Parents are the Key

If you are in Youth Ministry, you probably are aware that "late July" means "school is starting soon, and it is time to map out the Church Sunday School program for the year." 

For many years, it has been a passion of mine to help those leaders with just that task. We started Bridges to Orthodoxy 7 years ago after already writing and testing curriculum for about 5 years.

It is bittersweet of me to say, that this fall my youngest will be starting university and I will officially be an empty nester. This is not to say BtO will cease to be or that I plan on slowing down.  If you are in in fact looking for materials – please do check out our 2026-2027 guide to see what is coming up for the year. And keep checking back to our Crossroads page.

You can also check out our “Difficult Conversations” collection, which make great retreats.

As I enter this new chapter of my life, however, it is my hope to inspire a new generation of parents to get involved with Youth Ministry in the Orthodox Church. In fact, it has always been my belief that parents are the most important, and often most neglected, part of the equation of the growth of a child’s spiritual identity in the Church.

If you are a parent, I am sure you do not disagree that your role in your child’s spiritual development is critical. Data shows those parents who are churchgoers and take an active role in their child’s spiritual development, tend to have a good relationship with their kids, open communication, and ultimately have kids who stay faithful as adults. See, e.g., Fr. Joseph Purpura, “Moral and Ethical Issues,” at 48.

Youth Ministry, therefore, ought not neglect this important partnership. See, Fields, Purpose Driven Youth Ministry at 251 (“Youth Ministry that excludes parents is about as effective as a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage.”).

To that end, this school year, BtO aims to have more parent resources included in the curricula units.  The idea is not to just spiritually feed the youth, but to equip parents to reinforce the concepts at home.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.

The familial system is responsible for forming beliefs, values, and actions. The Church / Sunday school supports this family one day a week (if we’re lucky) – let’s give more attention to those who equip the kids the rest of the time: the parents.  It’s not an easy job, but it is one I know we all do with love.

We will emphasize when/what parent resources are provided for the applicable units.

If writing curricula is a passion / gift of yours, please reach out to us, we are always looking for more contributors. Or if you want to recommend someone (to include clergy) as a good
contributor, please contact us.

(NOTE: BtO will be out of country for the next couple of weeks serving with our brothers and sisters overseas, so please be patient with our response).

SEPTEMBER:   We live in a blessed age where we can keep in contact with loved ones in different states and different countries with a touch of a button; mail no longer requires postage stamps; and virtually everyone is accessible any time, anywhere. Unfortunately, our never-ending access to technology and social media is a blessing and a curse – this month is devoted to taking control of our social media usage before it controls us. Check out the September Unit HERE

NOVEMBER: A shepherd boy was an unlikely king… but that is exactly who he became. David had plenty of missteps in his life too, but he faced his sins and failures with a repentant heart. No wonder he is described as a man after God’s own heart. This month is devoted to studying King David's life through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel (and studying his heart in the Psalms he wrote).   Check out the November Unit HERE