Parent Education Ministry Ideas
Visit The Networks to find contact information for each congregation if interested
in learning more about these ideas.
Ideas from the Ohio Network


  • Emmaus Journey is holding playdates where Christian and non-Christian parents come to
    play and learn together with a church staff facilitator. (Emmaus Journey - North
    Ridgeville, OH)

  • Faith Lutheran Church has developed an intentional, faith formation path for families.  
    They are introducing Mile Markers… A Faith Journey.  Based on Deuteronomy 6:7, this
    is a 7 step process from Baby to Empty Nest that gives parents the tools and motivation to
    bless their child at different stages of growth and to link families together through
    mentoring.  Our “mile markers” are unique to our church and the needs of members
    from our Family Needs Survey. Check out what they are doing by clicking on these pdfs:
    Mile Markers Information.  Mile Markers Brochure.  (Faith Lutheran Church-Avon, Ohio
    Network.  For more information, contact Gail DeLuca)

  • Faith offers "Parenting with a Purpose" once a month as an educational program for
    parents. (Faith Lutheran - Avon, Ohio)


  • Hosanna is offering a Biblical parenting Bible Study for preschool parents. (Hosanna
    Lutheran - Columbia Station, OH)

  • St. Mark's has started "Active Parenting" classes for parents of 5-12 year olds. (St.
    Mark's - Milford, OH)

Ideas from Nebraska Network

  • Many members volunteer time and materials to the parenting classes and resources
    provided through the “Building Families Boutique” (Good Shepherd-Fremont)

  • Offered parenting class called “From Me to We” (Good Shepherd-Fremont)

  • Plan to have team in place by Fall 2009 to train in “Me to We” (Peace-Grand Island)

  • Family Reconciliation Training for congregational leaders—also introduced for the
    community (Immanuel-Tilden)

  • Small group Bible studies established that integrate family topics (Immanuel-Tilden)

  • Weekly “Bulletin Blurbs” that address family issues and provide a weekly family
    challenge (Immanuel-Tilden)

Ideas from Michigan #2 Network

  • St. Paul is starting Parenting with Love and Logic.  The goals are to provide a parenting
    education seminar for preschool families and to begin the process of offering parent
    education on a broad scale.  The seminar was focused on developing basic boundaries,
    discipline, guidelines, and respect in parenting. (St. Paul - Trenton)

  • Trinity is getting Dads talking with their children in a way that builds relationships using
    materials from All Pro Dad.  From 7:30-8:30am before school, dads gather with their kids
    at Trinity's Lutheran school to share breakfast and discuss questions such as "tell me
    what you love about your Dad/child?"  They had over 200 dads and kids attend. (Trinity -
    Utica)

  • Bethel has started Parent Information Meetings to inform and create discussion on
    current events, culture and trends. (Bethel - Howard City)

Ideas from North Wisconsin Network

  • Zion Lutheran is using the "Parenting is Heart Work" curriculum by Turansky and
    Miller with the parents of their confirmands.  (Zion Lutheran - Aniwa)

  • Held a Family Campout (Zion –Aniwa)

  • Organized an outdoor ministry project with families working (Zion – Aniwa)


  • Held parenting classes using the “Active Parenting Now” curriculum (Trinity – Ironwood,
    MI – Wisconsin Network)

  • Send home letters to the fathers/grandfathers of our 8th grade Confirmation students
    encouraging them to start a tradition through high school of taking their student out for
    breakfast once a month.  The letter told (or reminded) them how important the father’s
    influence is in the life of a teen. (Trinity – Ironwood, MI – Wisconsin Network)

  • “Honor Your Parents” is a date for youth with their parents, making a meal for them and
    playing various games as a family. (Zion – Colby)

  • Seventh grade Catechism spends a weekend helping parents do a “Family night” with
    their family. (Zion – Colby)

  • In 2010, one of St. Luke’s parenting champions began a morning Bible study for mom’s of
    our preschool children and members of the congregation.  The class has been well
    attended and they plan to continue it into the future with new resources.  In 2011, they
    plan to add parenting classes to their Sunday Adult Education plan.  The first class being
    taught is “Dealing with Today’s Teens” by Mark Gregston.  (St. Luke’s – Wisconsin
    Rapids, WI)

  • “Parenting Your Teenager” and “Parenting in the Pew.”  Also used Visionary Parenting
    materials and “Brining Up Boys”.  (Immanuel – Wisconsin Rapids, WI)
The Family Friendly Partners Network