In children’s ministry, communication with parents is not just helpful—it’s critical. Parents are the primary spiritual influencers in their child’s life, and your role as a children’s ministry leader is to support, encourage, and resource them. Effective communication helps bridge the gap between church and home, allowing parents to continue faith conversations, reinforce lessons, and participate in their child’s spiritual growth. When parents are in the loop, it helps foster a partnership between the ministry and the family, creating a foundation for lasting spiritual development. However, keeping parents informed and engaged is not always easy, especially in today’s busy and distracted world.
The Challenges of Communication in Today’s World
Busy Schedules and Sporadic Church Attendance
Parents today juggle countless responsibilities. Between work, extracurricular activities, and personal obligations, many families are stretched thin. Church attendance has become increasingly sporadic, with some families attending only once or twice a month. This inconsistent presence can make it difficult to build rapport and maintain regular communication. When parents aren’t consistently present, important announcements, event invitations, or updates can easily get missed.
How People Receive Communication
We live in a digital age where everyone has their preferred mode of communication. Some parents check their emails religiously, while others only glance at their inboxes occasionally. Many parents rely on social media, while others prefer the immediacy of text messages. Some even appreciate good old-fashioned paper flyers. This diverse range of preferences makes it difficult to ensure that your message reaches everyone, especially when you consider the overwhelming amount of communication noise most parents face.
Church as a Low Priority
For families that are new believers or those who are already balancing hectic schedules, church can sometimes slip down the list of priorities. When parents are already overwhelmed by daily life, keeping up with the latest children’s ministry announcements or being aware of upcoming events can feel like just another task on an endless to-do list. As a result, communication from the church can be unintentionally overlooked.
Despite these challenges, staying connected with parents is possible—and necessary! By being creative, consistent, and clear, you can break through the noise and ensure parents feel informed, supported, and engaged in their child’s spiritual journey.
The Three C’s of Effective Communication
Creativity
In today’s world, where information overload is real, creativity can help your communication stand out. A creative approach captures parents’ attention and can add an element of fun to your ministry’s messages.
- Short, Engaging Videos: Create quick recap videos (1-2 minutes) featuring ministry highlights, upcoming events, or even interviews with volunteers and kids. Parents are more likely to watch a short, engaging video than read through a long newsletter.
- Fun Social Media Campaigns: Use platforms like Instagram or Facebook to share ministry moments, upcoming events, and volunteer needs. Create photo challenges (e.g., “Show us your Sunday smile!”) or polls to engage parents. You can also share quick devotional thoughts or questions parents can ask their kids to spark faith conversations at home.
- Bathroom Stall Posters: Yes, you read that right! Even busy parents stop to “take a break.” Placing fun, colorful posters in bathroom stalls (or above urinals) can be an unexpected but effective way to share upcoming event details, safety reminders, or even spiritual encouragement.
Consistency
In communication, consistency is key. When parents know when and how to expect updates, they’re more likely to engage. A scattered approach, on the other hand, can lead to important information getting lost.
- Weekly Email Newsletters: Create a consistent rhythm for your communication, such as a weekly email that is always sent at the same time each week. Include ministry highlights, upcoming events, and a section for “Parent Resources” (helpful tips, discussion points, or articles).
- Text Messaging for Urgent Updates: Use text messaging for quick, urgent announcements such as last-minute event changes, reminders about registration deadlines, or safety updates. Services like Remind or GroupMe allow for easy and organized communication.
- Flyers and Take-Homes: Don’t estimate the power of paper! Yes, you see many around the church that never even make it out of the building, but you don’t see the ones that end up on kitchen counters or stuck to refrigerators. Keep fliers simple with a link to more detailed info.
- Information Hub: Create a One-Spot-Stop for all the info they need. Whether it is a physcial Info Hub at church, or an online page you keep updated, provide a place to get answers when they are wanted. Parents may not pay attention to every message you send out, but give them an easy way to get the information they want when they want it.
Clarity
Clear communication eliminates confusion and makes parents feel confident and informed. When your messages are concise and to the point, parents are more likely to read them—and more likely to act on them.
- Keep Message Short and On Point: Don’t overwhelm with details. Answer the basics: When – Where – What – How to Register, etc. Provide a link for more detail, if and when they want it.
- Event Reminders: People are forgetful. Answer questions before they are asked with timely reminders they will appreciate. Provide simple and clear timeline for upcoming events—what’s happening and when, along with important deadlines—can keep busy parents from missing important dates. Publish a print and online calendar that is easy to find.
- Use Multiple Formats: Parents have various preferences: e-mail, texts, social media, flyers, etc. Communicate in multiple methods to ensure the message reaches them. Also, know who you just need to call and give a personal invitation too. The phone is not outdated, in fact, it’s still one of the most effective communication tools ever invented. Taking the time to call through a list is far more effective than an e-mail blast that takes seconds to send out. (Because they know that.)
- Volunteer Requests: Don’t be afraid to keep volunteer needs before your parents, but do it in a positive manner. “Current Volunteer Opportunities” in a newsletter over time can produce results.
Practical Ideas for Breaking Through the Noise
Here are a few more creative and practical methods to keep parents informed:
- Text Reminders: Use a service like Text in Church to send automated text reminders for key events, safety protocols, or volunteer needs.
- Social Media Groups: Create a private Facebook group or WhatsApp chat for parents to receive updates, ask questions, and build community. Share ministry highlights, prayer requests, and event photos to keep parents engaged.
- Parent Communication Stations: In high-traffic areas like the children’s ministry check-in area, set up a station with flyers, a bulletin board, or even a digital screen that scrolls through upcoming events and announcements. Bathroom stall posters, as mentioned earlier, can also be a unique communication spot!
- Email Signature Links: In every email you send, include links to your children’s ministry social media pages or a sign-up sheet for the newsletter. This keeps your ministry at the forefront of parents’ minds.
- Parent-Child Interaction: After every Sunday service or event, offer a quick take-home resource or discussion prompt that parents can use to reinforce the lesson or theme during the week.
You Can Do It!
Breaking through the communication noise with parents may feel daunting, but it’s possible with a thoughtful, consistent approach. Start small, stay steady, and don’t hesitate to ask for feedback. Find out from parents how they best like to receive information and what topics are most important to them. With creativity, consistency, and clear communication, you’ll soon see more engaged parents, stronger partnerships, and a more vibrant children’s ministry that extends far beyond the church walls. GO FOR IT!
Helpful Resource: Ministry Management Video Training: Mastering Communication
LINKS: kidology.org/management05
BONUS: Bundle of 20 Parent Graphics like the ones in this article
