Parenting Pathway: Recent Episodes
Stonebriar Community Church
In this episode of the Parenting Pathway Podcast, we are joined by Family Ministries Pastor Dave Carl, High School Ministry Pastor Nathan Kocurek, and special guest Adam Martin, VP of Operations from Kanakuk’s Link Year program, to discuss the value of a gap year for your teen following high school. This growing trend gives time and significance to kids finding their identity, developing their own foundation of faith, and gaining experience in that first season of living outside their parents’ home.When it comes to their future after high school, young people have a dizzying array of choices and options made available to them since the dawn of the information superhighway. However, with so many choices, anxiety levels increase. What if I make the wrong choice? One way to give young people the time and space to understand their unique purpose and identity as they grow into adulthood is to choose a gap year. A gap year is a time set aside between high school and college or career to gain insight, perspective, and experience. Lots of college admissions counselors are supportive of the idea, as they see the benefits for incoming students. Many official gap year programs exist to bring purpose and structure to this experience, such as Kanakuk’s Link Year program.
Our special guest, Adam Martin, helped start Link Year in its inaugural year and served as the VP of Operations for the first three years. In 2014, he left for a short period of time but returned to his position the spring of 2017. He is excited to be back serving with Link Year to disciple and coach students. Adam has a passion for the value of a gap year and is excited share his experience. Learn a few of the basics about gap years below, and listen to this podcast conversation for further insights that may help you and your student decide which path to take.
Notes to Parents from Pastor Nathan:Through the years, I have seen high school graduates go immediately to college or their career and do very well. I have also seen students who return from a gap year absolutely transformed in a way that better prepares them for what’s next. Aubree Bryant, our Middle School Ministry Leader, even married a guy she was with on her gap year (although there are no guarantees of finding true love for all those who go. . . legally, I have to say that.) If you’re not familiar with the gap year concept, you probably have lots of questions. Here are a few that are frequently asked:
What do students do on a gap year?Gap years exist for different reasons. A Christian gap year is usually related to mentoring, personal and spiritual growth, vocational exploration, biblical education, and missional volunteer service.
Is there a disadvantage for college admissions or a risk of losing scholarships?Check with the admissions department of the school where your student wants to go. Many offer a deferred enrollment option for gap year students. Each university or college is different, and scholarship provisions vary. Private Christian schools may even offer class credit for a gap year.
Do all gap years require students to live away from home?Most all gap years include living away from home. One of the main ideas is to develop skills for independent living. Breaks from the gap year program are usually included.
When is the deadline to apply?For most programs, you will need to apply no later than the beginning of your senior year of high school. In some cases, application may be needed even sooner. Check the website for your specific gap year program.
Is one year too long?The length of the gap year is a matter of personal preference and the type of program. Gap year programs that emphasize missions usually require a certain amount of training before going into the field, while others follow a course curriculum lasting for a semester or two.
What is the transition like after returning from a gap year?The struggle is real. Re-entry from an overseas gap year can be especially difficult. Also, adjusting from living in a well-structured daily routine back into almost total flexibility can be challenging. Gap year organizers recognize these difficulties and work the entire year to prepare students for life after gap year. Honestly, it’s the whole reason for going on a gap year in the first place.
How much does it cost?Each gap year program varies in cost depending on travel, study materials, and living expenses. Some gap year students live with host families, while others maintain an apartment, and still others may live in cabins at a Christian camp.
How do I choose a gap year program or find out more information?First, know the reason for going on a gap year. Some are geared more for exploring a vocation, others are more geared towards missional service. Next, do the research. We’ve provided a list of gap year programs our students have participated in or that we know a lot about.
Gap Year Programs:* Link Year * Momentous * Global Year * Summit * World Race * Love Thy Neighborhood * Impact 360
You can read more about gap year experiences here on Parenting Pathway:
Testimony of a Gap Year
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In this episode of the Parenting Pathway Podcast, Family Ministries Pastor Dave Carl and High School Ministry Pastor Nathan Kocurek dig into the topic of inviting our kids into a relationship with God. How do we inspire our kids to love God? It can’t be something we push, demand, or discipline to achieve. This is a heart condition, so how do we encourage our kids to open their hearts to God?
Episode Notes
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46
This parable is about the kingdom of Heaven and its vast value. Sometimes, we Christians make this life with God sound like something that is no fun, not worth the effort, and not something to get excited about. But we should be wildly excited about it! And when our kids see our genuine excitement about our relationship with God, they may begin to want their own relationship with Him.
A few reasons why a relationship with God is so valuable:1. It defines a purpose for your soul and life.To be an apprentice of Jesus is to be more like Him. The question is, with all that I have been given, how am I going to uniquely point to God and draw others to Him?
“Doing the thing that you were uniquely made to do!”
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We get to know the God who spoke all things into existence.There is an innate, deep longing in our souls to know and be known by our Creator. God wants to be involved in your life, and your kids’ lives, personally. Yet it is hard for our kids (and us, as well) to reconcile with that sometimes. Are we worthy? Most of us would say we are not, and that is where Jesus comes in.
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The Holy Spirit lives within us.We have a desire to rescue and protect those we care for. So many of the kids we know disconnect themselves from God’s healing and mercy, yet the Holy Spirit has the power to protect people from self-loathing and self-harming.
