In a previous post, I discussed the first of four things that girls' ministry is NOT: It is NOT a stand-alone ministry. It takes place within the context of the larger church, dovetailing with student ministry and other ministries of the church.
Here's the second thing girls' ministry is NOT: It is NOT just ministry to teen girls. It is also ministry to their families and their leaders
Now before you throw the computer across the room because you're thinking, "I can't keep up with the girls as it is, and now you're adding something else on my plate???", take a deep breath.
Ministering to their families and to leaders isn't as hard as you think. With a little effort (and some tips I'll give you), you can add this dimension to your girls' ministry.
So how can you help parents and others who touch the lives of girls? Here are a few ideas.
1. Educate them. I am a parent of an almost-four-year-old daughter, and I constant crave any kind of information I can find on how to be a better parents. Magazine articles. Web articles. TV specials. A message scrawled on the back of a napkin. Anything that will help me. Parents of teens and preteens are no different, and neither are volunteers.
So how can you educate them? First, don't be intimidated by thinking, "I'm not a parent of a teen. I can't give any advice." Well, most brain surgeons have never had brain surgery, but that doesn't disqualify them from being able to pass on their knowledge. Not to compare girls' ministry leaders to brain surgeons, but you get the idea.
Be an information conduit. See an article that you find interesting? Send it along to your parents and leaders. Read a book that you think will be helpful? Suggest it to others. Go to a conference that really enhanced your ministry? Encourage your leaders (and even parents) to attend the following year. If your church can afford it, offer to pay part of the cost. You don't have to be an expert in every area; just keep your fingers on the pulse of people who are experts. And to help you with that, let me suggest a couple of sites:
The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) is a great clearinghouse of ideas, quotes, statistics, information, and suggestions for parents, leaders, and anyone else interested in teen culture. It's worth checking out periodically.
Virtue Alert is an online blog/commentary/information site created by Vicki Courtney, speaker/author, and mother. She has written several books, including Logged On and Tuned Out, Five Conversation You Must Have With Your Daughter, Your Girl, and Your Boy.
StudentZip is a bi-weekly eNewletter that delivers helpful articles, fresh ministry ideas, information on upcoming events and more - right to your email inbox.
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