The
Parent Connection
September 2012
A Winfree Parenting Resource
BOOST KIDS’ LEADERSHIP SKILLS As a new school year begins, teenagers will have many opportunities to explore and develop their talents. One often-overlooked talent is leadership. Yet your youth minister can tell you how desperately this trait is needed— and not just in church settings. In fact, in a Group magazine survey about youth ministers’ “dying needs,” the top response was “developing leaders.” Leadership means more than just good citizenship, discipleship, or community service. It’s the process of helping people accomplish together what they couldn’t do as individuals. Contrary to popular belief, leaders aren’t born. They can come in a variety of forms, from charismatic pied-pipers to troublemakers to reserved kids on the verge of blossoming. Indicators for high leadership aptitude include boldness, curiosity, a wealth of opinions and ideas, the fact that peers listen to those ideas, and dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Connecting points: Rusty Lee, Youth Pastor winfreeyouth@gmail.com
804.564.4441
After identifying young leaders, it’s important to group them together, give them opportunities to truly lead, provide them with feedback and mentoring, and disciple them so they’re spiritually grounded. Partnering with your church’s youth minister is a great way to provide teenagers with meaningful leadership and growth opportunities. As one youth leader says, “It’s one thing to quote scripture to kids; it’s quite another thing to actually entrust them with greater responsibilities—that’s what truly enables them to reach their full potential.”
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Think small. Instead of devising huge leadership programs, spend time developing each teenager individually. Rely on resources such as small-group leaders. Paint potential. Let your kids know that they’re gifted and talented in the leadership department and able to carry out God’s work. Some teenagers believe that if they’re not outgoing or popular, or popular, or lack an upfront-type
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PONDER THIS personality, then they can’t be leaders or ministers. So it’s important for us to encourage them and challenge them by “painting their potential.” They need to “see” that their lives can make a big difference.
Youth ministry pioneer Doug Fields offers this advice for cultivating teen leaders: Understand that teenagers can be ministers. Kids aren’t the future of the church; they’re the church of today. We must challenge teenagers to serve others and discover the significant life God has called them to live.
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Position individuals. First seek out opportunities that will make good use of teenagers’ current interests. Then try to stretch them a bit by exploring new opportunities. Such intentional leadership development can alter kids’ understanding that God has shaped them in unique ways and can leave an imprint in their community, as well as a legacy in their long-term walk with Jesus.
What leadership potential do you see in your teenagers, and how have you been trying to nurture it?
In what ways do you view yourself as a leader or as a leadership role model?
With whom can you partner to further develop your teenagers as leaders?
Confidence Connection Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers By Doug Franklin LeaderTreks founder Doug Franklin says teenagers’ leadership skills will grow in direct proportion to their confidence. Three key ways to grow kids’ confidence include:
God has their back. He’s their safety net, and, in the end, every Christ-follower wins. Kids must realize they’re made for a purpose and God gives them all the needed tools to complete that purpose.
1. Understanding God’s design. Most kids don’t think they’re special. They don’t think they have some great Godgiven ability to change the world around them. They rarely see their potential. They need to understand that God made them for a purpose and would never short -gift one of his children. God isn’t in the business of giving life to his kids and then cutting them off. For students to be confident, they must know that Stress builds, relationships weaken, rebellion flares, and depression may result.
2. Positive life experience. Kids need an experience beyond what they thought was possible. They must be placed in situations that require them to reach beyond themselves, such as mission trips. Confidence doesn’t happen by accident, so The experience is reinforced when they receive recognition from peers and point create a solid plan for your teenagers to develop into confident leaders. out one another’s giftedness.
to take risks and offer teenagers leadership opportunities. Teenagers need adults to connect the dots for them concerning how God has made them and how that giftedness can be used in real life. When kids are allowed to lead an event and the success or failure of that event is in their hands, with positive adult support, they’ll develop confidence regardless of the outcome.
