Parent's Page

The Student Ministries of First Alliance Church have been in the middle of a major SHIFT this fall.  It has been great so far, and now we are excited about having this Parent's Page.  We want to communicate with you, the most important people in the lives of students!

We hope that you will come to this site frequently to see what is coming up for you & your child. We want this page will be a resource for you.  Come looking for:  Student Ministry news, information about events, what we are covering during teaching series on Sunday evenings and Student LIFE U classes, and interesting articles.

If you have suggestions for content, please let us know! 

November 19, 2008

Something happened to my last post, gone into the abyss of the internet.  Anyway…

I have had more and more discussions with parents about safety.  Not necessarily about safety at our student ministry, although we take that very seriously.  It has been more about safety issues concerning driving, energy drinks, social networking sites and assaults, both physical and sexual.  We are definitely living in tough times, and your teen is right in the middle of it all.

I don’t have all the answers here, sorry.  However, I hope I can be of a little help.

I’ll also point you to other resources.

The most important aspect of protecting your teens is having a relationship where you communicate.  Note: I didn’t say “TALK”.  Communication is more listening than talking.  I’ve heard it said, “You have one mouth and two ears.  Use them proportionately!”  When you listen to your teens, you’ll know the issues they are facing.  If your communication is constant, consistent and caring your teen will trust you even with the toughest of issues they face.

That said, you are the parent not their friend, and you need to make opportunities in your communication to prepare your teens for issues THEY WILL FACE!    Talk to your teens before they face the issues, instead of in the heat of the battle.  For instance, don’t wait to talk about dating until they are in a relationship.  Do it ahead of time!  Don’t wait to talk about driving safety while they are rolling through a Stop sign.  Do it ahead of time!  Don’t wait to talk to your teens about physical and sexual assault, the dangers of social networking sites, alcohol, drugs, sex, energy drinks, etc, etc, etc!  Don’t wait!

Teen Driving Helps & Driving Contracts –

http://www.carcontrol.com/contract.htm

Dangers linked with Energy Drinks -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24831859/

http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/atod/energydrinks.htm

October 16, 2008

New Teaching Series for SUNDAY NIGHT - The Essence. 

I am excited about this new series.  We are talking about the essentials of what a Christian is.  I hope our students will be challenged to really think about their faith.

Week 1 - What is a Christian & Why Should I be one?

Week 2 - What is the Bible & Why Should I read it?

Week 3 - What is a Prayer & Why Should I do it?

Week 4 - What is the Church & Why Should I get involved in it?

Week 5 - What is a Evangelism & Why Should I do it?

Sunday Night has been well received.  We had 93 there last week!  The transition has been tough for some students on Sunday morning, but students are telling me they are getting something out of the messages.  Get your kids up and bring them to church.  Have them sit with you or sit with friends in the front of the sanctuary!

September 20, 2008

Overview of Student Ministries

This is the what we do and why we do it.

SUNDAY NIGHT - We are using this name for now and are in the process of renaming this ministry.  SN is our primary Student ministry program.  SN is meant to be the place that Students connect to God and each other.  Worshipping God in a style that students enjoy and hanging out with one another.

We start with a meal at 5:30.  It is followed by a night that includes worship, teaching, activities and discussions in community groups. We are done by 8 pm, but students can hangout until 8:30.

Student LIFE U - These Sunday AM classes are generally offered every other month.  Classes focus on three main areas - Bible & Theology, Spiritual Disciplines & Life Issues.

The next series is:  Getting in S.H.A.P.E. !!!  Finding how God has gifted you and how to live a life for God.  (Now through November 2)

Small Groups - We feel strongly that small groups help students grow in their faith.  Our groups are intended for students that want to grow and be mentored by "being with" like minded students and a dedicated adult leader. 

Students form groups of 3 or 4, and are given a leader.  These groups are gender specific & meet at least 2/month for Bible Study, mentoring and accountability.  Oh yes, they have a lot of fun together, too! 

"BIG" Church Attendance & Service - For too long youth ministry has been a place where students go so they don't have to go to "BIG" church.  This has not been a good thing.  More than 50% of students "graduate" from church when they graduate from high school.  When surveyed many say they don't feel comfortable in "Big" church - it is a foreign place to them.  Students need to know they are part of the church, not just the future of it.  We encourage students to go to services.  Go together.  Try a Cafe service.  Your students stand to gain a lot.

We also want students to discover how God has gifted them and then use those gifts to serve others.  There are many ways to serve God and others in the church and outside of it!

There are ways that you can get involved!  Lead a small group, help prepare a meal for Sunday night, or teach a Student LIFE U session.  Let us know how you can help.