WHO HAS THE POWER…OF INFLUENCE?

Many times working in youth ministry, I hear parents say they feel like they aren’t getting through to their students and that they hope I can have better success than them. Hey, no pressure right? As if God has given me magical powers, or anointed me the pied piper of students!

But it does raise a good question, “Who are the most influential people in teenager’s lives?” Most people, me included, would make the guess that it would have to be their friends. But, in recent surveys I have seen over the past 5 years, the number one ranked most influential people in a student’s life are PARENTS, with friends following at number two. And where do the magical pastors and youth pastors rank? In the high 40’s!!!

Shocking? Not if you think about it. Students spend the majority of their lives with whom? Parents! Who teaches them values? Parents! In my experience in youth ministry I see first hand the lasting and powerful impact parents have on their students and their student’s relationship with Christ. I have even had conversations with your students where they have told me of your impact, as parents, in their lives. How their values, worldview (although they didn’t use that word), and faith are shaped primarily by you. As one of my mentors in youth ministry put it: “Even in this age of overwhelming media influence, increasing teenage independence, and large-scale youth ministry; you (parents) are the main voice in your teenager’s world!”

As a parent myself, what I write both encourages and convicts me! God has designed it to be this way, with parents leading the charge if influence in their children’s lives. I hope and pray that you are refreshed to know that not only has God appointed you to be the primary influence in your student’s life, but your student has made you #1 as well. They are listening to you, they are watching how you live, and you are having an impact!

May God continue to pour out His grace on our lives as we seek to impact these students, this culture and the world. May we continually be evaluating our own lives - what we are saying, how we are living – recognizing this high calling God has placed on our lives as the number one influence in student’s lives…PARENTS!