Parenting This Generation – 10.14.09 – An Encouragement to Parents
Posted by jeffandthea on October 14, 2009
Another Tool in the Toolbox for Parenting Teenagers…
An excerpt from Steve Wright and Chris Graves’ book “A Parent Privilege”…
Everyone would label Frank’s family as core members of their church… Frank told me, “Steve, as my wife and I were raising our boys I realize that we believed that our job was to bring our boys to church. We truly believed that if we could find a good youth program and keep our children active, then they would continue to serve Christ. We realize now that this belief system, no matter how earnestly we believed it, did not hold true for us.
Frank’s story is all too common. We now see around two-thirds of young people leaving the church around the time of graduation… I write this book for you – parents – to encourage you, to inspire you, to equip you, and to resource you. I also write as a dad with great concerns about the world in which we live, but great hope in the Gospel. You have an incredible privilege in front of you, the apparent privilege to disciple your children (in the way of our Savior and Leader: Jesus). I pray this book strengthens you in your task.
A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM YOUR YOUTH PASTOR, JEFF FORD…
THE BOOK (A PARENT PRIVILEGE by Steven Wright and Chris Graves) IS A BOOK THAT NEW YOUTH MINISTER FRIENDS AT THE LIFEWAY YOUTH MINISTRY CONFERENCE (in Nashville, TN) RECOMMENDED TO ME. I AM READING IT NOW. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BORROW MY COPY, I WILL BE HAPPY TO LOAN IT TO YOU.
I ALSO JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I LOVE AND PRAY FOR EVERY STUDENT @ FBC FORT PAYNE. I PRAY FOR THE STUDENT AND HIS OR HER FAMILY. I PRAY FOR YOU THAT YOU WILL GROW IN GOD’S GRACE AND MERCY. YOU ARE ONE OF MY GREATEST RESOURCE AND ENCOURAGEMENTS AS A YOUTH PASTOR. THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING, TEACHING, AND TAKING ME ON THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY AS WE UNITE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF TEENAGERS.
LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN SERVE YOU,
JEFF FORD
jeff@fbcfp.org (email address) www.fbcfp.org (church website)
http://www.facebook.com/jeffandthea (i’m actually checking this site for email messages also)
http://jeffandthea.wordpress.com/ (website details the ford family ministry adventures, joys, journeys, & challenges)
You can also contact the church office to reach jeff (256.845.2015), and if I am not in the office, just ask debra or nancy for my cell phone number. Thank you again for your encouragement.
