YouthTRAIN LIVE!

Students need sleep to succeed

2008-07-21T12:52:00.003+12:00

stuff.co.nz, 21 July 2008
Teenagers need nine hours of sleep a night and parents can help by getting them back on a school sleep schedule before classes begin, researchers suggest. Early morning classes can be particularly hard on teenagers because "their circadian rhythms change at puberty and they want to go to sleep later and wake up later," Robert Roberts, a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health, said. more...

Of course it's not only school work that is affected by a lack of sleep - it affects all areas of a teenager's life. When counselling young people who are not coping with some aspect of life it can be useful to determine whether or not they are getting enough sleep. Not sleeping enough not only causes problems but limits the teens ability to cope with problems.

All in the mind in battle of sexes

2008-07-21T12:40:00.003+12:00

The Dominion Post, 21 July 2008
It will come as no surprise to women – parts of their brains are bigger then men's. There is, however, no winner in this battle of the sexes – scientists have also found some areas of male brains are larger than those of females. The findings are part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that male and female brains are very different, both in physical features and the way they're wired. more...

Not a lot of specific content here apart from a few "myths" but this article is a good reminder of what we see in youth ministry and what God intended - that adolescent boys and girls do think and react differently.

Getting youngsters on the straight and narrow

2008-07-21T12:30:00.004+12:00

The Dominion Post, 28 June 2008
In the garage at the rear of the Maraeroa Marae Health Clinic in Porirua is a pole laden with coloured scarfs, mostly blue or red. Each one represents a young person who has given up gang life in an effort to better themselves. They have been shown a different path by Fa'amatuainu Wayne Poutoa, who founded the Streets Ahead programme to reduce gang recruitment, violence and crime. When they finish the five-day course, armed with new self- knowledge, they hand over their colours – and move on. more...

A valuable insight into what programme is doing to combat the gang problem. Many of the principles and insights are useful for us working with young people from any background. Check out the Streets Ahead bebo page.

Let's stop trying to turn girls into probationary sexpots

2008-06-26T10:23:00.003+12:00

The Melbourne Age, 23 June 2008
I've just learnt to be an A+ kisser. I'm also totally in the know about hooking up, performing oral sex (with or without braces) and girl-on-girl pashing. I've read the sealed section too and know that 58% of readers lost their virginity between age 10 and 15. This, I guess, means I'm either hot — or not. As for rehab, that's a bit like staying in a really posh hotel isn't it? What would I do without Dolly magazine? more...

The pressure is on for our girls to grow up quickly and magazines like Dolly are leading the push. If you've not read these magazines its worth getting hold of a copy to see for yourself the messages - subtle and not so subtle - that are being fed to our young people. We may not be able to stop them reading them but we can raise the issues with them and present a different viewpoint, teaching discernment. Perhaps we also have a role in educating parents of our young people as to the harmful influences these magazines present. See also our earlier blog post for more comment.

Wanted: Men for mentoring scheme

2008-06-26T10:05:00.004+12:00

NZ Herald, 25 June 2008
New Zealand's biggest youth mentoring programme, Project K, is running out of men. The programme, founded in 1995 by mountaineer Graeme Dingle and his partner Jo-anne Wilkinson, attracted only one man to its last mentor training course in Auckland. Nationally, it had to use women to mentor 44 of its 174 male students last year as well as all 122 female students, even though it aims to match men with boys and women with girls. more...

What a great opportunity to be involved in young people's lives. Any takers? For more information see the Project K website.

Youth ministry's seven biggest words

2008-06-26T09:57:00.003+12:00

by Jeanne Mayo, Simply Youth Ministry
I just slipped away from our church gym to finish this column. I wish you could be with me for the experience. Our youth group is sponsoring our “first ever dodge ball tournament”…complete with enough energy and testosterone to make you think that you were at the NBA playoffs! ... What’s my role in the competition? ... I’m living out youth ministry’s seven biggest words; and I’ve learned a long time ago that this principle is a simple one that you cannot violate if you want to experience effective youth ministry. more...

Click the link to find out what these seven words are and to read of some very practical things you can do to put these words into practice.

Two words that can kill your youth ministry

2008-06-26T09:21:00.003+12:00

by Mark deVries, Simply Youth Ministry
College Street Church* had just hired Jack,* their new youth worker. And because he came to them with limited experience, the church provided him a year of youth ministry coaching. Our first conversation was positive enough. But after our second visit, I had quickly learned Jack’s favorite two words: “I know.” Curiously, each “I know” was promptly followed by his failing to put into action the very principles we believed he already knew. Within 6 months, Jack was moving on. His two-word mantra just didn’t work. It didn’t work with parents, with volunteers, and it especially didn’t work with his boss. more...

The writer gives some excellent tips on how to last in youth ministry by eradicating what he calls "unconscious ignorance".

Why We Need To Go To Church (Part Two)

2008-06-26T09:14:00.004+12:00

by Steve Case, Youth Specialties
The funniest joke in the world isn't funny at all if you don't have someone to tell it to. Part of going to church is the sharing of our lives. We pray for each other. We lift each other up. The concerns of our lives weigh down on us like an iron harness. We put one of these on and then are asked to go swimming. Being a part of a church means there are others there to help lift you up, help hold you study while you pull the harness off and hand it to God. Likewise you are there to hold up the next person, to "bear each other's burdens" as the scriptures teach us. more...

A continuation of an earlier article that gives good reasons for going to church.

Harm minimisation: just say no

2008-06-23T12:44:00.004+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 19 June 2008
Three weeks ago, on May 27, Tony and Angela Wood went to a Chinese restaurant to mark what would have been their daughter Anna's 28th birthday, had she lived. As they do each year, they ordered her favourite meal, Peking duck, and remembered the 15-year-old girl who died in 1995 after taking ecstasy for the first time. But while her parents have been touring schools and spreading the message that illegal drug use is never safe, Anna Wood was being co-opted without their permission as a poster girl of the drug harm-minimisation lobby, which has shaped debate about drug use in Australia for 25 years - but is losing credibility as contrary evidence piles up. more...

The messages received by our young people in relation to drug use are not simply "yes" or "no". There is a line of thought that says our young people will likely experiment with drugs so let's keep the impact to a minimum. The article helps us understand this line of thinking - something which is useful if we are to counter it in the minds of our young people.

Missing both ends

2008-06-16T15:39:00.004+12:00

by Chuck Bomar, Simply Youth Ministry
"Tension" is probably a good word to use for the adolescent stage of life. Typically the parent tries to keep his child in childhood, while the child pushes toward adulthood. Although approached with immaturity, adolescents want to think and act in ways that are adult-like. On this side of parenthood, I understand both sides. However, it's one thing to find the balance as a parent or fight for it as a child, but how do we address this as youth workers? more...

The author points out that adolescence covers more than the high school years and makes suggestions as to how best to minister to preteens in the 10-12 age group and the 18 plus age group.

How to break the babysitter syndrome

2008-06-16T15:30:00.003+12:00

by Mark deVries, Simply Youth Ministry
“This church doesn’t want a youth minister; they want a babysitter!” More than once, these words have fallen from my lips. And though we may say it differently, with words like, “All these people care about is increasing their kids’ SAT scores and helping them be lacrosse team captains,” “The last thing that church wants is a youth ministry that makes disciples,” the predictable complaint is the same: “This church wants a babysitter!” more...

Ever feel like this - that people expect you to be a babysitter? Is it possible we are part of the problem? In this article the author offers what he calls: "A Sure-Fire Formula for Keeping Your Church Stuck in a Babysitter Mentality."

When you have to be the bad guy

2008-06-16T13:44:00.005+12:00

by Jeanne Mayo, Simply Youth Ministry
OK, I guess it’s just an unavoidable part of being in youth ministry. Most all the great suspense and adventure movies have one, so why shouldn’t youth ministry? What am I talking about? I’m referencing the occasional, not-so-fun role of being the “bad guy.” It’s a pretty raw topic for me right now because less than 24 hours ago, I found myself filling that role in a king-sized way. You see, I had to kick a student out of a year-long discipleship program which our youth ministry directs. Believe me, it was not one of my happiest ministry moments. Yet, I knew it was right. more...

The author gives some great practical suggestions on how to handle those situations where we must discipline.

Girls drinking themselves sick

2008-06-16T12:58:00.003+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 10 June 2008
The number of young women hospitalised after binge drinking has doubled in less than a decade, a new study shows. The report, to be published in the Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Public Health today, suggested there was an immediate need for public health interventions such as increased alcohol taxation. It found the rate of alcohol-induced hospital admissions for Victorian males and females aged between 16 and 24 had increased substantially over eight years. more...

There are some useful statistics to be found in this article along with suggestions for curbing alcohol consumption. While higher taxes and reduced advertising may have some effect, what needs to occur is for binge drinking to become as socially unacceptable as smoking and that is a lot harder to achieve.

Virginity pledges help some delay sex - US study

2008-06-16T12:18:00.004+12:00

stuff.co.nz, 11 June 2008
Taking a pledge to remain a virgin until married may help some teens and young adults in delaying the start of sexual activity, US researchers reported. A study by the Rand Corporation research institute found that 34 per cent of youths who took such pledges as teens had had sexual intercourse within three years compared to 42 per cent of similar teens who did not make virginity pledges. The Rand team said they had taken into account differences such as religious beliefs, parenting and friendship characteristics. more...

An interesting result as other studies have said there is little difference. Whatever way you look at it virginity pledges are not the whole answer. Ongoing discussion that helps young people truly own moral convictions for themselves along with assistance in developing a real relationship with Christ in which they strengthened by His Spirit is of greater value. The former has a tendency to build a fence around the young person while the latter seeks to build resistance from within.

