CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Since parents have a much greater influence on their children than the church, youth ministries must involve them if they want to have an impact on teens.
That was the message Spencer Good, youth minister at Lafayette Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C. gave participants in a breakout session at the June 26-28 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's general assembly, Associated Baptist Press reported.
"Forty-six percent of teens say their primary role model is a family member, not a pop icon or sports star," Good said.
Asked to name their greatest influence, 47 percent picked their parents, Good added. Church, at 16 percent, was the second-greatest influence, followed by peers, at 8 percent, and a relative other than a parent, at 4 percent.
"Teens care and want parents involved, whether they admit it or not," Good said. "We need to get parents to ‘pack the stands' [at church events for youth]. If youth look to parents as role models, we need to get parents involved."
Good said the best way to involve parents is to "plan good stuff." He suggested letting parents help plan some youth ministry events. Sponsoring meetings and ministries for parents when children are not present is helpful.
