The Most Important Thing You Can Do This Fall

(And How You Can Make it Happen)

I love the fall – especially in ministry.

I love hearing the excited energy of friends and ministry colleagues as they start planning for the year ahead.

In ministry groups I’m a part of online, so many people are asking about events, curriculums, and volunteer strategies.

All of those things really matter.

But in this season, more than ever, I’m convinced that they aren’t the most important thing.

Hear me out.

I believe that the most important thing you can do this fall is partner with parents.

Let me explain.

For a long time in children’s ministry, I focused on one thing – the kids.

I focused on making amazing programs, doing fun stuff, and teaching them the Bible.

And I achieved all those goals.
(Most of the time anyway)

But I quickly learned – that wasn’t the most important piece of the puzzle.

If we want to see kids become lifelong followers of Jesus, we need to partner with the people who love them the most to do it.

If I could challenge you with just ONE thing this fall – it would be to do exactly that –

Focus on building partnerships with the families you serve.

Maybe as you read this you’re thinking of all kinds of excuses –

“I don’t have time.”

“You haven’t met the families in MY church.”

“I’ve tried this a thousand times – it never works.”

“They don’t want to partner with me!”

I hear you.

Partnering with parents isn’t always easy.

Making time in our busy schedules to make this a priority isn’t always easy.

But friends, it really does matter.

Those who study what makes faith really stick – like the amazing crew at Fuller Youth Institute – have been clear: great programming and fun isn’t what creates lifelong faith.

Even strong, weekly biblical teaching isn’t the key.

What is key is parents being involved and invested in the faith of their kids.

If you want to make a lifelong impact in the life of a child,
invest in their family.

I know what you’re thinking – well how do I do that?

How do I make those investments?

I’m busy enough as it is.

I don’t even know where to start.

Over the month of September, we’re going to be getting “back to the basics” here on the blog – and talking about some simple ways you can partner with families each week.

While you wait for those posts, why not check out a couple of these ideas?

• This post on encouraging family discipleship is a great place to start.
• Help families make the most of small moments with this post!
• Let families know you understand what they’re facing by sharing the resources in this Talking About Things That Matter kit.
• Share a simple family discipleship resource with one of our top resources – this free Family Guide to Abide.

The families in your church need you – and you can partner with them to provide what they need in this season.

Don’t doubt that God has called and equipped you for this season in particular – you can do this!