Why we need to go to church (Part one)

2008-06-11T10:19:00.004+12:00

by Steve Case, Youth Specialties
I sat in my office with three students on my couch and one on the spare chair. I had been up this particular Sunday morning since 6:00 because I had so much to do before the service began. It was between the services now and I was going to be assisting with communion in the second service. I was teaching confirmation at noon and still had a few more things to plan before the evening youth group meeting. Just a few short hours ago I was warm in my bed, my hand still on the alarm clock where I punched the "quit that" button. I lay there and listened to the rain and thunder outside and knew a round of kickball that evening was out. Now I sat in my office with my nose buried in a cup of Starbucks, trying to inhale every last bit of caffeine from the sides of the cup. My students are yammering and one of them said, "I don't need to come to church to be religious. I'm spiritual. I don't know why my parents make me come." She turned and looked at me and said, "Would you be here if you didn't HAVE to be here?" more...

So what would you say? Or what do you say when your young people question the need for them to go to church? In part one the writer gives some great reasons for us to consider and pass on.

Online assault

2008-06-10T16:52:00.003+12:00

The Melbourne Age, 2 June 2008
What happened to Megan Meier was every parent's worst nightmare. Two years ago, the 13-year-old US student met 16- year-old "Josh" on social networking website MySpace. They developed an online friendship that soon turned sexual. Over the course of a few weeks, Josh flirted with Megan, telling her by email that she was "sexy". But it wasn't long before his mood changed and he became increasingly abusive. Josh told Megan that the world would be a better place without her and eventually he cut off the friendship. Megan committed suicide soon after. more...

This much publicised case serves as an introduction to this article about the problems of cyber bullying and the various forms it takes. It talks of the difficulties young people face in reporting it (being further bullied or having their parents take away access to technology). We as youth workers have an important role to play as "safe" people whom they can report bullying too and seek comfort and support.

Now what should I teach

2008-06-10T16:34:00.004+12:00

by Brian Berry, Simply Youth Ministry
How do you choose what to teach in your youth ministry? In some circles, it’s a heavily defended and debated process. Some say you should teach verse by verse through the Bible so you teach the whole counsel of the Word of God. Others claim that good teaching understands its audience first and then seeks to help them understand the Scriptures, often implementing a more topical method of teaching. Still others are tied to the traditions of their church or denomination, and find security in teaching not what they feel is right, but rather what a larger body of believers throughout church history has said is best, teaching the next message or text in their church lectern. more...

The writer talk of two approaches to curriculun - the "felt need" and "spirit led" approach and how he alternates between them - worth a thought.

Myth buster

2008-06-06T12:30:00.003+12:00

The Melbourne Age, 29 May 2008
A new book challenges the idea that games make children antisocial, says Jason Hill. The release of Grand Theft Auto IV has triggered concern from video game critics worried about the impact of violent games on children, despite its adults-only rating in most countries. There is still a lack of research on the impact of interactive games on players, so public health researcher Cheryl Olson set out to examine whether popular assumptions that link violent behaviour to violent games have any basis. more...

The research looks at reasons why young people (and not just boys) like violent games and suggests strageties parents (and to some extent youth workers) can use. The researchers came up with mixed results that "surprised, encouraged and sometimes disturbed" them. Check out the article based on their findings and perhaps forward it on to parents.

Cannabis shrinks brain volume: study

2008-06-06T12:22:00.004+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 4 June 2008
Heavy marijuana use over many years appears to shrink parts of the brain that control emotion and memory, an Australian study shows. Brain scans on 15 men who smoked at least five joints a day for more than a decade show for the first time that they have structural brain abnormalities not seen in non-smokers. The researchers from the University of Melbourne say their findings should settle the historic controversy over the long-term effects of cannabis use with solid proof of the damage it causes. more...

There is some further valuable information here to use when talking with young people about the dangers of marijuana use.

Learning to lift their game

2008-06-06T12:11:00.003+12:00

NZ Herald, 31 May 2008
It's a cold and wet night in the Far North, where two boys are struggling to hold a telegraph pole above their heads as they run through mud, up and down hills, over and over again. One has convictions for assault, the other for burglary and both are on "night PT" (physical training) - two gruelling hours of exercises after collecting three "strikes" for their indiscretions, including a punch-up between themselves during day three of the Male Youth New Direction (New Directions) programme. more...

What comes through clearly in the programme is the need to set boundaries and to have young people face up to the consequences of their actions when boundaries are crossed. While the young people involved in this programme are more "extreme" then those most of us deal with the principle is the same: young people benefit from clear guidelines and consequences. Do we maintain these two essentials in our programmes and in our dealings with young people? Or do we let them get away with misbehaviour in the hope they will keep liking us?

A letter from Walt Mueller to your senior pastor

2008-05-26T18:03:00.006+12:00

Simply Youth Ministry
I’ve asked your youthworker to forward this letter on to you. It’s about the kids in your congregation and the powerful role that you play as their pastor in their spiritual nurture.I know that you’ve got teenagers sitting in your congregation every week. From your vantage point up front, you may spot them doodling, daydreaming, napping, zoning out, or even text-messaging. At times, it becomes painfully obvious that their eyes are lying. Even though those eyes may be focused on you, the young person behind the eyes is somewhere else. more...

Rather than simply forwarding it on, why not use this article as a good discussion opener for you and your senior pastor. Is there much new here that's new to them? What are it's implications for the way you minister to young people?

Alcopops: teens give their verdict

2008-05-26T17:34:00.002+12:00

The Melbourne Age, 20 May 2008
Teenagers say the price hike on alcopops won't stop them drinking — but it's still a good idea, they tell Liz Cincotta. Pre-mixed drinks, ready-to drinks, alcopops — whatever the current marketing buzzword, they are the same party accessory in any teen's vernacular. School friends Ven Woo, 18, Jessica Fernandes, Lily King and Sofi a Jasek, all 17, prefer to call them "chick drinks". more...

More than just an article about alcopops, this article gives an interesting insight into the attitudes and thoughts of young people toward alcohol.

Tips for Taming Teenagers

2008-05-26T16:26:00.003+12:00

NZ Herald, 24 May 2008
Imagine you are a single mother, with a 14-year-old son whose bedroom is a tip. During one argument over mouldy toast under the bed, he punches a hole in the wall. He is so bad-tempered and unpredictable you're secretly slightly scared of him. What do you do? Not easy, says clinical psychologist, Nigel Latta. But do-able. more...

Here is an article not only useful to us as youth workers but one to perhaps email on to parents. Latta's recommendations include "good communication coupled with robotic disengagement - remaining removed and dispassionate no matter how your teenagers act up." - something he says he learnt from watching the silverback gorilla on YouTube! He also advocates the importance of teaching children cause and effect which includes punishment, "even if it isn't fashionable" noting that positive reinforcement alone does not work.

Taking the mean out of the teen

2008-05-26T16:13:00.003+12:00

Sunday News, 25 May 2008
Teen girls are being asked to put their claws away and be nice on Friday. Girlfriend magazine has launched National Compliments Day, asking readers not to be Mean Girls but to focus on the good in themselves and others and voice it through compliments. Shortland Street star Kimberley Crossman knows how important that can be. more...

This article reminds us of the power of compliments for young people trying to establish a sense of their own identity.

Children growing up too fast - experts

2008-05-19T14:52:00.003+12:00

stuff.co.nz, 15 May 2008
Children today are growing up too fast and acting like adults at a very early age, child health experts say. With television and the internet playing an increasing role in their lives, children are often exposed to ideas and issues they cannot comprehend fully. They are coming under influences that were kept away from them in the past , and sometimes their parents are to blame. more...

The article presents quotes (not always in agreement) from a wide range of sources on this topic of young people growing up too fast. Most helpful is the list of factors that contribute to this problem including our materialistic, consumerist and instant society. As youth workers there is little we can do to stop this happening with other people's children, although the article is helpful in encouraging us to reflect on the "counter-messages" we might deliver.

Also check out the linked article on "Mothers' and Daughter's Views".

Gen text growing up too fast

2008-05-12T11:02:00.005+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 11 May 2008
Teenagers are more materially well-off than they've ever been but increasingly plagued by adult worries, such as how to afford a house. The nation's most extensive teen research project, Dolly Youth Monitor, surveyed more than 7000 boys and girls aged between 10 and 17 over 16. Six-hundred teenagers aged 14 to 17, from NSW and Victoria, were surveyed in the latest instalment, conducted between July and September last year. more...

Increasingly teenagers are facing stress and this survey is useful in helping us better understand these stresses along with their sources and causes.

Teens more accepting of alcohol: survey

2008-05-12T10:40:00.003+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 11 May 2008
Many more underage Australians believe it is acceptable to drink alcohol on a regular basis today than they did 16 years ago, according to a national survey. The Dolly Youth Monitor, which has surveyed thousands of teenagers between the age of 10 to 17 since 1992, found there has been a sharp increase in the numbers that approve of alcohol use. The latest edition of the bi-annual survey found that 80 per cent believed regular drinking was acceptable, while back in 1992 only 64 per cent thought so. more...

But while acceptance of alcohol is up, the acceptance of cigarettes, drugs and premarital sex is done. Some interesting figures here.

Youth Ministry Tips From A Potty Mouthed Scotsman

2008-05-12T10:19:00.003+12:00

by Paul Turner, Journal of Student Ministries
Gordon Ramsay is a potty mouthed scotsman, chef, and star of tv's Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. In a recent episode of Kitchen Nightmares, I was reminded of a few things he said that apply to youth ministry, ministry and life in general. more...

