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It’s 8:50 on Thursday morning.  The sun is sending warm beams of light through the trees that line your drive to the church.  The day is looking wonderful, not just because of the weather, or even the Starbucks in the cup holder of your car, but because you’ve enjoyed the summer season of youth ministry: camp, swimming, summer Bible study groups, the energy your students seem to have on their break from school.

Parents and churches together can help their teenagers decide to stay in church as young adults, new research from LifeWay Christian Resources indicates.

Despite appearances, teens do want guidance when it comes to the decisions they face in everyday life, and parents and churches who meet those needs make it more likely those teens will stay in church as young adults, according to a survey of more than 1,000 adults ages 18-30. LifeWay Research conducted the survey in April and May 2007.

After sitting on my experience (see www.twoweeksback.com) for over a year and reflecting on this “Back to School” season, here are a few suggestions I would like to offer to parents if they want to have a better relationship with their kids.