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Parenting as a Church Leader

A short course equipping church leaders to help their children flourish — emotionally, spiritually and within the unique rhythms of ministry

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About this course

Being a church leader affects every part of life — including family life. Many leaders worry about how ministry pressures, expectations and the constant pull of church responsibilities might impact their children’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing. But it is possible for your family not just to survive, but to thrive.

The Parenting as a Church Leader course equips you with simple, practical tools to help your children feel connected, prioritised, covered and empowered as they journey with you in ministry. Across four sessions — each split into short, accessible videos — Rachel Turner teaches how to:

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  • Build deep connection with your children, even when ministry is full and busy
  • Help them feel prioritised and secure in your love
  • Cover and protect them from congregational scrutiny and unspoken expectations
  • Empower them to meet and know God for themselves and build relationships within the church

Whether you’re a minister, church leader, volunteer, trainee or part of a leadership household, this course offers honest wisdom, biblical grounding and practical strategies to help your family flourish.

Who This Course Is For

Church leaders, ministers, leadership couples, children’s/youth/family pastors, trainees, key volunteers and anyone raising children while serving in church leadership.

If you're running this course with a group then please let us know so we can be praying for you and offer any support you may need.

Using these resources

Work through four sessions and 13 parts at your own pace. Each resource contains the handbook notes for its video and the relevant discussion questions. The shared questions for Session 3, Parts 3 and 4 appear after Part 4. You can reflect on your own or discuss the questions with others.

Source credit

The Parenting for Faith® name and logo are registered trade marks of Bible Reading Fellowship, a charity (233280) and company limited by guarantee (301324), registered in England and Wales. The material is copyright © Bible Reading Fellowship 2022. Used and reprinted with permission.

Course resources

Choose a section or resource below to get started.

01Connected3 resources
01The Importance of ConnectionDiscover why strong parent–child connection is essential for church leader families, and how it becomes the foundation for helping children thrive in ministry life.02How to Build ConnectionPractical tools to build and maintain connection with your children—at home, at church, and even in the busiest ministry moments.03Coaching Children Through the Complexity of ChurchLearn two key Parenting for Faith tools to help your children navigate church life, conflict, expectations and the “goldfish bowl” of ministry.
02Prioritised3 resources
01Removing the Competition of NeedsHelp your children feel valued and secure by removing the sense that they must compete with church for your time and attention.02Tuning In: Making Your Presence CountLearn how to help your children feel prioritised through attention, presence and predictable rhythms — even with an unpredictable schedule.03Working From HomePractical ways to create healthy boundaries at home so children feel secure, connected and prioritised — even when you’re behind a closed door.
03Covered4 resources
01Protecting Children From ExposureLearn how to protect your children from the “spotlight” that ministry life can place on them and help them feel safe, unseen, and free to be themselves.02Dealing With Congregational ExpectationsUnderstand and navigate the unspoken expectations congregations place on ministry families, and learn how to shape a healthy family culture within church life.03Navigating ConfidentialityHelp your children navigate the confidential information they may overhear in ministry life and protect their relationships within the church community.04Freeing Children to Build Close RelationshipsEquip your children to build safe, life-giving friendships within the church community without the pressure of being “the vicar’s kid.”
04Empowered3 resources
01Helping Children Meet and Know God in Everyday LifeDiscover simple ways to help your children meet and know God through everyday life, not just church activities.02Coaching Children to Engage With ChurchLearn how to disciple your children in the deeper values of church and help them find their next steps in engaging with it.03Building Children Into the Body of ChristExplore how to help your children find their place, purpose and contribution within the body of Christ.

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