The Parent Link Newsletter

Allison Park Church
2326 Duncan Ave
Allison Park, PA 15101

January 2008

"When was the last time your family all agreed on where to eat, much less on where and what time everyone should attend church?"

Attending church on Sunday mornings can be one of the most satisfying and exciting days for a family. It can also be one of the most frustrating and draining days for parents who have a difficult time getting their teen to go. If your family finds itself in the second category please understand you are NOT alone. When was the last time your family all agreed on where to eat, much less on where and what time everyone should attend church? To better understand the true significance of attending church you must begin with the basic question: "Is attending church important?" The answer is an emphatic YES! God set up the church for worship and for community for God's family. Read Acts 2:42-47 and see the "Church" in action. When we miss out on that, we miss out on a very important part of God's plan. Agreeing on that point, where does a family go from here? If your teen does not like going to church, begin by asking them "Why?" When asking this question you must then be willing to listen. Don't comment after every sentence or roll your eyes after a reason is given that seems ridiculous. Ask God to give you patience as you listen intently to their objections, frustrations, and concerns. After your teen is finished begin talking about the reasons they gave and actively address their concerns. For example, one of their reasons could be they don't feel a part of the group. Some suggestions you might give could be to allow them to bring a friend. You can also find an adult volunteer in the Student Ministry and ask what they have observed. Parents must be proactive in helping their teen to connect with a church family. You can force your teen and your family to attend church, but talking, listening, and problem solving allows your teen to no longer be the "problem" but to be a part of the solution instead.

WINTER RETREAT 2008

Our annual Winter Retreat for 6th - 12th graders is taking place Feb. 29th - March 2nd in Erie, PA @ Erie Family First Sports Park. The theme this year is "The Boiling Point." This is one of the most spiritually impacting and life-changing events that we do all year long. If you have a middle school or high school age student, make sure they attend! The cost of the retreat is $110 (pick up a brochure for more details). $40 deposits and registrations are due Wed., Feb. 13th. To help off-set the cost of the retreat, we are offering fundraising candy bars for students to sell (please do not sell them at APC, however). You can pick up boxes in the concourse at APC on Sunday mornings or at the 2Twenty building on Wednesday and Friday nights.

What expectations do teens have about attending church?

45% Worship or make a connection with God.
42% Better understand what I believe
34% Spend time with friends
34% Get encouraged or inspired
30% Volunteer to help others.

What do teens learn from their experiences in church? (top four answers)

65% Moral and ethical standards
62% Relationships
55% Faith traditions
50% Personal evangelism
(barna.org)

The simple fact is the Church is very important to the life of anyone who follows Christ. The question is does your teen truly believe that? Here are some questions to find out what your teen believes about going to church and if he/she truly enjoys their experience.

1. Why do you think God gave us the Church and made such a big deal about it? Do you think it is important to go to church on a regular basis? Why or why not?

2. What are the top three things you like about going to church? What are some of things you don't really like about going to church?

3. In the past few weeks, tell me one or two things that you have learned at church.

4. Why do you think some of your friends at school don't attend church? What could our church and our student ministry do to get them to visit our church?

Pray that:

1. Your teen will be open to listening to God's voice in giving direction in their life.

2. God will clearly reveal to your teen the priorities He wants for your teen.

3. God would put people in your teen's life to influence him/her and encourage him/her to want to be involved in church.

4. God would bring friends or a friend to connect with your teen while at church.

5. You will model for your teen what it means to be "connected" in the body of Christ.

Pastor Cullen's Blog!

Be sure to check out Cullen's blog at www.cullenallen.com on a regular basis to get the inside scoop on what's happening in the youth ministry. Go there frequently - go there often!

Did you know...

* According to a Barna Research Group study, adults who attended church regularly as children are nearly three times as likely to be attending a church today as their peers who avoided church during childhood (61% to 22%, respectively). (barna.org)

* About one-half of all Protestant teens attend church weekly, participate in Sunday school or in a religious youth group, pray, and attend a religious summer camp or retreat, though less than one-third read the Bible each week. (youthandreligion.org)

* Twelve percent of protestant teens who attend religious services more than a few times a year say that church is usually boring. (youthandreligion.org)

This page is designed to inform and educate parents and is not meant to endorse any product, music, or movie.
Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your student listens to, wears, and sees!

