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One-to-one: Teenage ministry with Carl Laferton

 
Carl Laferton | 12 Feb 2011

Carl Laferton pastored sunday@seven, an evening congregation for teenagers and young adults in west Hull.

For a short introduction to what one-to-oneing is, just click here.

2 Comments

David

9:09 PM AEST on July 17th
Hi I was wondering how exactly this works with teenagers practically from a Child protection point of view i've always wanted to one on one started but didn't know the wisest way to do so and not compromise child protection

Carl Laferton

9:27 PM AEST on July 17th
Great question David. A few quick things:
1. Ask the parents before you ask the teenager, whether they'd mind you asking them. Explain what you'll be doing - getting to know them better, and reading the Bible together.
2. Don't put the teenager under any pressure - let them say 'no' without them feeling they've done anything wrong.
3. Meet somewhere where there are other people, but where you won't be overheard. A good place is in their home, in a room on your own but with the door open - or in a church room, again with the door open and someone around nearby.
4. Do it for a time-limited period (eg: a term, or six months). This helps ensure unhealthy links don't build, and sets expectations, and prevents rumours (or a simple feeling among the rest of the group that a particular individual is 'elite' or 'special')
5. Encourage church parents to be doing their own 1-2-1s with people!
Hope that's helpful?
Carl

Carl Laferton

Carl is Editorial Director at The Good Book Company and is a member of Grace Church Worcester Park, London. He is the best-selling author of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross and God's Big Promises Bible Storybook, and also serves as series editor of the God's Word for You series. Before joining TGBC, he worked as a journalist and then as a teacher, and pastored a congregation in Hull. Carl is married to Lizzie, and they have two children. He studied history at Oxford University.