Mixed Messages Part 2

In Part 1 of my three part series I discussed the mixed messages we get from schools. In this post I will discuss the mixed messages we give as churches working with kids.


I wonder if many churches actually rely on parents not being involved, no matter how much they encourage participation?

I wonder what we mean when we say we want parents to be involved?

Here's my guess:

1. Involvement means you show up to parents and information meetings.

2. Involvement means volunteer for security, cooking at youth events, organizing fundraisers. You know... the non-spiritual stuff.

3. Involvement means getting your kid to you on time and picking them up on time.

4. Involvement means paying for all the events, t-shirts, candy we sell, camps and missions trips we decide are good for your kids.


1. Involvement does not mean that you have input into what the church or youth program actually looks like and how our program is run. After all we are the experts.

2. Involvement does not mean helping shape the how we define success.

3. Involvement depends on keeping parents uninformed on information that might frustrate them or lead them to believe they are not responsible for their kids.

4. Involvement means the same things it means for our kids. Fall in line. Do it our way. You have no alternative. The youth leaders know best.


On one hand, come help us.. be responsible parents.
On the other hand, we are the experts and we know what your child needs better than you do.