The 18 year old, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard, is “both wise and talented beyond her years”. Kiki was born and raised in Detroit in a solid and Godly home. Her grandmother is credited as one of the defining influences in the history of Gospel music. Her father is a minister, and her mother is a founding member of Gospel legends, the Clark Sisters. She began singing at church at the age of six. She made her recording debut and landed her first Stellar-award at the age of nine as she sang a duet with her mother. Much to her surprise, her debut album went international leading to a gold album in Japan. Her second album, "This Is Me" is expected to do well. kierrakikisheard.com

musicspotlight

Albums:
"Just Like You" - 2007
"The Way It Is" - 2005

Background:
This 21 year old “urban songstress”, Keyshia Cole, was raised in a “tough neighborhood” in Oakland. From an early age, she aspired to make music her life. By the age of 12, she was already recording with top artists of the day such as MC Hammer. Her career took off in the early 2000’s as she collaborated with numerous artists including Kanye West and one of her biggest inspirations, Eve. Her debut album, “The Way It Is”, released in 2005 under the A&M/Interscope label. Unlike some of her musical peers, Keyshia has a “street edge” which has influenced many of her songs “which are generally a bit rougher and less naïve than those of your typical young female urban vocalist.” Her debut album sold a million copies in the US. (Billboard.com)

What Parent's Should Know: Her first album contains a Parental Advisory. Her latest album is mostly about relationships, being true to your own self in them, and breaking up with a cheating boyfriend. The album also contains some foul language.

What Keyshia has to say: "There are a lot of trials and tribulations you have to go through to get what you want, especially if you feel like it belongs to you." Q: What types of trials have you gone through to get what you want? What if anything do you feel "entitled" to?

filmwatch

Do you know what movies are out there to start off the new year?


TITLE	RATING	RED FLAGS	GENRE	STARRING

Mad Money	PG-13	For sexual material and language, and brief drug reference	Comedy	Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Katie Holmes, Ted Danson

How She Move	PG-13	For some drug content, suggestive material, and language	Drama/dance	Tre Armstrong, Cle Bennett, David Carmon, Keyshia Cole

Be Kind Rewind	PG-13	For some sexual references	Comedy	Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow, Melonie Diaz

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
		1	2 Sr High 2Twenty, 7pm - 2Twenty Building Jr High 2Twenty Small Groups, 7pm - Brletic "Castle" (2538 Middle Road)	3	4 Jr High 2Twenty Service, 7pm - 2Twenty Building	5
6	7	8	9 Sr High 2Twenty, 7pm - 2Twenty Building Jr High 2Twenty Small Groups, 7pm - Brletic "Castle" (2538 Middle Road)	10	11 Jr High 2Twenty Service, 7pm - 2Twenty Building	12 2Twenty Adult Small Group Leaders Meeting, 6pm in Prayer Chapel - APC
13 Special Services @ APC, 6pm - Prayer & Fasting Week	14 Special Services @ APC, 7pm - Prayer & Fasting Week	15 Special Services @ APC, 6pm - Prayer & Fasting Week	16 Sr High 2Twenty, 7pm - 2Twenty Building Jr High 2Twenty Small Groups, 7pm - Brletic "Castle" (2538 Middle Road)	17	18 Jr High 2Twenty Service, 7pm - 2Twenty Building	19
20	21	22	23 Sr High 2Twenty, 7pm - 2Twenty Building Jr High 2Twenty Small Groups, 7pm - Brletic "Castle" (2538 Middle Road)	24	25 Jr High 2Twenty Service, 7pm - 2Twenty Building	26
27	28	29	30 Sr High 2Twenty, 7pm - 2Twenty Building Jr High 2Twenty Small Groups, 7pm - Brletic "Castle" (2538 Middle Road)	31

ATTENTION PARENTS! We will be providing this monthly newsletter for parents of students in grades 6th through 12th. You can pick these up in the concourse @ APC (Information Central) and also access them through Pastor Cullen's blog, www.cullenallen.com

FEBRUARY 2ND & 3RD. . .during each of our weekend services we are doing a Youth Connect Event in the prayer chapel for students in 6th through 12th grades. We will dismiss students after worship to move up towards the prayer chapel. This is a great time for us "connect" with all the students who attend APC, challenge them spiritually and show them what we have to offer through the 2Twenty Ministry.

FEBRUARY 8TH @ 7pm. . .We're having an event at APC called "Awakening" with special guest speaker Johannes Amritzer! It's for those in 6th grade all the way up to young adults. This event will be FREE and includes: Pizza, Inflatables, Worship Band, PLUS a chance for someone to win $10,000! We have partnered with a special company who has agreed to give away $10,000 as a prize for an individual who successfully completes a challenge on this night! Must be present in order to have a chance to win.

FEBRUARY 10TH @ 1PM. . .Lunch with Johannes Amritzer in the prayer chapel for those interested in more information regarding the MCM School of Ministry beginning in the Fall of 2008. Must be at least a junior in high school or older to attend. Parents of students/young adults are also welcome.