Don't let a dislike for Gordon Ramsey's style put you off reading this article. It contains some great tips: cook it fresh, take it serious, tell the truth (in love), add a cleaver curve to your menu and do what you are passionate about.

Alarming figures on teenage crime

2008-05-12T09:44:00.003+12:00

NZ Herald, 9 May 2008
Up to 80 per cent of teenage offenders have drug or alcohol problems, 70 per cent aren't enrolled in any form of education and the rate of violent youth crime is rising steadily. Those alarming statistics were released yesterday by the country's top Youth Court judge Andrew Becroft at the 25th Anniversary Bluelight Conference, alongside some very simple suggestions on how to combat the growing problem. more...

Judge Beecroft and others point out that the key is providing good role models and keeping young people in education longer, messages the article refers to as "not rocket science" and "what most youth workers already know". What is interesting and encouraging for us is Auckland mayor John Banks thoughts on the impact of the church workers on his life as a child.

Bills go unpaid as tight times hit young Kiwis

2008-05-12T09:31:00.005+12:00

NZ Herald, 8 May
The deteriorating credit habits of Generation Y - 18 to 28-year-olds - has resulted in a 15 per cent rise since 2003 in those not paying their credit card bill, a new report reveals. But Generation X - aged 28 to 43 - still leads in not paying the bills. Figures from New Zealand's largest credit information provider, Veda Advantage, also show that total defaults are up 11 per cent from the March quarter last year. more...

There are some interesting observations and statistics here about the financial habits of young people, which also reflect the way in which they view and approach life. I wonder how different are the habits of young people in our youth ministry particularly given the Bible's warnings about borrowing and the need to honour God with our money? Perhaps what we see is worse than financial mismanagement - is it just plain wrong? A good discussion starter...

Teenagers want sex in their magazines, say publishers

2008-05-05T09:40:00.003+12:00

Courier Mail, 3 May 2008
Rival teen magazines Dolly and Girlfriend have joined forces to defend their sex-related content, saying they are giving readers information they want and need. The magazines' publishers made a joint submission at a federal government inquiry in Sydney today to reject suggestions they should carry audience age recommendations. ACP Magazines, which publishes Dolly, and Pacific Magazines, which publishes Girlfriend, said there were important health reasons to ensure young people have access to responsible information on sexual development. more...

The magazines argue that they are simply responding to questions young people are asking in their letters to the editor section. That's true, although it is magazines like these that contribute to the questions being asked at younger ages. As youth workers we will not stop the questions being asked but need to reflect on the extent to which we provide answers to real questions young people are asking. Sex education is primarily the parents' responsibility yet we still have a role to play by consulting parents and providing answers that are biblically sound reinforce the message parents are giving.

Virtual overload disrupts sleep

2008-04-30T10:22:00.004+12:00

NZ Herald, 27 April 2008
More Kiwi children are being treated for sleep disorders after overloading on technology before bedtime. Specialists say computers, gaming consoles and texting disturb sleep patterns and cause learning, concentration and growth problems. Dr Alex Bartle, director of the Sleep Well Clinic, which has branches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, said there was no question technology kept children awake. more...

We have probably all seen examples of how important gaming can be to young people and how all consuming it can be. This article gives some credible evidence of it's effect. A good article to pass on to parents.

Eleven steps to successful small groups

2008-04-30T10:12:00.004+12:00

by Kevin Mahaffy Jr, Simply Youth Ministry
I have had the privilege and the challenge of leading student small groups in three different churches. At two of the three churches, the students were the only group within the church who had small groups. These churches had Sunday school classes, etc. but nothing in terms of small groups that met outside of the church building. My present church fits into this category. After two years of groundwork, I recently launched small groups in our student ministry. more...

The writer outlines the eleven steps he took to launch small groups, most of which apply for any new programme we might start.

Surprises are overrated

2008-04-30T09:58:00.004+12:00

by Brian Berry, Simply Youth Ministry
Some surprises are fun. An unexpected birthday bash with your best friends. Christmas presents. The prize winning bottle cap from a Snapple Contest. A Willy Wonka golden ticket. Your boss gives you a raise because you are doing such a great job at the church. (In that case, it would be a miracle.) While all of these surprises are very cool, they are also very rare. But over my years as a youth pastor, I’ve come to realize that most of the surprises youth pastors experience in ministry are not this much fun. more...

Some useful advice here on how do avoid unwelcome "surprises" and how to minimum the damage when they occur.

Teacher tied himself to disabled teen in bid to save him

2008-04-24T08:55:00.004+12:00

NZ Herald, 19 April 2008
Teacher Tony McClean, one of the seven to die in the Mangatepopo River tragedy, tied himself to one of the students, a disabled boy, in a bid to save him. Braced on a ledge in the swollen Mangatepopo River, McClean tied himself to the last teenager left to enter the water and they let go. The selfless bid to try to save the life of cerebral palsy sufferer Tom Hsu, 16, has prompted many to call the 29-year-old a hero. more...

So much has been written about this terrible tragedy that has touched the nation so deeply. Who has not been moved by the lives of the young people who died, the words of those who survived, the courage and faith of the school principal, and forgiving spirit of the parents? Off all the words written here is an article that speaks deeply to us as youth workers - the testimony of a youth leader and teacher who paid the ultimate price for one of his young people.

Creating lasting change in your teenagers

2008-04-24T08:31:00.003+12:00

by Jeanne Mayo, Simply Youth Ministry
It’s the never-ending youth ministry saga. Let’s imagine that you just hosted a youth service or retreat where the Lord showed up in a big way. Students’ lives were really impacted. They even said things like, “I’m really going to be different after tonight.” But fast-forward two or three months and what is the scene? Most of those same teenagers are back in their same spiritual ruts, without many road signs that would point to lasting change. It’s a dilemma that all seasoned youth workers face over and over. In reality, how do we more effectively partner with the Lord to create long term spiritual change? more...

What is it that will cause our messages to really creates lasting change in teenagers? Jeanne Mayo says “Behavior change happens mostly by speaking to people’s feelings” and in this article gives some practical ideas on how to use this knowledge to greatly improve the impact of our speaking.

Beyond good

2008-04-24T08:18:00.003+12:00

by Doug Franklin, Simply Youth Ministry
I have just returned from one of our mission sites where I had the chance to watch a good team have a positive mission's experience. The students loved the kids at VBS and were willing to do anything asked of them. Everything about the trip looked good. The youth pastor was happy, his adult staff felt purposeful. On the surface the trip looked great. more...

Doug Franklin talks about the number one prblem he sees with youth leaders - the willingness to settle for "good".

Companions in Ministry

2008-04-23T09:50:00.004+12:00

Will Penner, Journal of Student Ministries
More than a decade ago, a new church-planting pastor met a struggling graduate student who was looking for a place to live. Today this senior pastor and youth minister are friends, colleagues, coworkers, and, most importantly, companions in ministry. more...

Will Penner, editor of the Journal shares his story and along the way gives some very good suggestions for developing a good working relationship with your senior pastor.

Generation Z: Rich and forgotten

2008-04-16T11:30:00.005+12:00

The Melbourne Age, 13 April 2008
Welcome to Generation Z, the forgotten generation. Generation Z encompasses children aged 17 and younger, one in five of whom will have some form of mental illness. One in four will be bullied, most likely over the internet. Also known as the New Silent Generation, it will be the most educated, financially well-off and technologically literate in history. Exposed to marketing at a younger age, Zeds are experts at multi-tasking and spend their free time communicating online and texting on their mobile phones. Zeds have older parents, fewer siblings and are more disconnected from their communities than any other generation. more...

The article quotes the findings of Professor Hickie - executive director of the Brain and Mind Institute at the University of Sydney, who highlights the growing mental health problem amongst teens along with causes and the lack of adequate resources to help. A useful glimpse into the mental stresses teenagers face today.

Open and informed debate the first step

2008-04-16T11:13:00.003+12:00

NZ Herald, 14 April 2008
The Binge Drinking Culture - what can we do about it? There has been a great deal of recent media attention on youth drinking, binge drinking in particular, and the well known harmful effects of abusing alcohol. Starting with the infamous "Undie 500" which televised students running wild, fuelled by excess quantities of alcohol, there's been an ongoing series of alarming headlines. more...

In this excellent article Professor Ross McCormick from the University of Auckland, begins by defining binge drinking before looking at it's effects along with its origins and causes, and possible solutions. His assessment is that it is a complex issue which no one strategy will solve. He calls for an assessment of what is and isn't working, and discussion on what we want our society to be like.

Can kids be born bad?

2008-04-15T10:56:00.004+12:00

NZ Herald, 14 April 2008
Forensic psychologist Nigel Latta advises parents on everything from how to stop bed wetting to how to stop your child killing cats - and worse. Here, the Beyond the Darklands presenter gives his controversial advice on how to not raise a criminal. more...

Can kids be born bad? Controversially Latta says "yes". We might agree - yes kids have a "sin nature" but that's not exactly what Latta is talking about. He claims "psychopathic tendencies" are genetic rather than environmental - a theory that may present a challenge to our theology similar to theories surrounding gender orientation. It makes for interesting reading and reflection as do his less controversial ideas on the three principles for raising healthy kids - the vast majority that do not fit the psychopath label.

'Best friend' mums - it will end badly

2008-04-15T10:43:00.004+12:00

Stuff.co.nz, 14 April 2008
There's perfectionist mothers, unpredictable mothers, "me first" mothers and "complete" mothers but family experts say the fastest growing group of mothers is the "best-friend mother" - and it can only end badly. Clinical psychologist Stephan Poulter, who works with family relationships, has come up with five categories that he finds fit most mothers. He finds the group that is on the rise is mothers who want to be best friends with their children. more...

