FAMILY NETWORKING Purpose To Teach successful parenting techniques and thereby receive God’s promised blessing. Objective To emphasize the importance of parental accountability, authority, and responsibility of child training.

The Adventurer Family Network? A regular event An opportunity Parent-based Worthwhile Simple to start

PARENTAL EMPOWERMENT Parents are to be recognized as the key “relational minister,” those who more than anyone else can create the sense of trust, love, and concern that is foundational to the development of “openness” of faith. Parents must be seen as the “primary evangelizers” of their children. No single factor influences the faith development of a child than does the witness and faith life of parents. Those in children/youth ministry must help parents to fulfill this vital role by offering a support system (program) to the parent in child/adolescent development.

ORGANIZING AN AFN Learn about AFN Discuss AFN with Parents and Staff Obtain Church Approval Adjust List of Suggested Topics to Needs of Group Set a Date for Opening Night & Plan Program

ORGANIZING AN AFN, cont. Distribute AFN Flyers & Topic Sheets to Parents At Opening Program, Have Parents Suggest Topics for Year Make Schedule of AFN Meeting Dates & Topics Plan Program for First AFN Meeting Arrange Publicity, Speakers, & Materials for Each Meeting – Getting Feedback from Parents

ATTRACTING PARENTS Expect all Adventurer parents to attend AFN meetings as part of their membership obligation. Hold the meeting at a time when parents and Adventurer staff can be present. Providing childcare is not a requirement, but it is a help to the parent. Should be held at a different time than the Adventurer meeting. (after a church potluck) Chapter 4 of the Adventurer Staff Manual has sample programs avail. Also has a 4 year schedule outlined to run a successful AFN program.

GETTING THEM THERE Send Flyers of Upcoming Activity Provide Schedule of AFN Activities Organize AFN around Parents Place Poster in Church Ask Church Leaders to Recommend AFN

GETTING THEM THERE, 2 Hold One AFN Program / Yr. in Non- Church Setting Have a Guest Meeting Open to All Advertise on Radio & in Newspapers Send Press Release to Newspaper

BRINGING THEM BACK Include Adventurer Parents in Decisions Welcome Each Person Individually Use “Ice-Breaker” to Introduce People Allow All People to Interact Provide Healthful Refreshments Keep in Contact with Parents

PARENT PINS CRITERIA Regular Attendance at AFN Meetings Supporting Adventurer Club Leadership Participation in Adventurer Club Functions Investiture of Child Completing Parent Responsibility Sheets

FAMILY NETWORKING Special Thanks to Mark Wakefield