blogging in 2009

I hope that this young year finds all you parents doing well. Like everyone, I'm trying to make some changes in the new year. Really, though, I'm trying to make changes all the time, I just don't feel so weird for it in January. One thing I'm doing different in 2009 is trying to communicate better with all my wonderful parents. Last year I started experimenting with communicating with parents through this wonderful new invention call the "internet" (thanks again, Al). It worked pretty well, so I'm going to be using it even more this year.

I have resolved to post to the parents' blog every Thursday in 2009. In fact, Thursdays will no longer be called "Thursday" in the SCOCYM, but instead Blogday. Yesterday I was in a youth ministry conference all day, so I've already messed up on the resolution. That went well.

Here will be the standard lineup per month -
1st Blogday - Notes on events and deadlines on the near-horizon. Find out what activities are going on and how you can get your child involved.

2nd Blogday - Updates on the philosophical side of youth ministry. In other words, what we're trying to accomplish and why, and what you as parents can do to help.

3rd Blogday - Resources for parents. I will post something designed to help you as parents. You ARE the front-line of youth ministry, and as much as I hate to admit it, you are way more influential than me on whether or not your child succeeds and understands and accepts Christianity. I also hate to admit that you most likely know WAY more than me about parenting - as you've been doing it longer than me. That is why I will rarely offer much advice of my own, but rather give you links to resources or equip you with facts and data about teen culture in the 21st century.

4th Blogday - Open forum. I'll post a topic and turn you parents loose to discuss it in comments. Teens need community - any youth minister who expects to keep his job through the summer understands that. Parents need community too. It's a hard calling that you've been given to raise your children in the teachings and Spirit of Christ, and the support of others who have been there or are there themselves is an invaluable resource.

On the rare occasion that a month blesses us with 5 Blogdays, there is no telling what kind of fun stuff I may come up with.

Also keep in mind that I may put last minute updates on here, so make sure and check it often. I HIGHLY suggest using a rss reader of some sort to keep up to date. If you don't know what that is, tune in next Blogday (that's Thursday for those who are kind of slow to catch on) and I'll post about what it is and how to use it. If you read friends' and family's blogs, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

I hope all of you are having a great 2009 so far and can't wait to be back in SC this weekend.