Know any mothers (or fathers) of young people like this? It is a growing trend and as the article points out at the heart of it is the parent's own unresolved issues. Whether it be the unwillingness to accept their own aging or a need to be validated by another human being, the results can be disastrous for the young person who needs their parent to be a parent through the childhood and teen years.

Delegates offer solutions to nation's problems

2008-04-14T15:09:00.003+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, April 14, 2008
It might have been lunchtime in Martin Place: men in suits were tapping on laptops, women in heels were punching notes into BlackBerries. But it was Sunday and some of the workaholics had braces on their teeth. The 100 delegates, aged 15-24, of the 2020 Youth Summit in Canberra over the weekend wanted to influence policy affecting their future. They handed the Prime Minister a list of solutions to what they saw as the country's most pressing economic and social problems. more...

I include this, not so much for the list of recommendations that were brought forward (although these will be of interest to our Australia readers) but because it made me reflect on the value of such a process for our churches. What about having a similar "Summit" for 15-24 year olds in your church and allow them to brainstorm and dream of solutions to the church's problems. If politicians will listen to young people's recommendations do it why not pastors? Who knows what might emerge...

Camp hope turns lost kids around

2008-04-14T14:56:00.004+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 12 April 2008
It's officially called a facility for troubled youths, among them Australia's worst teenage offenders. But there are no high walls or armed guards here, just a vast threatening tropical wilderness infested with snakes and crocodiles. "They usually arrive kicking and screaming," says Allan Brahminy, whose youth camps in the Northern Territory are prompting a rethink about the way juvenile offenders are handled. "By the time it comes to leave, they are usually crying because they want to stay," he says. more...

The critical factors that seem to cause this turnaround are discipline, removal from their usual environment and hard work. Comments on 17 year old "I realised that to get something from people, you have to give a bit … that life is a two-way street." The transformation process is not easy. It can take ten days to get them through the "anger phase" before the real work of transformation can begin. There are some interesting insights here about what young people, troubled or not, really need.

Fairfax unveils youth news website

2008-04-14T14:43:00.002+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 8 April 2008
Generation Y is the focus of an Australian news website launched today. The Vine (www.thevine.com.au), operated by Fairfax Digital, combines news stories targeted towards 18-25 year olds, with user-contributed content. more...

A website worth checking out regularly to keep in touch with the opinions of (Australian) youth.

Call for taggers to face their crime

2008-04-14T14:26:00.004+12:00

Western Leader, 10 April 2008
Youth worker Dave Robertson says taggers must be forced to face their victims. Mr Robertson has been a Child Youth and Family caregiver for almost five years and has a long history working with troubled youngsters. The Glen Eden resident says he has the experience to help stamp out graffiti. But he opposes moves by mayor Bob Harvey to punish parents. more...

What do you think? Hold parents responsible and fine them or have the young people face their victims through family group conferences and having to clean up the graffitti? Or both?

How NZ fell prey to the demon P

2008-04-14T13:55:00.004+12:00

The Press, 12 April 2008
People are talking about P, the drug epidemic that is going to steal our children, fry our brains, hollow out Kiwi society from the inside. The use of P, or methamphetamine, took off like a rocket in 2002. By 2005, it had crossed all sections of society -- the party scene, the smart suburbs, the poor suburbs. Now it has become a fixture of the New Zealand landscape. Public enemy No. 1. more...

An excellent article and a must read if you are wanting to be better informed about "P", and it's addictive properties and how it affects young people's behaviour.

Parents under pressure suffer crisis of confidence

2008-04-14T13:41:00.004+12:00

NZ Herald, 12 April 2008
Grandmothers are watching in horror as their children turn into over-ambitious, competitive parents with pampered, demanding offspring, says a report into how women's experience of motherhood has changed over the generations. Baby-boomers who brought up children in a time when they say they were allowed to just "get on with it" claim their daughters are being put under huge pressure to rigidly control everything in their own babies' lives, from food intake and exercise to after-school Mandarin lessons. more...

If we accept the findings of this report it is an interesting exercise to take the next step and consider what the effect might be on children particularly when they hit the teen years. A lack of personal initiative? A tendency to equate activity and achievement with self worth? Perhaps the same lack of self confidence their mothers are said to be experiencing, particularly when they call short of parental expectations.

If so what are the messages that we need to be giving teens who grow up in such an environment? Certainly they need to learn to "play" - to relax and not to be so busy and constantly strive to perform. They need to find self worth in who they are in the eyes of God, not in what they achieve. They need to see that character is more important then competitions and achievement.

Genetics and bad parenting link to criminal behaviour

2008-04-14T13:19:00.003+12:00

NZ Herald, 11 April 2008
Whether a criminal teenager turns into a violent adult or grows out of crime may be related to how low his ears are set or the types of food he was given as a child. New Zealand research shows antisocial behaviour in young adults can be written into their genetic code, and made worse by bad parenting. Indicators that an antisocial child may turn into a life-long violent criminal can be picked up in kindergarten, says research summarised in this week's New Scientist magazine. more...

The article raises both theological and practical issues regarding the extent to which we are responsible for our own actions. To what degree is sin due to environmental matters and even biological? All of us would acknowledge the link between poor behaviour and poor parenting. This study however introduces a genetic element to behaviour.

Regardless of the extent to which we accept these findings, we can never reach the point of excusing behaviour based solely on parenting or genetics. While such factors may "predispose" they do not "predestine", particularly once we factor in the grace of God and the transforming power of the gospel.

Getting along with your senior pastor

2008-04-10T09:20:00.002+12:00

by Jeanne Mayo, Simply Youth Ministry
OK, I’ve got to admit you’re right. I’m married to my senior pastor, so it makes it pretty difficult for him to fire me as his youth leader! But most youth leaders don’t have that “inside tract.” I hear repeatedly from some of you how challenging it is to keep the relationship with your senior pastor from going south. So let me give you some of the advice I recently gave my own son during his first year in full-time youth ministry. Maybe it will strike a helpful chord with you as well... more

Ok so her situation IS a little unusual but nevertheless there is some great advice here.

The journey from victim to leader

2008-04-07T15:49:00.004+12:00

by Mark DeVries, Simply Youth Ministry
"This church just doesn’t support youth ministry." "These volunteers won’t support my vision." "Parents around here just don’t get it." "I’ve never seen kids busier than these kids." "I never have time for the things that matter most."
What do these statements have in common? They are all the words of youth workers who have resigned themselves to the unintentional role of victim. more...

Youth ministry can be difficult and the temptation is to develop a vitim mentality. Here are some great suggestions to help avoid this trap.

Blessed by failure

2008-04-07T13:52:00.004+12:00

Brandon Schmidt, Simply Youth Ministry
Sitting in the church parking lot, I glance at my time on my cell phone . . . again. The rental van is gassed up, tickets are purchased, and I am ready to take eight students and one volunteer to a basketball game. The volunteer has already arrived. The students were supposed to be there at 5 p.m. They never show. more...

All of us know the feeling of "failure" in youth ministry. Here are some helpful thoughts that we need reminding of in these times.

Faith finds a friend on new website

2008-04-07T12:14:00.004+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March, 2008
People with an interest in religion now have their own social networking website with the launch of FaithTrip.net. Like other social networking websites, FaithTrip allows users to share their views and experiences, through blogs, forums, video and music, with an emphasis being on religion and faith. The website was created in response to a recommendation from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) who wanted to see greater use of the internet in religion. more...

If you are wondering about new directions for youth ministry check out the article and the website. Such sites will not replace traditional youth programmes but there are another useful adjunct worthy of consideration.

Mobiles could help keep teenagers in line, study says

2008-04-07T11:53:00.002+12:00

stuff.co.nz, 5 April, 2008
In a study of 15 teenage girls, the investigated looked at the feasibility of using GPS-enabled cell phones to track adolescents' whereabouts when they were away from home or school. The researchers found that the girls were happy to take the phones with them wherever they went, and that the GPS accurately plotted their travels over one week. The point of the surveillance was not to pass on information to curious parents, however. Instead, the researchers hope to use the technology to study the health risks that teenagers typically face, and possibly to intervene. more...

Who knows where mobile technology will end? While the purpose of the technology is not to allow parents to track their teens, the article comments that "similar services are available for parents who want to keep tabs on their teenagers". What about similar services for youth workers? Imagine being able to GPS track your young people at night when on camp?

Surfing Lessons: Riding the Tricky Waves of Evangelism in a Postmodern Culture

2008-04-02T17:21:00.003+13:00

by Greg Stier, Journal of Student Ministries
When I began my first surfing lessons in Hawaii recently, I was surprised at how quickly I got up (on my first try) and rode my little two-foot wave toward the shore.Of course I wasn’t “hanging ten” for very long before crashing into the rocky shallows and sustaining a deep, fist-sized, hip bruise. Nevertheless, I felt victorious—and receiving my black-and-blue trophy was worth the salty pounding.You see, two main obstacles were stacked against me: 1) I may be the most physically uncoordinated guy on the planet; and 2) I can’t swim. more...

What happens when you bring together seven young people with wildly divergent faith views and start to talk about "god" and faith? Read this article and not only find out but see what Greg Stier has to say about evangelism in a postmodern context. He makes some interesting and profound observations - using surfing analogies to illustrate such as positioning the surfboard, maintaining "gnarly" balance, staying behind the "line" and keeping your eyes on the shore.

