7 Tips to Strengthen Awana Families This Fall

Here at Awana we get a lot of inquiries about how children’s ministries can serve families better. It’s great to hear that children love being part of our program, but really it’s the relationships they have at home and church that makes the biggest lifelong discipleship impact. God wants your ministry to thrive and He alone can make that happen. And, you have an opportunity to build into every Awana family that the Lord sends your way if you’re up for the challenge. In addition to praying for the families God sends your way, here are 7 tips to strengthen families this fall.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

#1 Start with a Parent’s Meeting

Get families on board from the beginning. Kick-off the ministry season with a mandatory parent’s meeting. Hold it multiple times – at least once before club and once after to get the most people to attend. Let moms, dads, stepparents, grandparents, and caregivers know how important their role is in the lives of children. Encourage them to be intentional and consistent about regular attendance, working through the handbook, bringing neighborhood friends, and praying for their child. Introduce them to the leaders who volunteer time to serve; more than helping hands, they are “discipleship mentors” in kids’ lives. Parents benefit from hearing what they can expect (and what’s expected of families) in the months ahead – and they’re much more likely to follow through when the commitments to their child are clear and mutual.

#2 Give Out “Awana Family Road Kits”

Families are pulled in a lot of directions in any given week. They want to prioritize Awana, so find a way to help them make the most of their time. Create an “Awana Family Road Kit” they can keep in the car. Pull a few brilliant minds together. What could you put in your version of an “Awana Family Road Kit” to remind them of your ministry every time they drive from here to there? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Fill up an Awana Tote Bag or slap an Awana bumper sticker on a birthday gift bag.
• Add an Awana Parent Welcome Booklet (available in English and Spanish)
• Put in an Awana window decal for their vehicle
• Include your club year calendar of upcoming Awana theme nights and events
• Provide markers and a notepad for “on the road” verse memory work
• Give them a worship music CD as a gift to encourage to families
• Top it off with Awana invitation cards to help families spread the word about club

#3 Commit to Quarterly Events

You don’t have to stop with just one parent’s meeting to launch the season. Get families into a rhythm of connecting with you, your leaders, and each other throughout the year. Pull them together for a feedback session (with coffee and treats, of course!) to hear how Awana is going great and what can be improved upon. Host a “Taste of Awana” night so that current families can see what club is all about – and challenge them to bring new kids and parents to check it out too. In addition to special game nights and Grand Prix, show a family-friendly movie or go mini-golfing. Or, host a class during club on how to successfully help your own kids with their handbooks. Be intentional to find ways to get new volunteers involved in coming up with, and pulling off, what would serve families well.

#4 Host a Family Meal

If your club meets during the week, or even on the weekend, it can be frazzling for families to get kids ready to go and fed on time. Consider doing a family meal before or after club depending on when you meet. It’s one less thing for parents and leaders to think about. Yes, it’s a financial commitment by your church or club, but it serves a very real need and builds genuine community. It’s a great picture of the church in Acts 2 being lived out in your setting. Keep it simple – pizza, hot dogs, or sandwiches will do. Maybe there’s a group of grandparents in your church, or even the grandparents of kids in club, who love to cook and would be willing to serve in this way. Offering a family meal creates an opportunity to bring friends and introduce new families to Awana as well.

#5 Take Awana to the Park

Did you know that Awana happens every week all around the world? It’s in at least 115 countries, many of which host Awana outdoors. Check out this video of a huge club in Rwanda that meets on a hillside! You could find a way to do an Awana meet-up in a local park so kids and families experience what it’s like to do club outside. This could be a big draw for kids, parents, and leaders, as well as churches in your area, to experience the ministry of Awana in a fresh way. If you’re not up for taking club to the streets, just invite families to gather for a big picnic where everyone brings their own food. Play lawn games and hang out. It’s a wonderful way to connect and build relationships.

#6 Ask Parents to Serve as Listeners

Some parents have no plans between drop-off and pick-up time for club. They might miss getting an errand done, but they could also be encouraged by you asking them to stick around to hear kids recite God’s Word. It’s inspiring to see a child’s eyes widen as they complete a personal goal. Their mind and heart get engaged when someone who cares about them invests time and shows interest. There are parents who definitely need a break, and club gives them a much-needed chance to get some space. On the other hand, there are many parents, teenage siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles who would love being asked to serve in a small but valuable way.

#7 Celebrate Every New Family

Families are a dime a dozen, but every child and family matters way more than a fraction of a penny! When a new kid or family attends or registers for club, commit to celebrating them in some way. Maybe you could do an ice cream social after Awana once a month with just the children and parents/care givers of new participants (and the friends who brought them). Or, send a gift in the mail to the homes of new Awana families. If parents are up for it, maybe they’d be interested in letting their story of “Why We Decided to Become an Awana Family” in an email newsletter to the leaders and other families at club. Go the extra mile and make sure to recognize every new family – all year long – in some meaningful way. It will speak volumes to the children and those who bring them to your Awana ministry.

Discussion Starters for You & Your Team:

• How do we currently strengthen Awana families in our ministry?
• What have we tried that worked well and why did it succeed?
• Which of the 7 tips can we begin implementing this fall and how?