When he was as kid, attending church was a no-brainer. But now that he’s a teenager, getting him there comes down to a standoff between parent and son, seeing whose will is going to break first. What’s a parent to do?

As always, I encourage parents to look for the root of the problem. Have an honest conversation with your teen about why he doesn’t like going to church. Does he think it’s irrelevant? Take him on a mission trip, so he can see firsthand God’s transforming work. With an accurate diagnosis, you’ll be better equipped to meet his needs.

It won’t be easy, and it’ll take persistence, but with God’s help, you can reach the heart of your teen when it comes to important issues like church.

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