In the last 50 years our history has been to staff our churches and provide Christian education programs and Sunday school for children but not invite parents (unless of course we need teachers). This creates a drop-off syndrome. Implementing programs in the congregation without inviting and helping parents understand their crucial role as faith models for their children is the “cause”. The drop-off syndrome is the “effect.”

I believe this cause-and-effect has had a huge impact on our Sunday school programs and the way we do Christian education. I have read many articles lately in ministry magazines about the importance of parents being involved in the faith life of their children and what a difference it can make for the success of a program if parents are involved. But how do we find ways to get parents on board?

If you’re diving in to Head to the Heart but need a bit of a game plan on how to begin, the following list is a great place to start. It is by no means a comprehensive list, but draws upon the experience and stories of many veteran Head to the Heart (H2H) churches.

1. A vision of what you’d like confirmation to be

Head to the Heart has been built to help churches do three things: teach the content better, keep the kids around after confirmation day, and equip parents for ministry at home. If you’re simply in the market for a toolbox of materials, then H2H will fit the bill. We’ve worked hard to provide churches with multiple multi-sensory teaching options. However, H2H is about much more than confirmation instruction – H2H is about confirmation ministry. If you have the vision to connect kids to parents to church (and blur the lines between all three), H2H will fit the bill.

2. Allies on board with you

If you’ve developed a vision of a more complete confirmation ministry at your church, you’re going to need some help if you’re going to change things. Gather as many allies as you can to spread the word and explain the vision, especially to parents. Just one other person on board can help tremendously, especially if that one person is a parent with kids in the program – parents carry a lot of clout with other parents.

3. The Head to the Heart materials in hand as soon as possible

“How do I get volunteers to commit their time and help with Christian education?” is the question I was asked at a Faith Formation Clinic held at Gettysburg Seminary this past weekend.

I answered with two questions: 1. Do you regularly meet with your education team? 2. Are those helping encouraged and empowered to be helping where their spiritual gifts shine?” The answer was, “We have a meeting at the beginning of the year and assign roles.”

As you begin planning for your Christian education program this year, I’d suggest we, as leaders, set the following steps into motion and intentionally make them part of a plan to care for volunteers not just once a year, but at regular intervals year round.

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