Help! I don't have enough time to do youth ministry

2008-03-27T12:16:00.004+13:00

by Jeanne Mayo, Simply Youth Ministry
When I was a young woman, my mom taught me a valuable lesson. “Jeanne Lynn,” she would say, “When you need something done, ask a busy person to do it.” Smilingly, I now think that this old adage must have been adopted by most senior pastors in America when looking for someone to work with the church youth group. “When you need youth ministry in the church to get done, ask a busy person in the congregation to do it!” more...

Some very good suggestions on how youth workers can manage their time better. Definitely worth a read.

Bimbo website for girls sparks outrage

2008-03-27T11:36:00.004+13:00

Stuff, 26 March 2008
An internet game which encourages young girls to mould their own virtual "bimbo" doll using diet pills and plastic surgery has infuriated British parents and health experts. The Miss Bimbo website describes itself as a "virtual fashion" game for girls aged between nine and 16, who compete to create "the hottest, coolest, most famous bimbo ever". Players start out with their blonde bimbo cartoon character dressed in just her underwear. They then have to earn "bimbo dollars" by either finding "a boyfriend to be your sugar daddy" or competing in beauty competitions so that they can afford food, clothes and outings to nightclubs. more...

Amazing the ideas people come up with to make a dollar. Naturally they see it as "harmless fun". Teens at least can be helped to critically examine the subtle and not so subtle messages of a site like this. Check it out yourself here. Maybe you can use it as a discussion starter for girls on the theme of self image.

Tossing aside the tract: Why pretty much everything I was taught about evangelism is wrong

2008-03-20T09:14:00.005+13:00

by Grant English, Journal of Student Ministries
We were at a student conference getting “trained” on how to witness to people.I sat and listened with my youth group. There were more than 600 students in the room. The guy up front was walking through a pamphlet I’d read at least a thousand times.“Do you know that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life?”I hate that question. It sounds eerily familiar to a former friend of mine who tried to sell me Amway... more

The author takes a swipe at the practise of reducing evangelism to taking someone through a tract. He offers four "disturbing realities" for advocates of such an approach and has some great advice for young people in his ministry who are sent out to do personal evangelism at the conference.

NZ teen binge drinking worse than US

2008-03-20T08:55:00.004+13:00

The Press, 20 March 2008
An editorial published this week in The Lancet medical journal said young people around the world were drinking more alcohol. Statistics in the article and surveys presented recently to the Canterbury District Health Board show binge drinking appears to be worse in the South Island than in the United States or Britain. more...

Binge drinking is of course a problem througout NZ and Australia. Some interesting statistics here along with causes and cures.

Children of a modern God

2008-03-19T10:37:00.006+13:00

The Age, 16 March 2008
The crowd surges to the stage with arms outstretched, mouths open and eyes closed in rapture. They form a tight, heaving mass in front of the young lead singer, who is bouncing around the stage near banners reading "Love God" and "forever". "I know it's hot, but my Jesus didn't know it was hot when he died on the cross for me," he screams to his sweaty flock, before singing that "I live to see this generation saved". more...

An intriguing look at religion, spirituality and faith amongst Australian young people. Lots of "meat" here and plenty of great quotes that help us to understand why the interest in spirituality among teens today, and the various forms this spirituality takes.

Out to change the world

2008-03-19T10:23:00.003+13:00

The Age, 15 March 2008
The young charity founder and 2020 delegate has chalked up an outstanding list of achievements. The big one he's still working on? Ending extreme poverty.
As cold calls go, the offer was irresistible. Hugh Evans was in his office in Melbourne a month ago, attending to the ordinary business of being a humanitarian, when the phone rang. The Prime Minister, no less, wanted a word. Evans was being summoned as a delegate to the 2020 summit. Then the kicker: an invitation to co-chair the youth summit in April, an event designed as a prelude to the main session. more...

Here is an inspiring article about what a young man with faith in God and determination to make a difference can do. Send it to all your young adults, or discuss it as a group.

Compare and compete

2008-03-19T09:30:00.003+13:00

by Jeanne Mayo, Simply Youth Ministry
I gave the sign a position of honor in one of my earliest youth ministry offices. The words still echo in my head often:“If you compare and compete, you’ll live in defeat.”You would think after nearly four decades in exciting, full-time youth ministry that I wouldn’t deal with those mind games any more. But in all honesty, I think we all struggle with painful comparison and competition occasionally in our lives. more...

This is a very honest article that looks at an issue we are seldom willing to admit to and confront. Included are four practical ways to overcome the tendency to compare and compete.

Maximizing the ministry of moments

2008-03-19T09:20:00.004+13:00

by Brian C. Berry, Simply Youth Ministry
There is a relationship between time spent and impact had. Just like you can’t get closer to your spouse by spending less time with him or her, you can’t change the fact that the more time you spend with a student or friend, the more impact you’ll have on one another. But this truth often leaves many (myself included) feeling guilty because there’s not enough time to meet with all the people you wish you could. more...

The author gives four very practical tips we can all adopt to ensure our tine with young people had maximum impact. This is not only helpful to youth workers but a good article to email on to parents of teens.

Government sets out to tackle suicide

2008-03-19T08:32:00.003+13:00

NZ Herald, 17 March 2008
The Government will today start a strategy to tackle suicide. As many as 500 people take their own lives each year and suicide is the second most common cause of death among New Zealand youth, with up to 10 deaths a week. The Suicide Prevention Action Plan is aimed at reducing those numbers. The launch - in Wellington this afternoon - will detail four initiatives, addressing student wellbeing, mental health education, the national depression campaign and the Lowdown, a website looking at youth depression. more...

A good introsuction to the NZ Governments Wellbeing initiative. Check out the website mentioned: http://www.thelowdown.co.nz/ and recommend it to your young people. As an interesting aside this site contains an interesting poll for young people: "What does Easter mean to you?". Family and friends (10%), religion (22%), Easter eggs and hot cross buns (16%), extra days off school/uni (32%), nothing (20%).

Cancer and teens - where we're failing

2008-03-19T08:22:00.002+13:00

NZ Herald, 17 March 2008
Surviving adolescence is enough of a challenge for most teens, without also having life-threatening cancer. Teenage cancer sufferers face weighty decisions, like whether to bank sperm or harvest eggs, because radiation could render them infertile. They have different social and emotional needs to adults and children with cancer, but our health system doesn't seem to share that view. more...

The article talks of CanTeens efforts to provide a dedicated youth facility for cancer sufferers. In the process it gives a fascinating insight into the needs of teenage cancer sufferers - some of which are needs relevant to any teenager facing extended time in hospital.

Extending your youth ministry to families

2008-03-13T12:47:00.002+13:00

by Mark DeVries, Simply Youth Ministry
When I moved to Nashville almost 10 years ago, my new position came with a curious title, "Associate Minister to Youth and Their Families." "I like it," I said to the senior minister. But underneath my agreement, I wondered, "How in the world and I supposed to do THAT? "We knew we wanted to build a youth ministry that went beyond the traditional programming that isolates kids from adults. We determined to build a strategy that focused first on undergirding the entire youth program with proactive Christian parents and a well-stocked cheering (and praying) section of mature Christian adults in the church. The emphasis was not on creating a different program but a different foundation. more...

Mark DeVries is a leader in the family-based approach to youth ministry. Here he discusses the benefits of a such a model and gives guildelines for implementation.

Rules of engagement: non-negotiables for connecting with post-high schoolers

2008-03-13T12:31:00.004+13:00

by Chuck Bomar, Simply Youth Ministry
In high school Landen was popular, had a serious girlfriend, was president of the Christian club, and was a very good athlete. This didn't just keep him busy; it kept him feeling good about himself, giving him a sense of identity. Now, about five months since graduation, Landen had outgrown his high school identity. His friends went in different directions, things didn't work out with his girlfriend, he was no longer dominating in sports, and he wasn't sure about vocational pursuits. He found himself wandering through life with a flood of questions needing answers. more...

For those working with university students this article contains a number of valuable insights that help us understand the needs of this age group along with practical ideas for meeting these needs such as helping them understand themselves and the pressures they face, and helping them to discover answers to the questions they have.

Transition: starting out right

2008-03-13T12:17:00.003+13:00

by Todd Szymczak, Simply Youth Ministry
Two years ago, I transitioned to a new ministry position. With the job change came a range of emotions—from excitement and enthusiasm to feeling overwhelmed. One day I would be enjoying the honeymoon, and the next day I would be wondering if God made His first mistake in history by leading me here.Whether you are entering your first ministry position or your third, every move is a transition and requires a time of observing, learning and adjusting. I often hear stories of people who had short-lived ministry positions simply because they did not allow time for strategic transition. more...

Very good advice for those starting out at a new church. Change is frequently threatening for people - take time to not only observe but to build relationships and gain credibility.

1 in 4 US teenage girls have had a sexually-transmitted disease: study

2008-03-13T11:21:00.004+13:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 13 March 2008
ABOUT one in four teenage girls in the United States - and nearly half of black girls - have at least one sexually transmitted disease, according to a new study. Those numbers translate into an estimated 3.2 million adolescent females infected with one of the four most common sexually transmitted diseases. Many of them may not even know they have a disease or that they are passing it to their sex partners. more...

While these are US statistics there is little reason to doubt these are reflected in New Zealand and Australia. These are figures are worth passsing on to young girls in your youth group.

Strife of the party: the Corey boy's legacy

2008-03-13T11:10:00.004+13:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 9 March 2008
Parents of teenagers have always panicked about what their children are up to. If it's not rampant oral sex and binge drinking, it's parties raging out of control, causing havoc in the neighbourhood. Corey Worthington (aka Delaney) has a lot to answer for. With his silly yellow sunglasses, nipple ring and failure to respect authority, even when being lectured on national television by the host of A Current Affair, the Melbourne teenager sprang to international prominence last year when he threw a party while his parents were away. more...

