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The Impact of Warmth

Beth Cunningham unpacks the research behind warmth, the first building block of closeness—and why it’s a key predictor of whether kids carry their parents’ faith into adulthood.


Topics covered include:

  • Why what happens at home is part of a kids pastor’s discipleship strategy
  • What “warmth” is (and what it isn’t) in parent-child relationships
  • How warmth strengthens closeness—and why closeness predicts long-term faith
  • Simple ways leaders can keep warmth on parents’ radar over time
  • Practical starting points like “name it” and the 10-minute rule


Key takeaway for leaders

  • Warmth is the foundation—faith is often passed down through closeness, and warmth is where closeness begins.
  • Warmth is not permissiveness or harsh discipline; it’s love + boundaries in the same relationship.
  • You don’t need to become a therapist—just keep warmth consistently and naturally in front of parents.
  • Make warmth shared language in your ministry (volunteers, parents, group chats, gatherings) so it multiplies beyond you.
  • Give parents a low-barrier win like the 10-minute, distraction-free connection a few times a week to build lasting relational trust.