HIGHLIGHTS:  What types of things do you feel like dads struggle with when it comes to parenting?  Jeff: I think we come to the relationship with our kids with OUR expectations, and we bring how WE were parented. It can be hard to encourage your kids, and appreciate who THEY are. Rather than pushing them to be the best at everything, or be the best at what WE want them to pursue, affirm them. They need to know that they are valuable, they are loved, and they are cared for. We do want them to be the best, we do want them to be great—but I want my kids to know that they’re loved by God first and me second.  Jacob: I think dads struggle with the transition from working man to family man. And you have to be really intentional to make that change some days. Sometimes you just need to drive around the block one extra time, and say a prayer. Ask the Lord to help you make that transition; the greatest leading you’ll do all day is what you do when you walk in your house.  What are some things you do with your kids to connect with them, to make lasting memories and impact? Jeff: You have to intentionally look at your calendar and schedule one-on-one time with your kids. If it doesn’t get scheduled, it doesn’t get done. Family time is great, but one-on-one time is where you can really connect, and those are the special memories your kids are going to hold onto.  Jacob: I try to be intentional about WHAT I do with my kids. I intentionally get on their level and do what they love to do—and it’s different for each kid. However, I also bring them along one-on-one to do adult things, whether it’s going to Home Depot or the grocery store, so they see me leading and working hard, and can learn from that. What encouragement do you have for dads?  Jeff: Our lives get really busy. If we’re not careful, and don’t schedule that special family time, our priorities shift. Scheduling time with your spouse, prioritizing that relationship, is an amazing example to set for your kids about how to have a great marriage. I want my kids to know that I love my wife first, and then them; and that I love them more than I love my job, sports, or anything else. When they go to college and become adults, I want them to look back and recognize that while I wasn’t perfect, they always knew that I loved Jesus and I loved them.  Jacob: First—dads, you’re doing a great job. Just by listening to this podcast, you’re proving you care. You’re doing a great job. Second—don’t outsource the discipleship of your kids. The church is here to help, but YOU are the primary disciplemaker of your kids. Third—raise your kids in the way THEY should go. God made them each unique, he wired them each differently, and dads need to help their kids find THEIR own path.  

RH Family Making History

Fatherhood, Part 3

In this second part of our three-part miniseries, we’re joined by Jason Hale, our Nolensville Campus Pastor, and Nic Allen, our Nashville Campus Pastor. We’re excited to get some great advice from these guys, and some encouragement we get to share with you!  HIGHLIGHTS:  What types of things do you feel like dads struggle with when it comes to parenting?  Jason: As men, so much of our life is measurable—sales reports, metrics, etc. With parenting, you never really know if what you’re doing is taking root or mattering. Parenting isn’t something you can put metrics around.  Nic: We have to anticipate the problems, pitfalls, and challenges we’ll have to face so that we’re prepared for them rather than reacting to them.  What are some things you do with your kids to connect with them, to make lasting memories and impact? Nic: Connect with your kids over the responsibilities they have, and the responsibilities you share together. Maybe it’s gardening, or lawn care, or pet care. Maybe it’s a way that you’re serving in the community. I think a lot of the time dads want to do the fun things—coaching the team, playing the game, watching the show—but we neglect the idea of connecting with our kids over their responsibilities. They want to do big things and that will help prepare them.  Jason: Two things—First, find things that are adventurous, and new, that stretch your kids. Second, spend individual time with your kids and be sensitive to their need to have one-on-one time with you.  What encouragement do you have for dads?  Jason: Know that we see the investment you’re making. As a pastor, in conversations with adults it can become apparent who has a dad that was uninvolved, wasn’t affectionate, and/or wasn’t present. Even if you can’t measure it right now, know that the investment you’re making in your kids matters; God is going to take those deposits and use them in ways you can’t imagine to fulfill the plan He has for your kids. Nic: Regardless of what your role is in the rest of the world, you’re the ONLY dad your kids have. God chose you to be the best earthly example of our relationship with Him. The father/child relationship is so important—know that no matter where you are, or what you’ve done with this relationship, it’s never too late to get things on track. It’s never too late to make your role as Dad a priority in your life, and it’s never too late for reconciliation.  

Fatherhood, Part 2

Being “Dad” is a big job! Fatherhood is a blessing. It’s also a challenge, and a huge responsibility. It’s vital to our families and to our church to have father figures. We’re joined in this first part of our three-part miniseries by David Curtis, Worship Leader at our Nolensville Campus, and T. Lusk, Campus Pastor at our Columbia Campus. We’re excited to get some great advice from these guys, and some encouragement we get to share with you!  HIGHLIGHTS:  What types of things do you feel like dads struggle with when it comes to parenting?  David: There’s a struggle balancing discipline with the life-stages of toddlers and young kids. Is my three-year-old going to be a terror forever, or is this just a phase she’s in? There’s a balance between knowing when to lean in, and when not to lean in. When does a behavior require discipline, and when do I need to exhibit patience for something that is age-appropriate? T.: I think a lot of dads struggle with patience when their “kingdom” is infringed upon—when they come home and things aren’t peaceful, the tv isn’t theirs, the house is a mess and the kids are loud. And in that situation, our response is not usually out of grace. What are some things you do with your kids to connect with them, to make lasting memories and impact? David: We try to be intentional to set aside a day of rest. Our kids notice this, that we’re focused on God and resting in Him, rather than looking down at our phones or staying busy. We hope to make this a pattern in our home. T.: We try to take our kids on “dates” where they get alone time with both parents throughout a season. And these dates aren’t fancy, they can be a trip to Home Depot, but it’s time one-on-one with mom or dad. The kids love it and ask for that time.  Chase: I try to connect with my daughter by doing what she wants to do in that moment, especially if it’s not something that I would normally be the one to do. What encouragement do you have for dads?  David: I grew up with a supportive dad—he cared about what I cared about. He leaned into what I was passionate about, worked to understand it, and trusted that God would direct that path. Take the time to support your kids and let them figure their path out for themselves. T.: Slow down, and listen to your kids. Learn what they love so that you CAN lean in and support them along the way.  Chase: Model the behavior you want to see. It’s your job to model what you want to see in your kids. We care about what they’ll grow up to do, but we care MORE about who they’re going to become. 

