Partnership + Parenting

Growing up one of my favorite cartoons was 'Captain Planet'.

One thing it taught me about was uniqueness.  You see we all have unique gifting and abilities.  And if we work together, we can get more accomplished...or stop evil polluting mutated super villains 

And teamwork & partnership goes not only on a personal level, but a institutional level.

so that leads me to...

as both a parent and a pastor, I understand that what goes on in our room on Sunday is not the most important hour of your child's week.  We strive to create an environment that is both sacred and fun for our kids and believe that it does make a difference. But you as parents have the greatest responsibility in raising your child into being a follower of the Resurrected Jesus.  Our responsibility is to give you the tools and resources to partner with you on this journey.  Yes, we try to teach your kids the creeds, prayers, traditions and Scriptures of our Faith, but without your partnership, we won't do our job with excellence.  So we really need each other.

So here are a few myths and a few facts about church and parent's...

MYTH: I take my kid's to church so the church can teach them about God, Jesus, love, etc.
FACT:  What we say on Sunday will have minimal effect if you aren't talking about it also.

MYTH:  I just don't have time to sit down and talk about this stuff with my kids.
FACT:  You have more time with your kids than we would ever hope to have.  Here is a stat for you:
each week is 168 hours.  (7 days x 24 hours)

you as a parent spend at least 72 hours with your kids (this is subtracting work/school 8 hrs each day and sleeping 8 hrs each day | home school moms, I know it feels like 190 hours)

Your child on average spends 1 hour with us at littleAdvent (which sometimes feels like 24...I kid...I kid)

You have 720% more time with your kids (at least) than any of us here at the Advent will ever have.

But this is my promise to you,  I will work to provide you resources that help get that conversation started.    And I need your promise that you will attempt to do that one more thing.  If it's starting the Daily Office with your kids, saying prayers before meals, reading a Bible story, going on a hike and talking about creation, whatever.  You just need to attempt that one. more. thing.  Because there are no perfect parents, just parents who do one more thing that will bring their child closer to Jesus.  Just one thing.  That's it.

I believe in you as parents.  I pray and intercede for you all daily.  You can do it through the power of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  If you guys ever need help or someone to talk to about parenting and spirituality, feel free to email me at josh[at]theadventatlanta[dot]org.

Grace & Peace,

|jw|