A glimpse into teenage party culture. Alarming to read the measures one parent took to safeguard their teen's party and still things got out of hand. The most intriguing quote in the article is, "But teenagers are no worse behaved or prone to gatecrashing than they ever were. They are just more sociable, because the internet and mobile phones have given them the ability to network with an even wider group of friends. This turbo-charged socialisation is a positive development for the future of humanity." Now there is an interesting topic for debate!

Generation why bother

2008-03-13T10:35:00.005+13:00

The Dominion Post, 8 March 2008
A Wellington rugby report says pupils are passive, lack commitment and are no longer go-getters. Are those aged under 25, and dubbed Gen Y, actually Generation Why Bother? But are any of those accusations likely to get teenagers shaking in their boots? Or are they more likely to raise a cynical eyebrow from the comfort of the couch and shrug off the complaint with an apathetic "Whatever", adding fuel to the adage that youth is wasted on the young? Or is the charge, in fact, an undeserved slur against the motivations of pupils aged between 14 and 18? more...

The article provides a sporting body's perspective on the characteristics of today's young people. I doubt that the drop in numbers playing rugby necessarily justify the observations, especially given that the number of young people playing soccer is increasing. Danyon Loader, double Olympic swimming champion makes the observation ""Not only [are they] different from when I was growing up, or the generations before me were growing up, but [it is] also different for each person. In order to work with them, it is a matter of tapping into what will get them in the water and off the couch."

The article ends with an insightful quote that could equally be applied to youth ministry: ""We actually have to understand these young people before we design programmes for them. If we think we're all going to have our children play sport like we used to, then we've got another think coming."

Private school teens binge drink more

2008-03-13T09:57:00.002+13:00

The Press, 13 March 2008
Teenagers from Christchurch's single-sex, fee-paying schools are particularly prone to binge drinking, surveys suggest. Investigations of hazardous drinking in Canterbury, South Canterbury and the West Coast have been presented to the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB). They paint what some members considered a concerning picture of youth drinking culture. more...

According to the article, "one in three Canterbury teenagers is consuming at least five alcoholic drinks at a time" with those in private schools consuming proportionately more because of greater access to money students enjoy. Presumably these figures are reflective of many areas in NZ.

'Big talk' on sex is not enough

2008-03-13T09:41:00.003+13:00

NZ Herald, 7 March 2008
Parents should consider having repeated discussions with their children about many aspects of sex instead of one "big talk" on impersonal topics linked to sexuality such as puberty, American researchers say. "Parents who take a checklist approach to broadening their sexual discussion with their children are unlikely to have as great an influence ... as parents who introduce new sexual topics and then develop them through repeated discussions," said their report published in the journal Pediatrics. more...

Do "broader" sexual discussions between young people and their parents lead them to be more likely or less likely to experiment? This research on which this article is based argues the latter but raises further questions for me. The article states "The more parents talked with their children, the closer their relationships." Could it not also be argued that the closer the relationship the more parents talked with their children? And the closer the relationship the less likely young people are to become involved sexually at a younger age?

Angst-ridden teens have different brain structures: study

2008-03-04T10:56:00.003+13:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 26 February 2008
A study published Monday found that teens who regularly get into fights with their parents have significantly different brain structures than their more laid-back peers. Australian researchers mapped the brains of some 137 early teens and then videotaped them during "problem solving" conversations with their parents about disagreements over issues like homework, bedtimes, or Internet and mobile phone use. "What we found was there was actually a relationship between the size and the structure of the various parts of the brain and the way the kids behave in these interactions," said lead researcher Nicholas Allen of the University of Melbourne... more

In relation to adolescent development, what's particularly interesting is the belief that the emotions in these young people are developing much faster than are the parts of the brain that help them to manage those emotions.

Generation Y ditches TV for net

2008-03-04T10:41:00.004+13:00

NZ Herald, 26 February 2008
Surfing the web is replacing television as the medium of choice for young adults, according to a new overseas survey. The survey, commissioned by social networking website MySpace and conducted by UK-based analyst The Future Laboratory, found a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds had reduced their television watching in favour of social networking on the web... more

As if you needed it, some hard evidence that young people are looking increasinly to the internet for entertainment, a trend that looks set to continue with more TV programmes available for download.

Being there for the teens in trouble

2008-03-04T10:15:00.003+13:00

NZ Herald, 9 February 2008
When trouble breaks out on the streets of South Auckland, Dr John Newman is at the centre of the system that tries to pick up the pieces.As clinical director of Middlemore Hospital's Centre for Youth Health, he sees the kids who get referred for addictions, mental health issues and simply being in need of care and protection. Often he sees youngsters who have no effective family... more

An article that examines the value of mentoring - lots of inspiring stories to reflect on.

Textonyms, adaptonyms and cellodromes

2008-03-04T09:55:00.002+13:00

NZ Herald, 7 February 2008
R U cycle? Book! Fancy an adds down the sub? There's a gr8 new carnage. It may look like gobbledegook, but the most streetwise of teenagers would have no trouble translating and responding to it in kind. A new language is being developed by mobile phone-addicted kids based on the predictive text of their treasured handsets... more

Help for those of us struggling to stay in touch with techno-lingo!

Oh boy - answers on teen anger

2008-03-04T09:43:00.004+13:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 9 February 2008
After years of trial and error, a psychologist and author says he has a way to bring angry teenage boys back to civility - gently. Michael Currie was conducting a meeting for aggressive teenage boys at a Newcastle high school about two years ago when things got out of control. This fact alone was hardly unusual given Currie, who approaches school principals with the plea "give me all your problematic angry boys" and often cops a degree of suspicion in return. The episode is only memorable because of Currie's handling or, more accurately, his mishandling of it... more

Currie has a number of useful suggestions. He advocate dealing with adolescent anger "by an understanding of the nature of anger and its genesis, by taking an authoritative but not authoritarian stance, by drawing out knowledge implicit in the boy's speech, and by intervening where necessary following a set of principles rather than rigid rules"

Still Crazy after All These Years

2008-03-03T23:07:00.004+13:00

by Dick Tubbs (Journal of Student Ministries)
“He’s how old?” According to one of my future “stars,” that was his reaction when his dad came home and announced my hiring to my present position. That was twelve years ago, and I was just shy of 50 at the time. Since I was a kid myself when I started working with kids, next summer will mark my 46th year, as volunteer and professional, with younger folks. And I still love it... more

Subtitled "Lessons from almost half a century of youth ministry" there is a lot of great advice from a true youth ministry veteren. Well worth a read.

Avoiding Burnout

2008-03-03T22:44:00.003+13:00

by Becky Jackson (Journal of Student Ministries)
Longevity-something every rookie youth pastor strives to achieve in only one church during his or her lifetime.Our first jobs often find ourselves dreaming of seeing the toddlers graduate from high school during the time we’re there. We often look to the veterans-the Duffy Robbinses and the Walt Marcums of the world-and remain in awe of them, wanting to find out exactly what they did to maintain their longevity in youth ministry... more

This article contains a number of practical suggestions for avoiding burnout such as balance, priorities, friendships and rest.

Why I’m Not Going Back to that Youth Group

2008-03-03T17:29:00.009+13:00

by Alec McKee - 13 years old (Journal of Student Ministries)
Have you ever noticed how good memories always stick to your mind like glue? It feels like they are the strongest memories you have. But they aren’t. Bad memories are stronger. That’s why I’ll never forget my experience with that youth group...more

Take a look at this insiders look at youth ministry through the eyes of a 13 year old. How different is your youth group when it comes to making newcomers feel welcome?

Those teens who walk with God tend to have a big helping heart, too

2008-03-03T17:17:00.007+13:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 27 January 2008
Almost a third of Australian teenagers do not have any religious beliefs, new research has revealed. And academics from Monash University and the Australian Catholic University found those with serious spiritual and religious beliefs were likely to donate more money, participate more in their communities and be more concerned about their society than their non-religious counterparts... more

A telling comment at the end of the article notes that "A University of Queensland study found that moving away from traditional beliefs to "trendy", self-focused religions was not making young adults happier."

Heavy drinking tied to heart risks later

2008-03-03T17:05:00.006+13:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 26 January 2008
People who drink heavily in their youth may have a higher risk of developing a collection of risk factors for heart disease and stroke, new research suggests.In a study that examined the lifetime drinking habits of more than 2,800 adults, researchers found that those who drank heavily in their teens and young adulthood were more likely to have metabolic syndrome than those who drank more moderately throughout adulthood...more

Some interesting stats and facts about the dangers of alcohol. Worth reading and passing this information on to your young people.

News comment: Teen boasts five sexual partners in a night

2007-08-29T18:27:00.000+12:00

East And Bays Courier, 22 August 2007
"She's 15, has been sexually active since she was 13, admits to having had an abortion and to having unprotected sex with five boys in one night. Her boyfriend found out from friends she told. He wasn't one of the five. She finds it funny, saying she is young and should be able to 'be young', and also says she was drunk. Her now ex-boyfriend is worried about sexually transmitted disease. Her five other partners may never think to have a check-up. This girl is real." more...

There is a lot of valuable insights in this article for young people - youth workers may even want to use at least some of it (being age appropriate) with their young people - either to pass the information on or to use it as the basis for discussion. It not only talks about the physical dangers - sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy - but also the psychological damage that occurs when young people become sexually active.

News comment: Parents urged to listen to teens

2007-08-29T18:11:00.000+12:00

Eastern Courier, 20 August 2007
"School counsellors arming students with strategies to deal with teenage growing pains say parents need to get more involved. A number of teenagers lack adult mentors in their life and turn to their peers for advice only to get mixed messages, says Botany Secondary College guidance counsellor Barbara Divehall. "So many families haven't time to talk to one another," she says. "Some have lost the art of just listening." more...