3. A positive adult who is willing to risk. Kids need a positive adult figure in
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their lives who’s cheering them on to greatness. Adults need to tell kids how they see God working in their lives. Adults also need
RESOURCE
Help! I’m a Student Leader, a practical guidebook from Doug Fields (Simply Youth Ministry), offers young people guidance about being creative, encouraging leaders—and leading as Jesus did.
BIBLE FOCUS Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
you connected? re a s ie tr is in M Winfree Youth Rusty’s Ramblings Parents, check it out... We live in a digital culture. Many places you visit provide some form of “free wi-fi” so you can stay connected. My hope is that this infographic will communicate our indigenous mission to the “digital natives” (ie, your kids) in our ministry. Our mission statement is;
We exist to connect youth and their families to the Messiah, Mentors and Mission of God.
We hope that ALL PARENTS will join us on September 9 for the “Welcome Back Gathering” at 5PM to learn more.
The Gathering Sunday nights this fall for Middle and High School students
Has a new start time of 5 o’clock We will share a meal, play some games, worship and hang out in small groups with some awesome youth workers. All are Welcome. $2 meal donation encouraged. Hope to wrap things up by 7PM, so you can get home and finish/start your homework, right?
CBFVa Middle School Fall Retreat “Your Story”
I’m so excited about the next year at Winfree that this little blue box won’t hold my enthusiasm! Some of the greatest youth workers on the planet have poured their hearts into our students and crafted a new vision, mission, and discipleship plan. My hope is that you will join us for the “Welcome Back Gathering” to learn more. Here are some activities that were born out of the strategic process of “come, grow, serve”. I hope Upcoming Youth Events: Sunday, 9/9 “The Welcome Back Gathering” Meet downstairs at 5PM Saturday, 9/22 “Kingdom Builders Service Project” Meet downstairs at 7:30AM. Sunday, 9/23 “off-site” Large Group Activity Meet downstairs at 5PM Weekend of 9/28-30 See insert to left
“CBFVa Middle School Retreat”
Sunday, 10/14 “CARITAS @ Winfree” Community Service Project Sunday, 10/21 Meet downstairs at 5PM Sunday, 10/28 4-6PM Community Service Project
“MDA Mission Celebration” “Trunk or Treat”
Save these dates:
11/25 - NO Gathering - Thanksgiving Holiday 12/9 - Christmas Party @ the Williams’ House
“September 28-30, 2012
“Silly” Youth Workers Needed:
*** MIDDLE SCHOOL ONLY *** Come discover your own personal story and God’s story. Learn how closely these two story lines are connected.
Meal Makers Small Group Leaders Van Drivers Encouragers
Deadline to signup is Labor Day! (9/3) Cost is $ 75
“Silly” = Some Individuals Loving and Leading Youth If interested and/or available, contact Todd Parks to learn more.
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IMPORTANT REMINDER With the new schedule, our youth Sunday morning Bible study groups (MS & HS) will meet from 9:45 - 10:45am. We will form new classes as the need arises. Please keep me posted about your worship plans. 2
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Sunday, 9/9 Welcome Back Gathering 5PM Free supper! Parents encouraged to attend!! Come learn about the Fall schedule & meet some awesome youth workers!! 16
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New small group Bible study Sunday nights 6 weeks of discovering who God made me to be
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Sunday, 9/23 LASER TAG!
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Saturday, 9/22 Kingdom Builders Service Day
“Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “What do I do now?” “How can I make a diff?” 23/30
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Meet at Winfree at 7:30AM Bring work clothes and a servant’s heart!
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Friday, 9/28-30
5PM - 8PM Meet & pickup at LaserQuest
$75 per person Camp Crossroads
** FREE to first 30 to sign up
Sign Up Deadline is 9/3!
Any and all questions, comments, and especially praises should be directed to Rusty Lee via; 564.4441 or rusty.lee@winfreechurch.org or in person (preferred method)