Early in youth ministry, I really thought my investment would make the difference for Christ in the lives of the teenagers with whom I worked. Some of the teenagers would tell you I was important to them. But I don’t think any of them were really shaped for life by my really cool Bible studies. In youth ministry, we play a vital role in helping teenagers to get face-to-face with Christ. However, research says the faith of most teenagers ends up looking a lot like the faith of their parents. The truth is, we may have more impact on teenagers by encouraging parents to live out their faith with passion in front of their teenage children. Unfortunately, a lot of parents see our only role is to make sure their teenagers enough fun at church that they won’t get in trouble with sex or drugs. Finding ways to build up and encourage parents can be a challenge. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Most parents truly love their children and want the best for them. However, a lot of them simply do not realize how vital their involvement in their teenagers’ lives is. When students come home, grunt at them, and lock themselves in their bedrooms, the message parents hear is: LEAVE ME ALONE. And a lot of parents do. Parents may simply want to keep peace in the house. Parents need to be reminded how vital it is that they communicate with their kids, that they set age-appropriate limits, and, perhaps most of all, that they listen.

2. Many parents of teenagers are in the sandwich generation. Not only do they have demands on their time to raise their teenage children–a task that seems daunting to many–but they may also be trying to help their aging parents. Add to that the physical and social changes in middle adulthood–slow decreases in sight and hearing, thinning hair and thickening mid-sections, decreases in muscle mass, and the realization that there are more years behind than ahead, to name a few–and you can understand why many parents feel stretched thin. Some youth leaders get frustrated because parents seem critical of the youth ministry. Try to hear the frustrations of parents through the lens through which they see the world. Many times, parents need encouragement more than anything else.

3. Lost parents need Christ. I know this sounds simplistic and it is not necessarily the youth ministers job to witness to every family member of every teenager who visits your church. However, your church needs to love families to Christ. The relationship you have with a teenage son or daughter will often give you a unique welcome into the home. Look for ways to care about and meet the needs of parents. Introduce them to others in your church who can continue that ministry. Be the champion at your church of ministries that will care for, equip, and encourage parents . . . whether you lead them or not.

Youth ministry is most effective when you are enhancing a faith that is being taught at home. Don’t miss the importance parents are to the life of faith their teenagers will develop.