Navigating Church with Teens

I’ll be honest: when I first became a parent, I imagined attending church with my kids as a peaceful, uplifting experience. But church can feel like a battle of the wills. I wanted them not to just come but want to.

As parents of teens, we’re often caught between respecting their growing independence and guiding them toward their faith. It’s tough. Here are some tips for making church a place where both you and your teens can grow spiritually, together.

Acknowledge Their Growing Independence
One of the hardest things about parenting teens is learning how to let go, even just a little. They want to make their own decisions, including whether to attend church. And while it’s tempting to guilt-trip them into coming with us (I’ve been there!), I’ve learned that respecting their independence goes a long way in maintaining a healthy relationship.

Instead of forcing it, I’ve found that fostering an open dialogue about faith and church has been much more effective. Talk to your teens about why you go to church. Share what it means to you, not as a “should,” but as a meaningful part of your life. Teens are more likely to attend when they see their parents are genuinely engaged, rather than when they feel it’s just another rule to follow.

Let Them Get Involved
Let’s be real: teens don’t always want to sit through a service with their parents. But they might be more willing if they can get involved in a way that speaks to them. At Crossroads, there is Crossroads Youth, the worship band, and other youth events throughout the calendar year for them to join.

Create Family Rituals
One of the most powerful things we can do as parents is to weave faith into our daily lives and lead by example. I’ve found that simple, consistent moments of connection can make all the difference.

Maybe it's praying together before a family meal, reading a Bible verse during breakfast, or even talking about your faith during car rides. I try to make sure that a relationship with Jesus isn’t confined to Sunday mornings but is an ongoing conversation throughout the week. These small, everyday rituals show my teen that faith impacts the way we live.

Find Your Own Spiritual Support                                                                          Raising teens in today’s world is tough, and it’s easy to feel like you’re walking a lonely road. I’ve learned that having my own spiritual support system is essential for my own growth as a parent. At Crossroads, we have several meet-up events and community groups! This is a great way to build connection and find common ground with other members of our community.

In Conclusion: A Journey, Not a Destination
Parenting teens is not always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. At times, it may feel like your teen is drifting away from faith, but it’s important to remember that faith is a journey—not a destination. They may not always want to be at church, and they may question everything along the way, but by showing them love, respect, and understanding, we create an environment where they can safely explore and grow.

Through it all, my greatest hope is that my teen sees that faith is not just about rules—it’s about relationship. And even when they don’t have all the answers, I want them to know that they’re never alone on this journey. The same God who loves me, loves them too. And He’s with us, every step of the way.