Maximize Momentum with Baptisms (part 2)

What a joy it is to see teenagers put their faith in Jesus! Yesterday, we talked about a few ways to help students understand the spiritual commitments surrounding baptism. Today, we will explore ways your ministry can be sensitive to your students’ families. Baptisms create a great opportunity for a youth ministry to partner with families.

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Quick Tips for rookies & veterans on leading Youth Ministry Small Groups
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MAKE SURE THE PARENTS ARE ON BOARD
A family-friendly youth ministry helps parents understand their child’s spiritual journey. Give parents more than just baptism dates and times (although, don’t forget that critical information). Make sure you also instruct and encourage parents about the essentials surrounding baptism. Invite your parents to be a part of your ministry’s baptism class (if you have one).

Encourage students to talk to parents about their decisions. Conversations between parents and teenagers are rare, but a public commitment like baptism is a great chance for a student to connect with his/her parents about their faith. Talking to family members about baptism is also a great opportunity for the student to process and sharpen his opinion and experience as a follower of Jesus in a safe environment.

Ask parents for permission before you baptize their son or daughter. Most parents don’t want to miss the opportunity to invite extended family and friends to witness the event. This may mean you adjust your schedule and wait a week after camp to do baptisms. While this may be disappointing to your spontaneous plans, we believe it’s the right call to honor parents this way.

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Quick Tips for rookies & veterans on leading Youth Ministry Small Groups
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For families who don’t go to church, you may experience some skepticism. We’ve even experience some parents being hostile toward our “religious propaganda.” If you come across parents who don’t want their son/daughter to be baptized, we strongly advise you to allow the family time to figure it out on their own. Baptism isn’t a salvation issue and the teenager will have future opportunities to express their faith thru baptism at a later date.

In short, make sure your parents are on board, and not caught off guard by their child’s decision to be baptized.