Communicating with Parents of Your Youth Group Members

Last week I blogged about a communication strategy with your students.  I thought I would add some thoughts on how to communicate with the parents of youth group members as well.

I believe the most important element of communicating with parents is being available to talk. Are you hanging around after church or are you already racing off to a youth meeting? Build in some time after services, when you can be in the back of church, just hanging out and talking with folks. You might also post hours during the week when you are in your office, along with sharing your phone number with parents and encouraging calls.

As for actual communication tools, much like I suggested last week with youth, use a variety of tools to reach parents.  If you can get the email addresses of parents, use that data to send regular updates to parents.  You can “friend” most of them on Facebook as well.  And don’t forget texting.  More than 65% or those now texting are over the age of 25.

If your budget allows, you can always send printed updates to the parents of your youth as well.

My suggested strategy for communicating with parents is really not all that different than the strategy for students. The most important aspect of any communication strategy is to meet your audience where they want to be met, and measure how you are doing.   If you build a partnership with parents and keep them involved in your youth ministry, you’ll have far fewer surprises and far more support.