Fear Thee Not: A Few Thoughts About the Transition Into G2 & GC

By Pastor Damon | Posted June 9, 2009

Every year in June, half of G2 disappears. Not literally … I hope. No, this time each year, our beloved 6th graders graduate into Generation Church. The same is true in City Kids as the 4th graders move up to G2. As great a season as this is, it is hard for some parents to watch their babies leave the comfort and security they’ve known in 1st-4th grade and G2. So let’s head anxiety off at the pass and take some of the “unknown” out of your child’s transition this summer.

Generation Church — “Big made Small”

At first glance, GC could appear to the concerned eye of a parent whose 6th grader is moving into 7th grade to be a massive sea of college students with gigantism sporting facial hair and Masters Degrees. It is true: GC is big in number. But this is also true: God wants it to get bigger. While GC is big, it is structured in such a way that favors your Jr. Higher and pastors them on a personal level. How do they do that? Your soon to be 7th grader will be a part of a tight knit small group called a Cadre which will be filled with their friends and a world-class cadre leader your child will idolize and love. The Jr. High class meets together Sunday mornings at each campus. During this service, your 7th grader will enjoy worship, games, poignant teaching and most importantly, time to meet with their cadre. The Wednesday night GC services at Kirkland and Alderwood bring together Jr. High through College in a dynamic prophetic atmosphere in which your 7th grader will experience the presence of God on a new level. “But who will my child sit with on Wednesday nights?” you may ask. Every Wednesday night your 7th grader will sit front and center with their entire cadre in a section reserved exclusively for them. In GC, the Jr. Highers get the best! Even though GC is big in number the preference given to the Jr. Highers, your 7th grader’s tight knit cadre, and strong friendships enable it to meet the needs of each child on a individual level. Big made small. Your child blossomed in G2 and they will flourish in GC! If you have any specific questions about your child moving up to Jr. High, please send them to Spencer Kraker, the GC Jr. High Director at spencer.kraker@thecity.org. He will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

G2: “OWN IT. LIVE IT.”

Dads and Moms, if you have a 4th grader taking the step into G2 this summer I want to say, “AWESOME!” As the G2 Pastor I can’t wait for your amazing son or daughter to join our family. As leaders in G2 we take great care to create and guard a safe atmosphere. When a child feels safe emotionally, their soul opens up and their spirit is able to receive from God. In G2 our mission statement reflects our desire for your new 5th grader to taste God’s goodness for themselves. “G2 is a generation of 5th and 6th graders OWNING and LIVING life’s two great commandments: love God and love people.” Our motto in G2 is: OWN IT. (Love God) & LIVE IT. (Love people). I am convinced the ages between 10 to 12 years is a unique season unlike any other during a person’s life. During this time your child’s identity will begin to solidify, their independence will begin to grow and they will choose what we believe. How incredible is it to have a place to go during this monumental season that is safe, fun, and full of God’s presence? The G2 leaders are hand-picked and world-class. I am so excited for your incredible 5th grader to join the G2 family! If you have any questions about your child’s movie into G2 please email me at damon.strom@thecity.org or call me directly at 425.739.1225.

If your child is nervous about the transition the most powerful way to bring God’s perspective is to tell them how incredible it will be. Even if you are a wee-bit nervous yourself, the way you speak about it will either feed fear or build faith. The Bible promises that God only takes us from glory to glory and the same is true for your family in this new season of life!

Key Transition Dates:

6th Graders & Their Parents:
BBQ for Upcoming 7th Graders
Info: Come with your 6th grader to the Jr. High Move Up BBQ and meet your child’s new Jr. High Cadre leader, the Jr. High Directors, GC Pastor Elijah Waters! There will be great food, games and the G2 leaders will there as well!

Date: Saturday, June 20th
Time: 2:00 - 3:30pm
Location: Pastor Rick & Jennifer’s House
Address: 9106 133rd CT. NE, Redmond, WA 98052-6435

Transition Sunday for the Upcoming 7th Graders
Info: This will be your child’s first service in GC!
Date: Sunday, June 21st
Location: Every Campus

4th Graders & Their Parents:
Info: Come join us and watch your 4th grader become a G2er! On Wednesday night, June 17th your 4th grader will take the “Walk of Fame” in City Kids and then be welcomed into G2 for the first time!
4th Grade Walk of Fame & Graduation into G2
Date: Wednesday, June 17th
Time: At the end of the service
Location: Kirkland Campus

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Economic Adventures for the Whole Family

By Pastor Ryan | Posted March 20, 2009

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was written by guest author and Care Pastor, Tony Butts. Enjoy!]

I am a dad who loves to do things with my family. There is nothing better than having a great afternoon with my kids that ends with a giant hug and “you are the best dad in the world” statement. Yeah, that feels nice. But with finances tight it seems like every month it gets harder and harder to go places that I know will set back my budget. So, that puts me on the lookout all of the time for inexpensive ways to have fun with my kids.