Some good advice here and encouragement over the important role youth workers can play as role models for young people. The lack of such people won't stop young people seeking advice from their peers, but it may provide wisdom and balance when they receive bad advice.

But for this to happen we need to cultivate communication with our teens. The charge that many families don't have time to talk to each other may be levelled at us as youth workers too. We can be so busy planning programmes that we fail to plan "down time" - those times where we can just hang out with our young people and talk with them in non-programme settings. Often the time before or after a youth programme can be at least as valuable as the programme itself. It's at these times we are available to relate and to listen, letting young people know we are interested in them as people and not just attendees at a programme or members of a group.

Training Tips - Small Groups: Part 4

2007-08-27T21:49:00.000+12:00

The fourth criteria I use for assessing my effectiveness as a small group leader is Vulnerability. Here the question I ask myself is, "Did discussion go beyond the superficial to the deep", or "Did people share from the heart and not just the head?"

The key to this is firstly to ask deeper questions - not at the commencement of the study but at a point at which the group has become more relaxed an entered into discussion. It can be discouraging at times. Due in part to still developing ability to think abstractly, girls tend to not talk about feelings until about 13; boys not until 15. Yet is is still good for us to encourage them to grapple with these questions as it teaches them that faith is not about head knowledge but is about personal vulnerability and transformation.

A second strategy is to work to create a safe" environment where young people feel comfortable sharing at depth. Be quick to warn and correct any who might laugh at or make fun of another's personal contribution, and clearly state that such behaviour has no place in your group.

Finally, if young people won't share at depth show them how. Share about some of your own struggles but ensure what you share is appropriate and easy for them to understand.

News comment: Teenage work ethic alive and kicking

2007-08-27T21:36:00.000+12:00

Sydney Morning Herald, 25 August 2007
"Australia is putting its teenagers to work. They might not be down mines or up chimneys as in days of yore, but they are serving behind shop counters and waiting on cafe tables in greater numbers than ever. A report by the United States Department of Labour, comparing international labour force data, says that Australia has more teens in the workforce than any other developed country." more...

Further to the previous article, this one highlights concern over the high numbers noting that they reflect the positive economic position that encourages young people to leave school at a younger age in order to earn quick money, even at the expense of their long term prospects. If this is true it illustrates not only materialism but a short term view of the future coupled with (misplaced) optimism, characteristics common to many young people.

News comment: Kiwi teenagers have no fear of hard work

2007-08-27T19:57:00.000+12:00

NZ Herald, 26 August 2007
"Don't scoff, it's true - young Kiwis are working like never before. While today's teenagers have a reputation as rude and lazy, new research suggests they're not the slackers their elders would have you believe. A new report by the United States Department of Labour, comparing international labour force data, shows New Zealand has one of the highest rates in the world for the number of teenagers in the workforce." more...

There are some interesting figures regarding employment numbers for youth in New Zealand, Australia* and other countries. However the spin that the "teenagers have no fear of hard work" cannot necessarily be deduced from the figures. "Teenagers willing to work to buy what they want" is possibly more accurate!

(The accompanying article from the Sydney Morning Herald elaborates further on the Australian situation.)

Training Tips - Small Groups: Part 3

2007-07-30T22:21:00.000+12:00

The third criteria I use for assessing my effectiveness as a small group leader is Interaction. Here the question I ask myself is, "Did discussion take place with minimal involvement from me, the leader?"

I imagine I'm holding a ball of string. I pose the opening question, hold on to the string and pass the ball to the next person to speak who in turns holds a piece of string and passes the ball to the person to speak after them. At the end of the session what pattern is formed? One which shows string constantly passing back and forward between me and each group member, or something resembling a spider web where young people are contributing one after another?

In order to accomplish this ensure everyone sits in a circle (or at least a semi circle) and can see everyone else. This will encourage sharing between group members. I have found that having everyone sitting on seats at the same level promotes equal sharing.

Next, resist the urge to comment on everyone’s contribution. Encourage the group to respond to what someone has said, initially by simply asking “What do others think?” Over time this simply becomes “Uh huh” then silence, that invites a response.

News comment: Switching off the box to control kids' obesity

2007-07-30T22:03:00.001+12:00

NZ Herald 29 July 2007
"School-based lessons on how not to watch television and swipe card activated time-control monitors on the TV are being considered as ways of tackling childhood obesity. The Government has forked out $150,000 for researchers to look at ways to get kids off couches. Suggested methods include swipe cards to deactivate TVs and "intervention lessons" at school. Yet some childhood obesity experts are doubtful the measures will work. They say once a child has a TV habit, it's extremely difficult to break." more...

In an internet age the issue of too much TV is still a relevant one. According to this article some adolescents watched TV up to 35 hours a week. Obesity is only part of the problem. TV is a passive medium and breeds passivity in young people, not to mention exposure to harmful ideas. In youth ministry we can tackle it on a number of fronts.

- Encourage a "TV fast". Studies show that a significant break (at least a week) from TV causes it to lose some of it's attraction, particularly when replaced with other enjoyable but less damaging pursuits.

- Teach discernment. Give young people the tools to actively reflect critically on the TV programmes they do watch and to not passively absorb their ideas.

- Limit viewing. The article suggests swipe cards as a solution but we can challenge our young people to set a limit on how much they watch each week. That will encourage them to be selective in what they watch rather than simply watching out of habit.

- Avoid overeating. The article links TV watching with eating. A challenge for those with a weight problem is to never eat and watch TV at the same time.

Book review: Contemplative Youth Ministry - by Mark Yaconelli

2007-07-18T10:41:00.000+12:00

“Contemplative youth ministry? That’s using silence, meditation, candles and incense isn’t it?”

If that was your first thoughts on seeing the title of this book, you are not alone. But that is NOT what this book is primarily about. Yes it may lead to programmes that includes these elements but as the book itself shows in the final case studies, it may also lead to baking, skateboarding and bowling! You see this book is not about programmes but about philosophy.

Throughout its pages the author outlines a whole philosophical approach to youth ministry - a philosophy that is not primarily about leaders or young people determining what should happen within a youth ministry. Instead it emphasises a contemplative approach among leadership that seeks to discover where the Spirit of God is already at work in the lives of young people and then to follow His Spirit in the process of discipling them.

Yaconelli begins by arguing that the lack of effective youth ministry can be put down to three things:
- We don’t know how to be with kids
- We don’t know how to be with ourselves
- We don’t know how to be with God.

What follows is both a call and a method to accomplishing all three. It covers practical issues such as, how to start a ministry from scratch, how to recruit a leadership team, how to develop community among leaders and how to discern evidence of God at work in the lives of teens.

This is not a book for those looking for programming ideas – contemplative or otherwise. It is for those leaders caught in a programming trap who sense there is a missing “God” dimension in what they do. It is for leaders looking for signposts that will lead them into a deeper walk with God and a closer walk with their young people. It is for leaders willing to go back to basics and re-evaluate their whole approach to youth ministry.

As such it is an outstanding book and one I highly recommend.

News comment: Gyms taking on kids

2007-07-16T12:03:00.000+12:00

NZ Herald, 15 July 2007
"Children as young as 7 are trading toys for treadmills and Barbies for barbells, clocking up hours with their own personal trainers. Only in America, right? Wrong. More Kiwi parents are spending thousands on expensive one-on-one fitness sessions for their children, industry experts told the Herald on Sunday. They are either desperate to banish extra weight and the threat of obesity-related disease, or they want their child to excel at sport." more...

Here's an article to concern us on a number of accounts. It has to do with the messages parents send their children - messages about what really is important in life. But it causes me to reflect on what a Christian response is to fitness and sport.

Undoubtedly sport has a lot to commend it. It can teach young people important qualities like self discipline and team work. Yet sport can easily develop into a "god" - something that becomes all consuming as young people (and parents through their young people) pursue success at great cost.

Yes we should encourage our young people to play sport and yes, in youth ministry we can celebrate their successes. But what is our response when we see sport taking over church and youth group attendance? What do we say when we see our young people spending hours at training and in the gym while their spiritual disciplines suffer? Does an emphasis on physical pursuit harm an emphasis on spiritual pursuit?

As for fitness, the issue is that a good thing can be taken to excess and end up causing harm. As psychologist Sara Chatwin notes in the article

"Parents should think twice before hiring a personal trainer. There was a fine line between healthy encouragement and pressure. Children could become hyper-sensitive to their image or weight, she said, which could develop into resentment or even anorexia."

News Comment: Gang culture article is 'wake-up call' for NZ

2007-07-16T11:44:00.000+12:00

NZ Herald, 14 July 2007
"New Zealand's gang problem has been laid out for all the world to see, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, a leading expert says. Jarrod Gilbert has spent years studying New Zealand gangs for his university thesis, including spending time inside the organisations, and he shared his knowledge with Time magazine's South Pacific edition. "It's an underside of New Zealand society that I don't think we want to confront . . ," Mr Gilbert said." more...

It will be good to check out the full article when it comes online. While it is easy to simply condemn those in gangs, there is an element within society that affirms some of the violent mentality we see portrayed in the gang culture, such as intimidatory hakas and a sports team called the Warriors.

That aside, it would be good to understand more fully the attraction of gangs for the young. What unmet needs do they fulfil? What do they offer the young? Perhaps the answers to these questions would help us improve the effectiveness of youth ministries operating in areas where gang problems occur.

