Question for the group
Hey there all. This is Kari, who created an account to check out the blog and then forgot all about it until I stumbled across it again. Oops. And I see no one has updated since May, so I hope a few people are still checking periodically.
Anyway, lately I've been having parent complaints about lack of communication, which, being me, I took to heart. Then I really thought about it and realized that we send letters, post announcements in bulletins, announce in church, at youth events, and then make follow-up phone calls or leave messages. In short, I'm just not sure what more I can do. My question is; is it common to have people not notice the notices and then complain? And how do you handle it?
posted by badgergirl at 8:30 AM
6 Comments:
Kari,
I think people expect us to do everything for them. So we should show up at their door to pick their children up for youth events, make sure we feed them and help them with their homework... and then bring them home. I don't know if there is anything more you can do. Eventually parents and students need to realize that they need to be responsible for keeping track of their own schedule. You do way more than I do to remind my kids and parents. I just keep sending reminders, emails, and chatting with them at church.
I hope all is well with you. Hope to see you and talk to you soon. How are things going on the prayer list? I've been lifting you up.
Tara
6:51 AM
We've been battling the same thing. I've been seriously considering smoke signals or honing pigeons as my next move.
But, I guess I came to the conclusion that I can only do so much and the rest- well, for instance they can remember every ball practice and vocal rehearsel but why not any of our dates or etc? It's somewhat about priorities and hoping they come to see church as one.
How is everything with everyone?
~Erica
1:04 PM
I love babysitting. Okay, not really. In my world stuff is published three times. Once in detail in the newsletter (which nobody reads) but in lesser detail it lists all the events for the next 6 months - The next attempt is in the bulletin (which you have to come to church to read) two weeks in advance. The last attempt is a mass email (which 1, you have to have the right email address and 2. they can't list you as spam). And after all that, nobody but the littel old lady in the congregation will realize that thier was a youth event.
In short, church is but another thing to cluter thier children's lifes. And as soon and I figure out how to change that mind set (I'm thinking the 'Men in Black'light thing), I will market it and make lots of money and pay off your youth parents to come to your events.
Andrea
1:20 PM
Kari:
Until the day when all of our members have a microchip implant with wireless remote downloading capabilities (and no "off" switch), we will forever have the problem of "tune-out," because we live in a communication-saturated age. People are numb! They can't take in any more, so they space it out. The solution, I think, is that THEY will become proactive by listening (or reading), then writing down that message in a planner (or PDA) or fridge calendar, and then ACT on it.
- Jim Haack
2:21 PM
I think that wireless microchips with downloading capabilities implanted in all members may one day solve the problem, unless they come with an "off" switch.
99% of the problem, friends, is NOT wih US. Church programs and events are less than an afterthought amidst all the "clutter" of communication everyone receives each day.
This is no big problem, however, in the 3rd world countries that I've been to. A beater car with a crackly loud speaker cruising dirt streets can generate thousands for a crusade. Why? No competition!
Missionfield USA has its unique obstacles to the Gospel, and I don't see them going away any time soon, apart from another 9-11 or other apocalyptic, attention-getting disaster.
--Jim Haack
2:28 PM
Thanks for all your comments. It's reassuring and yet sad to know that I am not the only one with this challenge. I have concluded that, for the most part, it is a priority issue and an issue of people just not paying attention when we try to communicate. And I have to try not to take it all on myself personally. And if any of your implant or MIB technology ever works out, I'll be your first buyer.
3:05 PM
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