10 Tidbits of Advice Related to Raising Pastor's Kids by Tiffany Cooper

10 tidbits of advice gathered over the years related to raising kids in the ministry (By Tiffany Cooper) via Leading and Loving It.

1. Allow your children to do things other kids aren’t allowed to do, it’s a perk as a PK. Examples: Let them run around the church, play with the toys or play the drums when no one else is there. Let them enjoy special privileges.
2. Accentuate the positives of ministry; the positive should overshadow the negative. Guard your attitudes and words.
3. Celebrate events and holidays on days when we are “ministering/working”. Don’t forgo the fun!
4. Don’t force your kids to do something just because people expect it... You know your kids, they don’t.
5. Be Authentic. Your kids will know if you’re one person at church and one person at home. Whenever I have the chance, I quiz PK women. One question is, “Why do you love God and live for God today?” Over and over again they say it’s because their parents were the same person at home and church, they were the real deal.
6. Offer your kids the same grace you offer to others (Kay Warren).
7. Your kids need to know that they are the priority before the ministry. Be diligent to tell them often and show it always. Ministry is our high calling but our family is our highest calling.
8. Use ministry as a teaching tool. Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church, brings home appropriate ministry topics to discuss with his children. He uses these topics to teach his children about ministry and life.
9. Family Time. Craig Groeschel, pastor of LifeChurch.tv, blogged, I rarely work evenings. The evenings are family time. I also try not to compromise my day off with church needs. My husband and I also protect our evenings and day off. Of course, there are occasional meetings or events that need to be scheduled.
10. Have Fun! Find ways to add fun in your family. Many times it’s the small things throughout the day that make a huge impact.

Your Turn: Do you have a tip or advice to pass on to the rest of us?