The concept of loving Jesus starts now. We don’t have wait until we arrive in Heaven to live a full life in the arms of Jesus.
You can read more about the pursuit of intimacy with God from Pastor Dave here on Parenting Pathway:
The Singular Purpose of Christianity
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In this episode of the Parenting Pathway Podcast, pastors Dave Carl and Nathan Kocurek discuss the challenging nature of forgiveness. Listen as they ask questions and discuss what’s standing in the way of accepting forgiveness from God. As parents, we need to surrender and embrace God’s forgiveness before we can invite our kids to receive it also. Wouldn’t you want to give your kids the gift of a lifelong relationship with a loving and forgiving God?
The post The Thing About Forgiveness first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
In this week’s return to the Parenting Pathway Podcast, Family Ministries Pastor Dave Carl invites Elementary Ministry Leader Barbara Deatherage to share her struggle to overcome a lifelong battle with legalism and redefine what it means to be a follower of Christ.
The post Freedom To Follow Christ first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
In this week’s episode of the Parenting Pathway podcast, Family Ministries Pastor Dave Carl and High School Ministry Associate Pastor Nathan Kocurek discuss a topic many have wrestled with but usually don't want to say out loud for fear of being judged: What is the purpose of Christianity?
The post The Singular Purpose of Christianity first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
In part two of our Parenting Pathway Podcast series on mentoring, Pastors Dave Carl and Steve Fischer talk about what it looks like to be a mentor and a mentee. We at Stonebriar strongly believe that spiritual growth is best achieved through the guidance and encouragement of fellow believers. The intimacy that develops in a mentor/mentee relationship is the best path to promoting spiritual development.
The post The Value of Mentors to Our Kids, Part 2 first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
The more time we spend with kids and their parents, the more we have become convinced that all of our kids are desperate for mentors in their lives. The ability for our kids talk to someone they trust and that you trust, but is not you, is so important and life-giving to them. You can say something to your kids 1,000 times, but it usually takes someone else saying the same thing for them to hear it. Here at Parenting Pathway, we always end each podcast episode with the phrase, "Don't do life and don't do parenting alone." The power of someone beside you, pointing your kids to Christ, is overwhelming. This week on our Parenting Pathway Podcast, Family Ministries Pastor Dave Carl and Care Ministries Pastor Steve Fischer discuss the importance of mentorship in our lives and the lives of our children. Listen to: The Value of a Mentor to Our Kids, Part 1.
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This week on our Parenting Pathway Podcast, Pastors Dave Carl and Nathan Kocurek are stepping into the topic of failure in our kids’ lives. The very nature of children growing is a process of failing and learning from it. Whether they are a toddler learning to walk or a teen learning to drive, each life experience requires the fine tuning of their skills. Failing is a natural part of the learning process, but allowing our kids to fail, and watching them work through the consequences of that failure, is significantly more painful for parents than if we endured the failure ourselves. Listen to today's podcast episode to hear Dave and Nathan unpack why parents are resistant to allowing our kids to fail, why failure is important in kids’ lives, and how to help our kids boldly pursue opportunities and success.
The post Encouraging and Allowing Failure first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
As a parent raising boys in today’s America we struggle with helping them find their way to manhood and be the leaders and spiritual influences that God has called him to be. Dr. Ron Archer—pastor, speaker, and author join Pastors Dave Carl and Nathan Kocurek to talk about his new book The Power of One Man: How God Uses Men Like You to Change the World.
The post Parenting Pathway Podcast: The Power of One Man first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
In the last year, screens have crept into every area of our lives. At first this seemed like the best solution, but now as the we start to expand life outside our pandemic bubble the pull to stay tethered to our screens seems unbreakable. Are you, or members of your family finding it hard to step into face-to-face relationships? This week, Student Ministry Youth Pastor, Nathan Kocurek talks with David Murrow, author of Drowning in Screen Time, on our Parenting Pathway Podcast.
The post Drowning In Screen Time first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
In Part 2 of our conversation with our resident 30 something Sarah Mcfarland, and Julie MacManus our Mom raising a teenage daughter, Pastors Dave Carl and Nathan Kocurek break down what this new generation is looking to find. In our discussion we understand that this generation is looking for purpose more than anything. Unfortunately, with God taken out of most of our society, they are seeking purpose in various causes. They will donate time, money and energy. The cause is giving them purpose. and the cause is becoming the idol. So we breakdown what young adults are looking for and how can the church engage in a way that draws them in, but also makes them comfortable and shows them God's purpose for their life.
The post Part 2: Modern Expectation of Christianity first appeared on Parenting Pathway.
Parenting Pathway Podcast looks at the strained relationship between the church and the millennial generation. This generation came of age in a period of time when institutions and leaders are perceived to have failed them. This generation is fearful of offending people and not being accepted The question is how do you show Christ's love, open the doors of the Church to a generation who does not understand or see the value of being loved by and serving Christ.
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In this Parenting Pathway Podcast Part 2, Pastor Dave Carl and Student Ministry Pastor Nathan Kocurek talk about all the losses and disappointments our children are facing in this COVID-19 world. They focus on the steps to helping our children move through their loss experience, recognize the validity of their feelings and embrace their feelings without becoming victims of their circumstances.
The post Part 2: Help Your Kids Overcome Disappointment first appeared on Parenting Pathway.