While on my way to work the other day I ran across a magazine (free) called “Parent Map” -I think I have fallen in love. The March 2009 edition has slapped on the cover “Huge Family Recession Guide.” I thought why not check it out. I am so glad I did. There were places to go in there, websites to check out, and special coupons just for parents to take their kids on inexpensive adventures.

Right away the first thing I noticed was advertisements with coupons for the family. Things like $1 off per person at the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, $3 off tickets to the EMP/Science Fiction Museum, organic restaurants with kids-eat-free nights. It had my attention. Then in the center I found a calendar filled with fun activities for the whole family for every day of the month; everything from special activities at your local library to ways to get discounted tickets to Broadway Musicals. Here are some of the great things that I noticed that may be of interest to you:

HOUSEHOLD NEEDS: Did you know you can take your kids to the Gene Juarez Academies in Seattle or Federal Way and get professional haircuts for $13 (or get yours done for $18)? What about clothing? Check out Saturday’s Child in Bothell or Plato’s Closet for some great deals on last season’s clothes -very in style for all age groups. Need books? Besides checking out your local libraries book sales make sure you visit Half Price Books in Bellevue. Need a break? Check your kids into the YMCA in Bothell and for $30 per child kids can swim, play gym games, arts and crafts and have dinner while you enjoy time with your spouse.

Want to eat economically. Check out these websites. Go to www.rubyslipperguide.com and click on “specialty guide” and it lists all of the places where your kids can eat for free and what nights they do it. Amazing! Or go to www.valpak.com and print off some incredible coupons to local restaurants.

Here are some other bonuses you need to check out:

Remember that kids really don’t care how much it costs, they just want quality time with their parents. If you can build memories and invest in your children while staying within your budget it is a win for everyone. Love your kids and spend some time with them. You can find even more stuff if you go online to www.parentmap.com.

—Tony Butts

[Please note that all of this information was taken from “Parent Map” March 2009 Vol. 7 no. 3]

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Why God Made Parents

By Pastor Ryan | Posted February 25, 2009

What came first the chicken or the egg? Well, I may not know the answer to that question but I do know that Parents come first in my book!!! A child may think life would be better off without their parents, and In some cases that could be the case, but God created parents with such an amazing purpose to raise their children to become world changers and history makers.

As a children’s pastor I find it so sad when parents don’t understand their significant role in their child’s life. A child is like water that can be poured out. It can be poured out into the street where there are no walls or boundaries rendering it on the fun scale small, or that same amount of water is poured into a pool, which has walls and boundaries creating a fun and safe place for total blow out of fun scale. YA FOR PARENTS!!!

As Christian parents, one of the greatest gifts God gives to us is our children. When a child is born their spirit is like a lump of clay or wet cement. God places the responsibility for molding the clay and imprinting the concrete squarely in the parent’s hands. There is no magic formula or wand to make your child want to obey and live a righteous life. However God states in Proverbs 22:6 and in Deuteronomy 11:19 that when we as parents train, instruct, mold and imprint according to His Word, our children will flourish and become everything God destined them to be.

Molding and shaping a child’s life is not an easy task, but if done God’s way, it will bless the child more than anything else in the world. Regardless of how difficult it may be at the time, the result is worth all the pain. Everyday new situations will arise to challenge your resolve but we must remember whatever He asks us to do, He gives us the grace, power, and perseverance to do it well.

Deuteronomy 11:19 states “you (parent) shall teach (God’s Laws) to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” The City Church is here to support your child’s number one pastor: you. Thankfully, along with the serverity of our responsibility, God wants us to have fun teaching and training our children in His way. Training our kids is not meant to be a once a month conversation at the dinner table. We need to take every opportunity we can throughout each day to impart God’s truth. As you go through the “normal” routines each day, use these situations and activities to teach practical object lessons for your child.

By weaving God into the fabric of your everyday life you will solidify Christ’s love in your child’s spirit. (Proverbs 22:6). As the years go by, trust God to give you fresh, creative and fun ways to teach His truths to each child. Great truths will be imparted as you spend time laughing, crying, working and praying together. Using everyday life to teach God’s truth is the method by which life’s tender and memorable moments will be made (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

Scriptures on Parenting

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5 (NKJV)
2 When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. Psalm 128:2-4 (NKJV)
8 My child,[a] listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. 10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! Proverbs 1:8-10
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. 2 Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. Proverbs 5:1-3 (NLT)
20 Sensible children bring joy to their father; Proverbs 15:20 (NLT)
23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. 24 The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.[a] 25 So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy. Proverbs 23:23-25 (NLT)
4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 3 John 1:4 (NLT)
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