Tim has a great discussion going on over at his blog. Jump on over and check it out and join in. The topic: When parents ground their kids from youth group.
Here’s a clip;
One question that’s popped up several times lately is what to do when parents use church as a form of punishment and ground their kids from youth group activities. GiGi Logan, the Children’s and Youth Ministry Director at All Saint’s Episcopal Church in North Carolina, writes in an email, “…parents don’t realize that they’re teaching their kids that church is like a cell phone, TV, etc. and that’s SO NOT COOL!”
As a parent do you consider this a viable option? Why or why not?
Filed under: family, friend's blogs, student ministry
I’m obviously not a parent, but when I used to be a Christian my mom had grounded me from church once also. It made me really mad because church was really the only place I fit in at, it was like my second home. And it really, truly was a punishment. Youth group, for a lot of kids, is a place to get away and just relax and be themselves. So yes, it is a good punishment.
Does that make it right? No. It’s like trying to keep your child from God (in the a christian perspective..obviously…) which is totally wrong. But on another note–It does teach your child (sort of…if you explain it to them…or they somehow realize it on their own) that they don’t need to go to church to worship, praise, and pray to god. You can do those types of things in your very own room…and thats a good lesson for young christians to learn.
So, its really just a two-edged sword and depends on how you look at it IMHO.
Laters,
Hope