Episode 254: Helping Parents Lighten the Load with Chris Sasser

<div class="smart-track-player-container stp-color-ed702b-ed702b spp-stp-desktop" data-uid="ceb87fc1"></div><div class="spp-shsp-form spp-shsp-form-ceb87fc1"></div> <p>In this episode, Chris Sasser shares insights from his new book and gives some brief but helpful examples for parents to lighten the load for their kids. Chris has been leading within family ministry for just over thirty years and has developed a unique and powerful partnership with parents within his community in Wilmington, NC.</p> <h2>Chris Sasser</h2> <p>Connect with Chris on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chris.sasser.31" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/csasser/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://thebagsbook.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Website</a></p> <h2>Clearstream</h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clearstream works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. Find out more at <a href="https://clearstream.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clearstream.io</a>.</span></p> <h2>Episode Notes</h2> <p>Partnering with parents is absolutely critical — but a WHOLE family ministry — kids, teenagers, AND parents</p> <p>Overarching thoughts about BAGS:</p> <ul> <li>Parents prefer connection over content</li> <li>Lots of resources about “unpacking” baggage, but nothing about “preventing” the packing of bags</li> <li>Kids collect baggage that takes them a lifetime to unpack to be spiritually, emotionally, and relationally healthy &#8211; this is about equipping parents to lighten the load</li> <li>Example: <ul> <li>Relational Bag &#8211; kids develop a sadness around key relationships in their lives (“I love my ____, but”) <ul> <li>Parents <ul> <li>Time and attention</li> <li>Grace</li> <li>Display humility</li> <li>Help them build healthy friendships</li> <li>Avoid comparisons</li> <li>Be emotionally mature</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2>Action Items</h2> <ol> <li><a href="https://thebagsbook.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Get the book&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:513,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0}">Get the book</span></a></li> <li><span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Check out the parent network - try ONE thing&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:513,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0}">Check out the <a href="https://www.pc3parents.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">parent network</a> &#8211; try ONE thing</span></li> <li><span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Host a parent focus group&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:513,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;12&quot;:0}">Host a parent focus group<br /> </span></li> </ol> <p><em><strong>**BONUS: If you plan on attending the Orange Conference, use the discount code BLEVINSPOD to receive 10% off tickets</strong></em></p> <h2>Ministry Boost Coaching is back!</h2> <p><a href="https://ministryboost.org/coaching/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to check out the amazing benefits of coaching groups with Ministry Boost.</a></p> <h2>Multiply Ministry Conference &#8211; All-Access Pass</h2> <p><a href="https://ministryboost.mykajabi.com/offers/iemx5djn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to get the All-Access Pass</a> to get access to the Multiply Ministry Conference replays of every main session and breakout. Over 30 sessions of content about empowering volunteers.</p> <h2>Get Exclusive Content from this Week's Episode</h2> <p>Use the form below to subscribe to my email list where you’ll get an email each Tuesday when a new podcast comes out. That email will also include something exclusive related to the podcast that’s not found in the post or in the episode.<br /> <script src="https://f.convertkit.com/098382916a/cc3bebb0b6.js" async="" data-uid="098382916a"></script></p> <h2>Subscribe | Share | Rate | Comment</h2> <p>To make sure you never miss a post, hit the subscribe button in <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/nick-blevins-family-ministry/id1114357026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/music/m/I5jepv5xvtrr4g5ehddm4usvy2y?t=Nick_Blevins_Family_Ministry_Podcast_Children__Youth__Students__NextGen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Play</a>, <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=90266&refid=stpr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stitcher</a>, or <a href="http://tunein.com/radio/Nick-Blevins-Family-Ministry-Podcast-p877774/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tune In</a> radio. Keep your friends and co-workers up-to-date as well by sharing it with them via email or social media.</p> <h2>Special Sponsor: Clearstream</h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This episode is sponsored by Clearstream. <a href="https://clearstream.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clearstream.io</a> works with thousands of churches worldwide and integrates with tools your church already uses such as MailChimp, Church Community Builder, Rock RMS, Planning Center, and more. You can get started on a free-trial, and if you're with a new church plant under 1 year old can use Clearstream free for 12 months.</span></p>