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December 29, 2016


Title: Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

Part 1 of 4

Parents have good intentions when they start a family, taking their kids to church, participating in Bible clubs, sending them on mission trips and to summer camp. So why do many young adults quit the church when they leave home? Dr. Michelle Anthony says that being “in the world” is appealing to many teens and college age students – it’s fun, it’s hip, it’s exciting. But, Jesus tells us that we cannot pursue two worlds, and our children sometimes choose the wrong one.

Michelle has graduate degrees in Christian Education, Bible, and Theology and over 25 years of church ministry and leadership experience in children’s and family ministries. She has a great new book, “Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family: Avoiding the Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles”, that she is discussing today.

Michelle says that our focus, as parents, should represent who God is in our homes. “Train up a child in the way he should, and when he is older he will not depart from it.” We cannot change their spirituality; only the Holy Spirit can do that. But we can lead them on the right path.

Listen in to this and the next three segments with Dr. Michelle Anthony as she describes some of the mistakes she has seen parents make when raising children and how to avoid them.



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Title: Part 2 of 4 - Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

Dr. Michelle Anthony says a spiritually healthy family doesn’t over-think parenting or being part of a family. So many people put too much emphasis on this activity or this church event or this program they just have to attend. Slow down. Think about it. Pray about it. And then act on it.

Michelle uses a great metaphor using a director’s chair to illustrate her point. Who is sitting in the chair – you or God? “Spiritual health comes from God and we must play our part as written,” Michelle says.

Listen in as Michelle explains why it is so important to have God be your pilot, not your co-pilot.



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Title: Part 3 of 4 - Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

In this segment, Michelle discusses five of the six dysfunctional parenting styles to avoid:

The “Double-Minded” parent wants a relationship with God, but they are also very attracted to the World, as well. This is very confusing to kids and why so many young adults quit going to church.

Then we have the “I Can’t Say No” parent who feels discipline is conflict, not teaching. They want to be their kids’ best friend, which creates an entitlement type of attitude in the child.

Another parenting style to avoid is the “Driver Parent”. The father who was cut from the football team and therefore works his son to death so the same won’t happen to him. The mom who wishes she never quit ballet classes as a kid so she won’t allow her own daughter to pursue a different dream.

What about the “Micro-Managing Parent”? It’s different than the “Driver Parent”. They don’t want their child to be physically or emotionally harmed, therefore they shield them from everything and everyone that could possibly hurt them.

The “Criticizing” parent is never satisfied with their child’s achievements. They get a B on a test; you scold them because you think they should have gotten an A. They made second string in the orchestra, and you make them practice longer hours to make first string. They believe they are doing a good thing by pushing their child to work harder, but in reality they are causing harm that can last long in to adult years.



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Title: Part 4 of 4 - Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

The final type of dysfunctional parenting style to avoid is the “Absentee Parent”. This does not just apply to parents who are divorced; this is the parent who works too much, who doesn’t listen generously, who doesn’t love on their kids, who is always on their smart phone or computer.

There has to be a balance. Yes, you have to work to provide food and shelter for your family. But how often do you bring work home? Parents do need “down time”, whether alone or as a couple, but do you do date night “too often”? Dads, when is the last time you took your daughter on a date? Moms, how long has it been since you shot some hoops with your son?

Slow down. Sit down. Listen to your kids. Put the phones down at the dinner table. Play a game instead of watching some show on TV. Michelle says, “There is no expiration date on grace.” If you feel you have wronged your child, tell them and ask for forgiveness. Tomorrow may be too late.

Click [here]  to order a copy of her new book and to learn more about parenting God’s way.



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July 27, 2015


Title: Walking the Walk
Topic: Family Ministry Is Essential
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

Part 1 of 3

Children, teenagers, and college students are spending less and less time at church really studying the Word of God. It shouldn’t shock us, then, to learn that 80% of young people quit attending church by the time they graduate college. This should be an issue that weighs heavy on our hearts. But, what can we do about it? Is it our job or the churches? Dr. Michelle Anthony says it both!

Dr. Michelle Anthony is the Vice President of Learning Resources at David C. Cook. She is the author of several books, including co-author of “7 Family Ministry Essentials”.  Dr. Anthony has graduate degrees in Christian education, theology, and leadership, and has more than 25 years of church ministry experience as a children's and family pastor.

Dr. Michelle says, “We are responsible for how we pass on our faith to the next generation. It is not something we should take lightly.” What may have worked for our parents, didn’t necessarily work for us. So, we must recognize that our children will not respond to the same manner of teaching! Listen in to this and the next two segments as Dr. Michelle Anthony discusses this important issue.

Scripture calls us to be Ambassadors of the Gospel. If we are from the Kingdom of God and we bear His image, than our homes and our lives should reflect that,” Dr. Michelle says.



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Title: Part 2 of 3 - Walking the Walk
Topic: Family Ministry Is Essential
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

For far too long many parents have relied heavily on the church to teach their children the right path to choose. Many parents, not all, do not instill the same morals at home that they expect the church to teach. How often do you pray with your kids – and not just at supper or bedtime? Does your family have a daily devotion time? Do you ever talk to your kids about social issues facing our nation and what the Christian response should be?