News Comment: Lynette Hutson: Bingeing a dire rite of passage

2007-07-16T11:18:00.000+12:00

NZ Herald, 12 July 2007
"The drinking habits of our young people have come to the fore lately because of the Young Farmers' "last man standing" competition, since abandoned, and regular alcohol-related hospital admissions and parties that get out of control. We are at a point where youth binge-drinking is socially acceptable and is even a rite of passage for many young New Zealanders. We have all heard stories about crazy, drunken nights, out-of-control parties and the chaos and idiotic acts that are retold on the hungover days that follow. This behaviour seems to be embedded in Kiwi culture." more...

There is no doubt that the real issue surrounding alcohol abuse is a cultural one, and what needs to happen for this to change is for binge drinking to become socially unacceptable, in much the same way as smoking has. It is interesting to read what Lynette Hutson from the Salvation Army recommends:

"First, the Government should take a tougher approach in the regulations that govern alcohol promotion. Like any advertising, that for alcohol is aimed at increased sales. Such advertising is one of the ways in which drinking is promoted as being the socially desirable norm. It is inevitable that alcohol advertising is reaching children and teenagers under the age of 18. Second, Parliament should reconsider raising the drinking age to 20. That would not only make it tougher for young people to legally procure alcohol but would send a strong message that New Zealand is taking the problem of youth drinking seriously."

Seems like good advice. What can we do? Having a youth ministry that is counter cultural and demonstrates that there are more constructive ways to both socialise and have fun, is only part of the solution. We must help young people critically engage with what is a cultural norm for many of their peers and uncover its causes. Not until we get them asking the "why?" questions surrounding alcohol abuse will we help them discover the sort of answers that will work, not only for them, but for those they mix with.

Resource Review: The Fight

2007-07-05T15:24:00.000+12:00

The Fight is a resource for guys (young or old) to use either individually or as part of a group in order to work toward sexual freedom and purity. Developed in Australia by Adrian Rowse, it contains many excellent insights all presented in a challenging yet sensitive manner. It consists of a DVD and a “FightPlan” booklet along with a CD of original songs all addressing the theme of sexual purity and freedom. It is well packaged and presented and obviously designed to have visual appeal to the young. The idea behind this resource is that each day for a 30 day period the young person watches the day’s DVD clip and reflects upon what is written in the booklet and the questions that are posed each day. They can work on it individually or meet together with other guys to discuss the material.

This is not a quick “Abstinence Pledge” programme. Instead it takes a much slower more measured approach in order to get to the heart of the issue, dealing with the problem of porn and building up the person’s relationship with God. DVD sessions consist either of Adrian talking or of a panel of three other young adult men who talk about their own journey out of pornography. These interviews are excellent! They are very real and each person describes their struggle in a very moving and authentic way.

The programme begins by looking at our sex saturated society then takes a number of days to look at the problem of pornography and strategies to find freedom. These include accountability, understanding root issues and ways to overcome temptation. It also takes the time to assure people of God’s grace and forgiveness amidst our failures. It then moves on to strategies for developing a deeper walk with God including the value of stillness and ways to find God in our everyday lives. Finally, after looking at still more ways to remain free, the booklet exhorts the reader to assist others to find the same freedom they themselves have begun to experience.

I was impressed with this resource and highly recommend it. It does not attempt to put a band aid over the problem or use guilt as a motivator. It doesn’t exhort young people to a purity pledge and then leave them without the resources to stick to it. It’s tone is not one of criticism but compassion. Yet it doesn’t soft pedal either – it’s a tough programme for those who commit to see it though.

For more information including how to order the material go to http://www.thefight.com.au/ There is also information her for pastors and leaders on how to best use this resource. If you want to peruse a copy before buying contact me.

Training Tips - Small Groups: Part 2

2007-07-01T22:27:00.000+12:00

The second criteria I use for assessing my effectiveness as a small group leader is Direction. Here the question I ask myself is, "Did the group stay on track and was God allowed to guide, convict and comfort?"

Young people can be great at sidetracks! At times they come up with a joke to tell or want to talk about a movie they saw the night before. Sometimes a story or a joke from a young person can “loosen up” a quiet group and make them more ready to share when you direct them back to the topic. Other times is can destroy the moment. Learn to discern the difference before the sidetrack takes hold.

Note that "direction" does not mean "I asked all the questions in my study guide". We may spend hours preparing our study material but we should always be willing to lay it aside the moment we sense God leading in a new direction. Try to listen to His voice and let him fulfil His agenda for the group time, remembering it may be different from yours. Begin the group time by inviting Him to lead. When a need is shared stop and deal with the need straight away. Spend time in prayer - don't say, "We'll prayer about that in the prayer time at the end" - you might just miss the moment.

In summary, see God as the small group leader and learn to follow His direction.

(These notes are taken from the TARGET7 Training Course)

News Comment: Teens prey to Skype stalkers

2007-07-01T21:45:00.000+12:00

The Press, 30 June 2007
"International child predators are using the popular internet site Skype to contact impressionable teenagers, engage them in cyber-sex, and "groom" them for offline meetings.
Parents are being advised not to allow their teenagers to use webcams in their bedrooms as concern mounts over the abuse of the Skype site. A virtual trap set by The Press garnered immediate results on Thursday when a profile purporting to be that of a 15-year-old girl was established on the site." more...

Communication via webcams is not new - teens have been able to do this through instant messenger services for quite some time. Skype simply provides another avenue to communicate.

Technologically savvy teens and technologically naive or ignorant parents is not a good mix. The "no webcams in the bedroom" rule is a good one - most recommend no computers in the bedroom at all, which is even better except that increasingly young people need computers to do homework and do so in the bedroom. Laptops (some of which have webcams built in) are increasingly popular as is wireless broadband - high speed internet access anywhere in the house!

As youth leaders we need to help parents be aware of the risks and dangers of unsupervised internet access - perhaps through parent's newsletters. Windows Vista has improved parental controls - the trick is teaching parents how to use these and hoping teens don't find ways to work around them.

News Comment: Brain tests discover teen driver failings

2007-07-01T21:18:00.000+12:00

NZ Herald, 30 June 2007
"Ground-breaking research on teenage drivers has "huge" implications for their training and licensing, says a trustee of the AA Driver Education Foundation. Peter Sheppard says teenage drivers should be required to spend longer under supervision before being allowed to drive alone. This follows research by psychologists at Waikato University into overseas findings that teenagers' brains are not sufficiently developed to adequately assess and respond to risk." more...

Here is more research that gives insight into the teenage brain. I've commented on this before in relation to Christian education but here the focus is on driving, It raises the issue of using younger drivers as part of youth events. In theory a young person in NZ can gain a full licence at 17 - in reality for most its closer to 18. But while our 18 year olds may be legally allowed to carry passengers this article highlights some of the risks. As youth leaders we need to be aware we share that risk when we let them transport other parents' children during youth activities.

I urge all youth ministries to develop a "driver's policy" and to do so in consultation with parents - both because we need to hear their views and also because it lets them know this is an issue we take seriously. It should cover the age of approved drivers and procedures for approving and disqualifying drivers. It should clearly outline expectations and consequences if these expectations are not fulfilled.

Has anyone out there already developed one and would be willing to share an outline?

News comment: UK 'purity ring' schoolgirl takes fight to High Court

2007-06-25T20:55:00.000+12:00

Reuters, 23 June 2007
"A teenage schoolgirl was to appeal to the High Court to overturn a ban on her wearing a "purity ring" at school to symbolise her decision to abstain from sex before marriage. Lydia Playfoot, 16, from West Sussex, says the silver ring is an expression of her faith and should be exempt from the school's rules on wearing jewellery. "It is really important to me because in the Bible it says we should do this," she told BBC radio. "Muslims are allowed to wear headscarves and other faiths can wear bangles and other types of jewellery. It feels like Christians are being discriminated against." more...

This article raises many interesting questions concerning religious freedom and the issue of obeying those in authority vs. obeying God. What would you advise a young person in your youth ministry to do? Should she simply accept this as a school rule and comply? How relevant is the treatment of other faiths to all this? Is this she obliged to stand up for something her faith doesn't demand in any generally binding sense? Should she be taking her case to the high court or should she simply obey under protest? If she can wear the ring then in this age of personal spirituality anyone could declare their jewellery to have personal spiritual significance and demand the right to wear it. Where do you draw the line? Then again the school has already made exemptions for other faiths so why not Christianity? Her father is quoted as saying that the decision of the school is part of a "wider cultural trend towards Christians being "silenced". " What do you think?

These are interesting questions - perhaps to be tackled with your teenagers. I can see both sides of the debate but in the end I guess it's a matter on conscience. If she believes this is a stand God wants her to take then take it she must. What do you think?

Training Tip: Small groups - Part 1

2007-06-19T23:04:00.000+12:00

Many of us lead small groups and soon realise that it's not as easy as it looks! The first step in being an effective leader is found in the ability to critique oneself. Over the coming weeks I will present six criteria I use to measure how things have gone in my own small group along with suggestions on how to improve.

My first criteria is involvement. I ask myself, "Did each person contribute at a level at which they felt comfortable?" This does not mean that every person shares the same amount or I will wind up constantly trying to shut the extroverts up and pressure the introverts to share when they are not ready. Some suggestions as to how to do this are:

1. Discourage the more talkative ones from dominating by saying things like, “What do others think about what _______ just said?”

2. Give space to the introverts to contribute by saying “Is there anyone else who has something to add before we move on to the next question?”

3. Ask a question and explain that you’ll go round the group and everyone will have the chance to give an answer. People are allowed to pass. That limits the talkative ones and gives room for the quieter ones to contribute without feeling pressured.

(These notes are taken from the TARGET7 Training Course)