Imagine this: Sunday morning after the service, a church member, Amber, approaches you for some advice. She’s been a single mom of two young children since her divorce a few years ago. Recently, she’s started dating again and is interested in pursuing a relationship, but she doesn’t know if that’s the right decision with two kids at home. What counsel can you offer Amber? … [Read more...]
Call the cops? Kick out a rebellious teen? Options when drastic steps are needed
Sometimes an older teen will be so out of control that drastic steps are needed. Should you advise the parents to kick out their child? What other options are there? Dr. Jim Newheiser, pastor at Grace Bible Church in Escondido, CA, and Dr. Bob Barnes, president of Sheridan House Family Ministries, a residential treatment program for teenagers in Fort Lauderdale, FL, respond … [Read more...]
“Pastor, how do I love my rebellious teen?”
I said I will always love [my daughter] Hannah, but I didn’t always like Hannah,” shares Rhonda. “Anything I asked her to do, she wanted to do the opposite. She was angry at life. She was not a pleasant child at all. “The emotional outbursts—it was hard. I had to come to a place where I would have to say to her, ‘You need to go into another room; we can’t talk about this … [Read more...]
Equipping your leaders to give good parenting advice
One opportunity your ministry leaders (elders, deacons, small-group leaders, etc.) probably will have at some time is the opportunity to advise distressed parents. Unfortunately, the advice they give might not be appropriate. People tend to give advice based on their own experiences. Thus, experienced parents tend to share what worked in their households and assume these … [Read more...]
3 surprising reasons kids misbehave
Caleb eats too much, plays roughly with other kids, and in general can’t control himself. Jesse is emotionally delayed and can’t get along with kids his own age. Iris has every toy and gadget available, but she craves adult attention. Sometimes it is difficult for us as church leaders to help parents when we don’t know the reasons kids misbehave. Sometimes it is the child’s … [Read more...]