Archive for 'Parents'
What is innocence?
Posted on 24. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
Okay, this post is a continuation of the series I began last week about porn, sex and chidlren’s ministry. When I got home on Thursday night, my wife and I had an interesting talk about what I’d been writing (I’d been out of town most of the week, so we haven’t talked like normal). We talked quite a bit about timing with our son Titus and how soon we begin having certain talks. We talked about that tension of “taking away his innocence” on our terms versus having him overhear someone else say something that steals it away.
This conversation got me thinking a lot about innocence. It seems to be one of the reason (or excuses) some parents wait so late to talk to their kids.… Read the rest
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Wrapping up Sex, Pornography and Kidmin
Posted on 23. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
I’m planning to wrap up the series I began last week revolving around sex, pornography and Children’s Ministry on Monday and Tuesday. It’s been a great series as so many people have been so positive and have welcomed the conversation. I didn’t really expect any less. However, talking about this stuff is a little disappointing as it seems that most people agree that it’s a problem and very few people seem to be actively doing anything about it. Yes, talking to kids about this stuff is the parents job, but it doesn’t seem like many churches are really doing anything about helping parents have these vital talks at the age when it’s most important.
So, hopefully in these last few days of discussion, we’ll potentially cover some new territory.… Read the rest
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Kids caught in the porn trap
Posted on 20. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
So this week I’ve broached the subject of sex, porn and Children’s Ministry, but I mostly opened the conversation about parent driven sex talks and resources. I haven’t said much about pornography though. Hopefully, thorough parent-driven sex talks will address pornography and prepare kids for when they’ll be exposed to it. However, is there a way for the church to help address this problem more intentionally?
The numbers speak for themselves. 12-18 year olds are significant consumers of pornography. The average age of first exposure is eight. All of us have children in our ministries who are being exposed to porn and many are developing addictions. Many of these kids are already caught int he trap. They’re lured back to it time and time again because of their new-found appetite, but they’re also carrying this shame and guilt they’ve never carried before.… Read the rest
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The perfect age to talk to your kids about sex
Posted on 19. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
I hope the title wasn’t misleading, but I’m not sure there is a right or a wrong answer to the question, “what age is best for the sex talk?”
However, what I’m learning from Godly men and women who have gone down this path ahead of me as well as common sense from living in the over-sexed culture we live in, beginning the conversation about sex earlier is better than waiting too late. The tension to fight is how do I protect their innocence as long as possible without allowing a negative influence begin the conversation without me. Kids have the right to a childhood free of the stain of perversion; however, when the images, words and thoughts come into their minds, I want them all to be filtered though the truth I was able to expose them to first.… Read the rest
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Don’t have the sex talk with your kids!
Posted on 19. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
I’m continuing to engage the conversation this week about how we can protect kids from the dangers of pornography and sex outside of God’s plan. One of the topics that seem central to this is the sex talk. The one parents have with their kids. Yesterday I mentioned that many parents may be waiting too late to have the sex talk as kids are already over-exposed to sex by the time parents muster up the guts to have the conversation.
However, a few months ago I came across a site where I read the absolute best advice I’ve ever heard about the sex talk.
The advices to parents was: Don’t have the sex talk with your kids!
You’re probably thinking, “what?… Read the rest
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Resources for the sex talk
Posted on 18. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
Since we’re on the topic of helping parents be prepared to talk to their kids about sex, let’s talk about what resources you know of. I’ll be perfectly honest. My son is three, and we’re not even remotely thinking about the sex conversation yet, so I have no idea what books or resources there are. Some of you have already gone through this with your kids or you already actively recommend some books. Please share here. What books would you recommend and for what age is it best suited for? Please share in the comments!… Read the rest
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The sex talk: Are we waiting too late?
Posted on 18. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
Yesterday I breached the subject of sex, porn and children’s ministry. Today I want to press further into the subject. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot recently and something some people brought up in the comments from yesterday’s post. I know that a lot of parents don’t sit down and have the “big talk” until their kids are 12 or 13. I’d be curious to see a breakdown by percentages. I’d be even more curious to see how many parents never sit down to tell their kids about sex. However, if it really is true that kids begin getting exposed to pornographic imagery by the age of 8, 9 and 10, then we have a problem. By the time parents are starting to have the talk, their kids already have a very strong reference point.… Read the rest
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Sex, Porn and Children’s Ministry
Posted on 17. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
Okay, I think that title officially breaks the ice. 
So, I’ve been struggling with some heavy thoughts concerning sex and pornography and how it affects kids since early November. It’s a pretty heavy topic and I just wanted to think about how I’d open this important conversation that nobody seems to be having. I don’t know, maybe someone is, but I’ve not seen it or heard it anywhere.
Back in November, my church had a service titled “Porn Sunday.” Although hot topic over uncomfortable subjects like pornography seem to create a stir, it was a powerful service that attacked the issue head on and we saw lots of people begin to deal with addictions and dealings with pornography. But it was during that service where I heard and saw some statistics that turned my stomach.… Read the rest
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Supporting Parents
Posted on 11. Jan, 2011 by Kenny.
While on my last Infuse retreat with Bro. Jim, a very interesting discussion broke out while my fellow infusers were working on a project. We were talking about the church’s responsibility to support, equip and inspire parents. I strongly believe that to a certain degree, the church should be involved in all of these things. Most parents need inspiration. They need how important it is that they take the lead and what will happen if they don’t. Parents also need to be equipped. Either through classes, small groups or even resources, we can equip them to fulfill the role God has given them to do. Last of all, we need to support our parents. They’re going to need help along the way and we’re here to help, right?… Read the rest
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Paging Parents: Am I crazy?
Posted on 09. Dec, 2010 by Kenny.
In a few weeks were holding 7 Christmas Eve services. Due to platform designs, media we’re displaying on the screens and other issues, we’re not able to page parents the way we normally do, which is flashing their unique alpha-numeric code on the top or bottom of the main screen. The programing team has asked that we look into using text messaging on cell phones as an option and I said,”absolutely!” Although there could be the 1 or 2 parents who don’t have a cell phone, but I guess I’m banking on that not being an issue. Who doesn’t have a cell phone now days.
This brings up a good point though. There are some Sunday’s where because of special media or a unique set, our paging system didn’t work.… Read the rest
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