Why Grandparenting Ministry Matters

I've been writing quite a bit about Grandparenting Ministry. You may see these posts and wonder why I'm writing about grandparenting on a Children's Ministry blog. The reason is because when a Children's Ministry is a strong supporter of Grandparenting Ministry in their church, the children, families, Children's Ministry and entire church benefit.

One time when my grandsons were at my house and we were getting ready for bedtime, Josiah, Caleb, Poppa and I talked about what it means when the Bible says, "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." A few days later when the boys were here, we had a big thunder storm pass through and our power went out. Since it was bedtime, this meant it was quite dark here in the house without any power. We used a flashlight to see where we were going.

So, as we talked about what this verse meant, the boys were able to visualize having a lamp or light to show the way. We talked about how God's Word does this for us by helping us know what is the right way to go and the right thing to do. Then we prayed to thank God for giving us His Word, the Bible, so we can know the right thing to do! I was so happy to hear my grandsons thank God for the Bible and thank Him for helping us know what is the right thing to do!

Passing on a heritage of faith is so important to me. I want my sweet grandsons to grow up and be young men who choose to love, know and walk with God for the rest of their lives. Evenings like these leave me encouraged and praising God for how these sweet boys are able to hear, understand and express thanks and praise to God for His Word. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to talk with the boys about God's Word; and really, there is nothing better I could do with my time as a grandma!
I know how to engage my grandsons in intentional ways through specific conversations and through activities like those provided in Science, the Bible & Fun, but many of my friends who are grandparents have asked me what they can do. They have told me they do not know what to do to pass on a heritage of faith. It is not that they do not want to pass on this heritage, but they do not know how.

This is why it matters for churches to commit to engaging grandparents; equipping and encouraging them, so they know how to pass on a heritage of faith. Churches need to focus on Grandparenting Ministry, because there are grandparents in every church who want to know what to do to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren and when they do, the children will be impacted in powerful ways. Grandparents have a unique, God-given role and a special position of relationship from which they are able to make a real difference in the lives of their grandchildren - often the children in your ministry.

How are you engaging grandparents in your ministry? If you are not, take a serious look at what you can do to engage the grandparents in your ministry. Consider attending the Legacy Grandparenting Summit and contact the Legacy Coalition for help because, Grandparenting Ministry - it matters!