells us that ‘a wise son heeds his father’s instruction’ (13.1), which reminds us that the prime responsibility for the nurture of children and young people lies with their parents. But parents can become so concerned that their children keep attending church that they want more ‘entertainment’ in the youth programme. Parents feel pressured in a church environment if their children fall away and they long for them still to be involved. We must listen to what they say, but also remind them that we are trying to grow disciples who have depth.
