Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter Printer-Friendly

November 2003

Dear Christian Leader,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry.

This month we want to provide you with tips on involving parents in your club program. Getting parents involved will give you extra help and keep them up-to-date on what’s happening in club. It might also get them interested in being regular volunteers.

10 Tips for Involving Parents

1. Ask parents to help. Don’t be shy about asking parents to help. They may be very willing to do so but only need to be asked. Let them know about your needs.

2. Have parents sign up to help with Award Activity times. Send a survey home asking about parents’ abilities, hobbies, and skills. A woodworker, for example, could help with a building project. A nurse or doctor could assist with an award on health. Almost anyone could help with most of the awards.

3. Have parents help with Bible Exploration. If the meeting calls for someone to play a Bible character, recruit a parent. Or ask a parent to guide kids in planning a skit or working in their handbooks.

4. Have parents involved in other aspects of club. They could arrive early to set up a room or stay late to clean up and store supplies. They could glue awards to banners, or they may be happy to help with transportation needs or take turns carpooling.

5. Get parents involved in your special events. Each plan book for Skippers through Trailblazers includes plans for two holiday meetings. Ask parents to attend these special events. Also, many Unit Award Celebrations provide a time for parents to join club members. Have parents sign up to be on a planning committee for a special event. The Parties and Special Events book (item #2721) is a good resource.

6. Ask parents to pray for a club member other than their child. Send them a picture of your group with that child marked. The more they know about that child, the more they can pray effectively for that child.

7. Plan events that involve both parents and children. For example, have a bike ride or a caroling party. Or walk together on the Kids for Kids Hike. Visit http://www.pioneerclubs.org/lrc/hikebook-index.asp.

8. Send out a New Club Parent Letter. Whenever a new child visits or joins club, send the parents a letter of thanks for letting the child come. Give information about Pioneer Clubs and the club group the child is in. The letter can include a calendar of club events. Send a list of other Christian education ministries that your church provides for families. This is also an ideal way to survey parents on how they can help in club.

9. Ask parents to provide food or supplies. They can help with Snack or bring items for the Award Activity, Game, or other parts of a meeting.

10. See parental involvement as a benefit. Parents who understand more fully what goes on in club will become more committed to club. You’ll receive their support and appreciation. As you build relationships, you’ll also get to know more about children and home situations.

Changed Lives
“At our program here, parents are always welcome as helpers in our clubs. A few years ago a girl named Danielle began attending our Pathfinder Club. Her mom, Patti, came along to help. One evening the club leader explained the plan of salvation and invited the girls to ask Jesus into their lives. Danielle prayed ‘the sinner’s prayer’ there that night and so did Patti! But, as exciting as that was, God wasn’t done yet. They began attending our church and brought Tracy (the husband and father) along with them. Last spring, our church hosted a concert. During the invitation Tracy gave his life to Christ. So a whole family came to faith all because of Pioneer Clubs.” –Don Francis, pastor, First Baptist Church, Bellevue, Michigan

We’d love to hear testimonies of how your club has seen God at work. Please e-mail hwilley@pioneerclubs.org with your name, church name, and how you’ve seen God at work in your club.

Today’s Kids...
...need to know they can be honest with God and talk to him about anything. Encourage club members to talk to God about anything that concerns them. Help unchurched kids understand what prayer is.

Reflections

“A halfhearted attempt to cultivate our children’s spiritual development will lead to young people with halfhearted commitment to God.” –Benny and Sheree Phillips, Raising Kids Who Hunger for God

Lighter Side

During Sunday school the teacher wanted to explore the children’s notion of God. She began with the question, “Timmy, who is God?” Timmy is six years old. His brow furrowed as he thought about the question. After a few seconds, a smile came to his face. “God,” he said, “is the man who saved the Queen.”