Why Christian parents should embrace the role of Church parent

As teens navigate faith without family by their side, Zoë Mellen thinks that Christian parents are uniquely placed to offer encouragement, friendship, and prayer

A couple of years ago, a good friend asked me if I would take her teenage son along to church. This was framed as if I’d be doing her a great favour, but you can imagine how thrilled I was! They were a family I’d annually invited to attend a carol service followed by a meal at my home. It was such an encouragement and privilege to sit with him in the service and to encourage him to get to know others in my church family. His mum started referring to me as his “church mum,” leading me to consider the role which older, mature Christians might play in supporting young people attending church without a parent or carer.

Could we, as “church parents,” be “as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging [these young people] to live lives worthy of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)? How wonderful to be not just Rufus’ mother but also a mother to Paul! (Romans 16:13).

It is important to clarify that we are never to usurp the role of the biological or adoptive parent. God has ordained the earthly family we are part of, and we should encourage young people to honour their parents and be grateful for them. In respect of those under 18, we need to be mindful of safeguarding issues. In our enthusiasm to help and encourage, we must not cross boundaries that our church has rightly put in place.

When my friend’s son started attending church, I worked hard to introduce him to other members of the church family

That said, what can we do to welcome those coming to church without their parents? Look out for ……