A Strategic Parent Communication Plan for Your Ministry

When we think about connecting with families, we often picture in-person conversations or family-focused events. And those moments matter. But if we want to keep our vision in front of families all year long, we need to think about communication in a more consistent, intentional way.

Whether you connect with parents and caregivers through email, text lists, social media, or phone calls, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence. A simple, thoughtful communication strategy helps families feel informed, supported, and connected to what God is doing through your ministry. (Oh and if you’re looking for a guide for volunteer communication, you can find that here!)

The first step toward communicating well is listening well. That’s why, amongst our tools created for families, we recommend offering a Parent Survey at the beginning of the year. This simple tool helps you learn more than just logistics—it gives you insight into how parents want to be supported and how they prefer to hear from you.

• Do they prefer emails or text messages?
• Would they rather engage through social media, a hub, or something more traditional?

When you understand how families want to communicate, you can connect with them in ways that feel respectful, clear, and helpful—rather than overwhelming or easy to miss.

Once you know how parents prefer to hear from you, you can begin sharing the information and encouragement that helps them feel confident and connected.

WHAT TO SHARE

Each month, look for a few meaningful ways to communicate with families –

• Choose a topic of the month. When possible, connect it to what kids or teenagers are learning in your ministry. Share resources parents can use at home, reflection questions to spark conversation, or simple ways to reinforce the theme throughout the week.
• Share a ministry win. Stories help parents see what’s happening beyond the drop-off line. Whether it’s a meaningful conversation, a step of faith, or kids caring for one another, sharing these moments invites parents to celebrate alongside you.
• Share something inspiring or encouraging. A short video, quote, or reflection can remind parents they’re not alone in the work they’re doing—and that their role matters deeply.
• Offer a helpful resource. Parenting is challenging, and support goes a long way. Sharing one practical article, tip, or resource each month helps parents feel equipped without adding pressure.

Monthly communication sets the tone—but weekly touch points help parents feel prepared and connected.

Your communication strategy shouldn’t be limited to only monthly emails. There are helpful things parents should hear before your weekly program too.

Each week, consider using social media or Grow Hubs for…

• Share upcoming news and announcements so families can plan and participate.
• Give parents a preview of what kids or teenagers will be learning, helping them continue the conversation at home.
• Offer encouragement or a practical tip, reminding parents that your ministry is for them too.
• Invite feedback or ask a question, reinforcing that communication is a two-way partnership.

Communicating with parents every week might feel overwhelming, but you really can do it! You just need to establish some basic routines (and stick with them!) Here’s a simple step-by-step approach to thinking about your weekly communication strategy…

1. WRITE AN EMAIL: Even in a social-media-driven world, email is still one of the most reliable ways to reach families. Email tools like MailChimp make it easy to reuse content, track engagement, and share links across platforms.
2. POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Once your email is written, reuse parts of it on social platforms. A Facebook page can share updates broadly, while a parent group or text list creates space for conversation and reminders.
3. USE YOUR HUB: If you’ve built up a central hub for parents using Slack or Grow Hubs, make sure you post your communication content there too! A central place helps parents know exactly where to find information, resources, and updates—without searching through emails or messages.

Staying in regular communication with parents does more than share information. It builds trust, reinforces vision, and helps families feel supported and included. While it may feel like extra work at first, the payoff is families who feel connected and confident in the partnership you’re building together.

And hey, if you’re looking for an easy tool to help, we’ve built a resource just for you! In our Volunteer & Parent Communication resource, we’ve given you everything you need to communicate with your parents and volunteers throughout the year. You’ll get guides for planning social media, parent emails, and volunteer emails. Plus, you’ll get a few feedback questions to ask, editable ministry calendars, and more!

Whether you’re planning months ahead or pulling something together for next week, the Grow Marketplace helps you find exactly what you need, when you need it. Grow makes ministry easier for you and your team.