Dear Parents Introduction

January 19, 2011 — 12 Comments

In the next couple of weeks I’m going to release four blog posts that have been stored up in my draft folder for weeks. I wrote four letters as an open confrontation to parents that I’ve worked in a church setting with over the years. I’ve been a Children’s Pastor for a while, and everywhere I’ve ever been I see many of the same things. Let me say that each letter I hit “Publish” on will link back to this post so I wanted to put it this way.

Why did I write these letters?

Easy.  To get something off my chest.

The better question would be, “Why did you Publish these?”

That’s the harder one.  I felt it necessary to release this out there as a common sounding board on my personal site to make a connection with other Children’s Pastors, and they are also being posted on our Trinity Kidsplace Ministry Parent’s Blog too.

What else would you add?

I love parents.  I love that they bring their kids to church, I love that they all do little things to connect with their kids in a spiritual way, and I love it that they trust me to help them raise Spiritual Champions.  But I need more help, and these letters are an expression of my heart towards parents.

I only ask that you assume the best of my intentions and with as much grace and humility as I can gather…I present to you…”Dear Parents.”

Dear Parents // Take your kids to church

Dear Parents // Be on Time

Dear Parents // Church as Punishment?

Dear Parents // Talk about church

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  • http://smalltownkidmin.wordpress.com Jared M

    Uh oh. This sounds dangerous. I can’t wait to read them.

  • Pingback: Dear Parents Letters Part 1 « Growing as a Leader

  • http://www.growingkidsministry.com Lindsey Whitney

    Bold.

  • beth Ann Murray

    Dear Jonathan, I loved your introduction note and 1st letter. I used this first letter but turned it around so it only read postively. Thank you for the push to thank parents for attending church and sharing their children with us so we too can be a part of their children’s Spiritual training.

    • http://www.jonathancliff.com Jonathan Cliff

      Thanks for the comment. Oh the things we could say if we wanted to be mean, right?

  • LaDonna Rose

    wow!! It’s to bad that society has bog the family down with so many obligations (two parent income households)that make it so overwhemling to have to choose church or to relax on Sunday morning because of being extremely exhausted from the week’s bliss. It’s great to hear your boldness. We must remember that God gives us free will and he says with loving kindness have I drawn thee.

    • http://www.jonathancliff.com Jonathan Cliff

      So true LaDonna! Grace is much more attractive than judgement!

  • Pingback: Please Work Hard to Be on Time | jonathancliff.com

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  • http://www.mitchellsinindy.blogspot.com Jonathon Mitchell

    I’m loving this series! Thanks for sharing.

    • http://www.jonathancliff.com Jonathan Cliff

      Thanks for the comment. Glad to share!

  • Pingback: Dear Parents Letters: Church as Punishment « Growing as a Leader