Laura Ortberg Turner, daughter of John and Nancy Ortberg, has some great thoughts on what it means to be (but not really be) known as a “pastor’s kid.” One takeaway is the framework she felt her parents placed her and her siblings into. Turner writes:

“Had we not gotten freedom from our parents to be the people we were—to grow and learn for ourselves and even occasionally embarrass our parents, as good children do (a famed family incident at a church in Southern California that involves my then-5-year-old brother lying on his back, thrusting his pelvis to a children’s worship song called ‘Jumping Bean,’ comes to mind)—we would likely have ended up feeling like our only two possibilities in life were becoming the mantle-bearer or the rebel.”

I’ve spent a lot of energy making sure people know the first names of my family members aren’t “The Pastor’s Wife” or “The Pastor’s Kids.” So much of that can be overturned by a well-meaning youth leader who isn’t conscious about unconscious behavior.

Consider how we help or hinder this in youth group circles:

• Do you unconsciously think it means more if a senior or staff pastor’s kids do or don’t attend the youth group?
• When a “PK” acts up, are you quick to share about it with volunteers, in staff meetings or at home?
• Are you eyeballing such students for the moment when they either declare their own calling to ministry or rebel like a pop star?
• How often do you make sure we mention them as the “pastor’s kid” to new youth workers who jump in?

The list of negatives can go on, so let’s brainstorm some positives:

• Let them be known for who they are versus who their parents are.
• Allow them the chance to share their own stories and journey versus assuming things from illustrations shared from the pulpit.
• Try not to put them in positions where they’re a secretary for your or one of their parents (i.e. “Can you pass this key along to your dad?”).
• Give them a safe ear to share their questions (or even disinterest) in spiritual things, even if it means moving your schedule around to meet with them in private.

(Maybe we should apply each of these to every other kid in the youth group too.)

Got any more tips? Share yours below.

Tony Myles is a youth ministry veteran, author, speaker, volunteer youth worker and the lead pastor of Connection Church in Medina, Ohio ... and he really likes smoothies.

For the original article, visit morethandodgeball.com.

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