Fatherhood, Part 1

Let’s hear it for the moms! No matter what age and stage their child is in, there are challenges moms may not feel equipped to handle. We were joined by Molly Westmoreland, founder of Seed Planting Mom, to talk about common struggles in motherhood. Molly reminds us that each mom was hand-picked by God to parent their kids and provides some practical, Biblical ways to empower their children and themselves.

Doing Mom-Life Well

We sat down with Kathy Koon, Counseling Director at Rolling Hills Community Church and Certified Biblical Counselor, to discuss the mental health of the next generation. The past year has brought with it an increase in social isolation, additional reliance on screens, and a deepening cultural divide. Statistics show there’s been a worldwide increase in the prevalence of mental illness, unmet needs for mental health treatment, and suicidal ideation—and that those most affected are teens.

Mental Health in the Next Generation

We sat down with Grace Simmons and Ethan Pflug, students at a local high school who are also involved in our Student Ministry, to help us unpack what, from their perspectives, are the benefits and harms of Social Media. While their experiences may not exactly mirror the way your student uses and has experienced social media, we hope this conversation lends some insight into what teenagers are seeing and processing daily as they use these platforms.

Social Media, Part 3

We sat down with Jacob Scrimpshire, Discipleship Pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church, to discuss what it really means to disciple our kids. He walks parents through spiritual practices they should be practicing themselves, and offers encouragement for the parent who thinks they are too late to start discipling their child.

Discipling Your Kids

Rolling Hills’ very own Nashville Campus Pastor Nic Allen, Nolensville Campus Pastor Jason Hale, and Lead Pastor Jeff Simmons sat down with Pastor Chase for a fun and incredibly helpful conversation about how we can prepare for and lead through a Christmas like no other. This conversation is courtesy of Men's Leadership Network.

Preparing for Christmas | MLN

In this second episode of our series on social media, we continue our conversation with Jenny Black, a licensed marriage & family therapist who specializes in training and education about how mental health is impacted by our use of media. Jenny defines “media trauma,” provides advice for parents about when & how to allow their children/teens to get social media accounts, and offers practical tips for walking alongside your kids as they navigate our media-driven world.

Social Media, Part 2

In this first part of our series on social media, we sat down with Jenny Black, a licensed marriage & family therapist who specializes in training and education about how mental health is impacted by our use of media. Jenny takes us deep into Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages of development, and how involvement in our increasingly digital world affects our kids at each stage.

Social Media, Part 1

In this last part of our Race and the Christian Family series, we were privileged to sit down with Jose and Genevieve Duenas. Jose is from Guadalajara, Mexico, and Genevieve is from California. They were both raised Catholic in single-parent homes, met in high school, and are now parents of two teenagers. We loved hearing their perspective about embracing their culture while weaving others into their every day lives from the time their children were very young.

Race and the Christian Family, Part 3

We sat down with Jorge and Lucy Mhondera to continue our conversation about Race and the Christian Family. Jorge is from Zimbabwe, and Lucy is from Britain. They've both lived in many countries. We loved hearing their story, specifically talking about their biracial family and how their multi-cultural backgrounds frame their perspectives on race relations.

Race and the Christian Family, Part 2

Christian families have a responsibility to discuss and acknowledge race and systemic racism. We had the incredible opportunity to spend time with Jamesetta Cleveland, single mom to three grown children. We loved hearing her story, and listening as she discussed practical ways we can discuss race and other differences with our children.

Race & The Christian Family, Part 1

We had the opportunity to sit down with Sara Ingmire, an Elementary School Teacher, and Jason Loudon, a Middle School Principal, about ways to wrap up the school year and transition to a summer of fun in this current COVID-19 season. In addition to being educators, they are parents and Christ-followers first. Join us as we learn from their wisdom—you will enjoy what they have to share!

Rethinking Summer

In this second segment of our 2-part episode tackling parenting through COVID-19, we'll focus on things you can do during this unusual season. Join us as we discuss choosing gratitude, intentionality, acts of service, and spiritual growth – and the ways modeling these things for your kids can make an impact even when our lives return to "normal."

Parenting Through COVID-19, Part 2

Our heartbeat is for the church and the family to connect in such a way that the Gospel, His story, comes alive in the hearts of the next generation. Parenting is a journey with many opportunities to shape and pour into the next generation.

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RH Family Making History

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