One of the most important goals for a Next-Gen leader is helping to activate your families to
take on the personal responsibility to raise and disciple their children as the center of their
spiritual formation. What seems incredibly frustrating is the reality of trying accomplish that in
the 1-2 hour a week window we call “church service” on top of the running around, checking
in, last minute volunteer finding, and the occasional puke cleaning. We need another plan, so
here are 4 ways Next-Gen church leaders can connect and influence parents beyond service
times.

1.Host Family-Friendly Events
One of the requirements for Biblically approved Pastoral leaders is to be “given to hospitality”
(1 Tim 3:2). If we are not careful, this opportunity of hosting guests can sometimes be buried
under the tasks and service schedules that are demanded by your weekly ministry. Creating
opportunities for families to come together in a relaxed setting can significantly strengthen
your connects with them, as well as, allow for extended conversation and discipleship. Author
and speaker Stephen Covey states, “The key is not spending time, but investing it.” Is there
any better way to invest our time than in people who are raising the next generation of
disciples, teachers, and world leaders? Host a game night, throw a BBQ or picnic, or just invite
some families over to try out a new recipe! Don’t make it complicated – invite, talk, and let
God open up doors as you use this platform to strengthen relationships.

2.Participate in Community Activities
Being active in the broader community can help build trust and foster new and meaningful
relationships. Pastor and author Tom Nelson said, “At the same time we are trying to help
people understand the importance of a remarkable, transformational, God-honoring, Sunday
corporate gathered experience, the mission of every pastor/leader should also be focusing on
equipping people for their Monday world in the scattered church.” One of the best ways to do
that is to live in that Monday world yourself by participating in your community alongside
your families. One real danger of ministry is the isolating effect of spending all your time in
the office, pouring it all out at weekend gatherings, and hiding away at home recovering just
to get up and do it all over again. Ever been there? Try volunteering for local projects or
Christ-honoring charities alongside your families. Attend school shows, sporting events or try
wading into the wide-world of coaching and get some extra opportunities to speak into the
kids in your ministries. What you might pick up in extra tasks, will be far outweighed by the
deeply driven Godly values you instill as you capitalize on the natural interactions of
community activities.

3.Offer Mentoring and Coaching
Sometimes a more intimate and personal approach can help provide some needed support
for key families or parents who are struggling. John Maxwell once said, “Christian mentors do
not build a reliance on themselves, but point their proteges to God.” Whether it’s just a
routine check-in or a structured counseling program focused on specific areas of parenting
and formation, spending time one-on-one with parents can provide valuable support and
demonstrate the kind of commitment you want to see them have for their own children’s
spiritual growth. Carve some time out of that busy schedule and make sure your people know
you have that time dedicate for them.

4. Create a Digital Connection
Using digital tools can help bridge the gap between your personal Sunday interactions and
enhance your relationships. You can jump into conversations online and speak into parents
lives as often as you have opportunity (and on social media, the opportunities are almost
endless!) Why not lead your tribe by creating an online group or virtual space to discuss
important topics or create a ’round table’ and learn what your families are dealing with and
how you can support them on their journeys to raise a Godly generation? Be sure to balance
those interactions by providing valuable content, as well as, your opinion (and don’t be that
guy/gal who is always sending those ‘share if you love Jesus’ posts!)
The limited time you have at the weekend gatherings can be transformed into the capstone of
a week filled with the investments you’ve made by implementing strategies to connect and
influence parents beyond service times. These approaches (among many others) can be vital
for building and maintaining the influence that leads your families to become the formational
powerhouses they have been called to be for the next generations.