Dr. Michelle Anthony agrees that the church is a vital part of raising children in godly manner. However, many parent wonder what they did wrong when they see their teen or college student walk from the faith. One thing that Dr. Michelle suggests is making teens and college students more responsible in the church instead of just attending their class or youth/college worship. Make them actually do something. Listen in as she explains!

Another topic discussed in this segment is teaching our children lasting Biblical truths. When our kids discover the truth about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, they realize we lied to them! Public schools (and even some private ones) tell our kids that the earth was created by a big boom in an instant and that God had nothing to do with it. Who and what are they to believe?

If you really live your life every day as if Jesus was physically right beside you, your kids will see that. They will mirror that. They will want to be like that. But if Jesus is only a part of your life for one day a week or one day a year, then you’re in trouble. More importantly, your kids are in trouble.



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Title: Part 3 of 3 - Walking the Walk
Topic: Family Ministry Is Essential
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

Knowing and memorizing Scripture is a very important part of a Christian’s life. In fact, Dr. Michelle Anthony says, “Scripture is the foundation of our faith. It is where we find truth.” The world  screams that Biblical truth is not true. We must arm our children with Biblical knowledge before we send them off into the world.

Knowing Scripture leads us to another Family Ministry Essential: Take what you know about the Gospel and tell the world. Everyone – young and old – should be able to tell their testimony to others. “Preaching to people can be offensive, but telling your story will grab someone’s attention every time,” Dr. Anthony says. Listen in as she discusses how to take our faith outside our comfort zone. We should never be too busy to share the Gospel to others.

You can learn more about Dr. Michelle Anthony [here].



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January 23, 2015


Title: Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

Part 1 of 4

Parents have good intentions when they start a family, taking their kids to church, participating in Bible clubs, sending them on mission trips and to summer camp. So why do many young adults quit the church when they leave home? Dr. Michelle Anthony says that being “in the world” is appealing to many teens and college age students – it’s fun, it’s hip, it’s exciting. But, Jesus tells us that we cannot pursue two worlds, and our children sometimes choose the wrong one.

Michelle has graduate degrees in Christian Education, Bible, and Theology and over 25 years of church ministry and leadership experience in children’s and family ministries. She has a great new book, “Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family: Avoiding the Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles”, that she is discussing today.

Michelle says that our focus, as parents, should represent who God is in our homes. “Train up a child in the way he should, and when he is older he will not depart from it.” We cannot change their spirituality; only the Holy Spirit can do that. But we can lead them on the right path.

Listen in to this and the next three segments with Dr. Michelle Anthony as she describes some of the mistakes she has seen parents make when raising children and how to avoid them.



More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 2 of 4 - Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

Dr. Michelle Anthony says a spiritually healthy family doesn’t over-think parenting or being part of a family. So many people put too much emphasis on this activity or this church event or this program they just have to attend. Slow down. Think about it. Pray about it. And then act on it.

Michelle uses a great metaphor using a director’s chair to illustrate her point. Who is sitting in the chair – you or God? “Spiritual health comes from God and we must play our part as written,” Michelle says.

Listen in as Michelle explains why it is so important to have God be your pilot, not your co-pilot.



More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 3 of 4 - Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

In this segment, Michelle discusses five of the six dysfunctional parenting styles to avoid:

The “Double-Minded” parent wants a relationship with God, but they are also very attracted to the World, as well. This is very confusing to kids and why so many young adults quit going to church.

Then we have the “I Can’t Say No” parent who feels discipline is conflict, not teaching. They want to be their kids’ best friend, which creates an entitlement type of attitude in the child.

Another parenting style to avoid is the “Driver Parent”. The father who was cut from the football team and therefore works his son to death so the same won’t happen to him. The mom who wishes she never quit ballet classes as a kid so she won’t allow her own daughter to pursue a different dream.

What about the “Micro-Managing Parent”? It’s different than the “Driver Parent”. They don’t want their child to be physically or emotionally harmed, therefore they shield them from everything and everyone that could possibly hurt them.

The “Criticizing” parent is never satisfied with their child’s achievements. They get a B on a test; you scold them because you think they should have gotten an A. They made second string in the orchestra, and you make them practice longer hours to make first string. They believe they are doing a good thing by pushing their child to work harder, but in reality they are causing harm that can last long in to adult years.



More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

Title: Part 4 of 4 - Avoid These Six Dysfunctional Parenting Styles
Topic: Family Issues
Discussed by Dr. Michelle Anthony
with Dr. Michelle Anthony (www.MichelleAnthony.org)

The final type of dysfunctional parenting style to avoid is the “Absentee Parent”. This does not just apply to parents who are divorced; this is the parent who works too much, who doesn’t listen generously, who doesn’t love on their kids, who is always on their smart phone or computer.

There has to be a balance. Yes, you have to work to provide food and shelter for your family. But how often do you bring work home? Parents do need “down time”, whether alone or as a couple, but do you do date night “too often”? Dads, when is the last time you took your daughter on a date? Moms, how long has it been since you shot some hoops with your son?

Slow down. Sit down. Listen to your kids. Put the phones down at the dinner table. Play a game instead of watching some show on TV. Michelle says, “There is no expiration date on grace.” If you feel you have wronged your child, tell them and ask for forgiveness. Tomorrow may be too late.

Click [here]  to order a copy of her new book and to learn more about parenting God’s way.



More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization