Letter to Family of Departed Student (struggling to connect at their new church)

 Hi _________Family,

 

-I want to encourage you guys to continue to pray and move forward with integrating (student's name) into the life of your new church. 

-There are often students who attend every other week, and no one thinks it’s a big deal. Just show up when you can. Every time that you can. 

-I should also encourage you to make friends with other student’s parents, and even to organize outings or get togethers off campus. Plan some really fun things like Airsoft, Arcade, or Boating trip type things that will fast forward the connecting process. Feel free to even pay for anyone going. Starting out like this, he needs to put lots of “Change in the bank” so to speak. The main goal as a family is to help him feel comfortable and right at home. The better the students can get to know each other, and the more positive memories they can make (again may need to be facilitated by the families), the stronger their connection will be. 

 

Also, feel free to communicate a sense of where he’s at with his new youth pastor. Not in a complaining way, but looking to them as a partner to help them network while you’re not around.

 

A Big Goal: 7 friends at church. That’s what it takes statistically to stick long-term. It will take cooperation, focus, and consistency.  

 

Please check out this article to help frame a solid outlook for this chapter in his (and your) lives.

http://sampleyouthministry.blogspot.com/2020/06/make-friends-like-boss.html

 

Warning: It will get more difficult over time if he can’t seem to break the ice with his peer group. Now is the time!

Blessings,

Youth Pastor