Thursday's general session was with Reggie Joiner. Reggie is the founder of Orange. He is also one of the founding pastors of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. In his role there as the executive director of family ministry, Reggie developed the concepts of ministry for preschoolers, children, students, and married adults over the course of his 11 years with the church. He is the co-author of Seven Practices of Effective Ministries and the author of Think Orange, Parent Beyond Your Capacity, as well as the Orange Leaders Handbook. Reggie and Debbie Joiner live in Cumming, Georgia, and have four grown children.- We have around 40 hours per year to minister to children at church. Parents have over 3000 hours.
- No one has more potential to influence a child's relationship with God than a parent.
- All parents have spiritual influence...it's either positive or negative.
- Is what you are doing effective? Sometimes there needs to be a systems overhaul.
- We hold up the picture of the perfect family and tell people this is what they need to be. Families don't need a better picture...they need a better story.
- Only 23% of kids live with both biological parents. 75% of the families you are trying to minister to are not like that "perfect" picture.
- Just because a family is not the "perfect picture" doesn't mean there is not a bigger story at work.
- Approach ministry from a bigger story instead of a better picture.
- Every family needs to know there is hope.
- Don't buy into the myth that you have to be a certain type of parent before God can use you in the life of your child.
- Parent's don't need more to do. They need something more strategic.
- Make it easy for parents to win.
- Churches should do less for kids and more for families.
- It's not just about content. It's about content driven through relationships.
- What happens in your home is more important than what happens in your ministry.
- One day someone will be doing your job but no one else can be the father or mother your kids need.
- Fight for the heart of your kids.
Posted by Dale Hudson
