Parenting Conference – Witkowski Blog

The “I want you” attached to a finger pointing Uncle Sam is one of the most iconic advertising campaigns of all time. And it’s one I’ve co-opted for our kids’ ministry at FBCE, Ministry For Generations (M4G). Parents, “I want you.”

You are the key to your kids’ spiritual wellbeing. Though I am committed to reaching your kids with the gospel, your words and actions will always carry more weight than mine. Not too surprisingly, God calls you to lead your kids (Deut. 6). As a children’s Pastor, I’m charged with encouraging, supporting, and equipping you to reach your kids. I want to work with you, not replace you. Whether we go canoeing or sit down to drink tea, I am seeking to create events where kids grow closer to God by building strong, gospel-focused relationships with you (their mom and/or dad).

Having a 15 month old, I am also increasingly aware that parents need times of refreshment and encouragement. My second goal is to create events that refresh you (our parents) such as our “Parents’ Night Out” and our “Parenting Conference.” I get that no one is called to spend every moment with their kids.

But parents, we are called to do life with our kids. I have know idea where we will all be 10-20 years from now. But this I do know: 10-20 years from now, your kids will still be your kids. You will still have an unparalleled ability to encourage, guide, and love your children long after they graduated out our kids’ ministry. I want you because you are the key to your kids success!

Most everyday my son loves to grab my keys, stretch as far he little toes will allow him, and touch a door knob. And I think he’s attempt at being a night watchman can be traced back to yours truly. For the past year or so, my son has regularly walked the halls of FBCE with me locking and unlocking doors. And now he wants a turn.

I mention the story because it illustrates just how much influence we parents have on our kids. Whether we realize or not, we are shaping our kids.

Now there are great coaches, inspiriting teachers, and godly pastors, but none of them can compete with a parent’s influence over their kid. Teachers and the like get our kids for a few hours. We have our kids for a lifetime.We are hold the key to our kids success.

God designed us as parents to lead our families. We read in the Deuteronomy 6 that we are supposed to teach our kids about God from the time they time we flip on junior’s bedroom light till the time we flip it off. And we are commanded to teach our kids about God because God knows that we are always teaching. We are either teaching our kids to trust in the power of the flesh and to love the world or we are encouraging them to obey God. Class is always in. And God wants us to make it about him.

To succeed as Parents, we must love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and strength. We must be growing in our faith, changing our attitudes, actions, and loves to align with scripture. To be good parents, we must have hearts ruled by God’s word.

Admittedly, becoming more like Jesus is a serious and at times arduous endeavor. We daily fight against selfish impulses, pride, arrogance, and laziness. We top spiritual mountains full of joy and we fall into valley of death filled with sorrow. We need help at times. And even if we are doing well, we can always benefit from godly encouragement and teaching. We can never be so blessed that we don’t need God’s word. Thankfully, God’s gives parents an awesome resource that does all these things. It’s called the church.

The church exists to encourage and to help everyone (adults included) grow in their understanding of God. Through the preaching of the word, the fellowship of other believers, and the admonishment of friends, we can have hearts ruled by God’s word.

This weekend (August 29 and 30) FBCE will be hosting its bi-annual Biblical Parenting Conference. We realize as a church staff that the best way to reach your kids is to encourage and build up parents. If you are able, we greatly encourage you to be a part of the conference. And if you can’t be a part of it or other conferences, make your spiritual growth a priority. Study the word, commit to a local church, and study a book or two on parenting (see the must reads page for some great suggestions).