Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

This week, the WCA staff are enjoying some time with our friends and family. We'll be back on January 2, 2007.

Happy New Year!
WCA Student Ministry Team

Teens, internet & sex

It's pretty much official. The internet and it's functions (message boards, chat rooms, IM, PM, Text, etc) dominate our teens communication preferences. A recent study found that teens spend over 30 minutes a day online (that's got to be a really low number). Moreover, instant messaging is the most common way that kids "hang out" and relieve boredom. Why this may or may not be new information, what seems to be a never-ending subject is the amount of sexual communication; both wanted and unwanted. The study by the National Science Foundation has found "Many teens are routinely exposed to pornography and sexual advances from strangers on the Internet whether they seek it or not..."

I don't know about the rest of you, but this information certainly isn't new, but I beg the question, when will this end? Can it end?

In Florida, they've recently passed a law that doesn't allow a sexual predator to reside within 1000 feet of any school, park, daycare or playground. Doesn't it seem that if the government can and will intervene locally to keep our kids safe, that they would online as well?

What's equally disturbing is that the internet is providing a haven of anonymous conversations that would otherwise be directed to friends and better yet, family. Separate findings mentioned in this article detail the extent which teens seek advice on sex and relationships from anonymous peers on the web — intentionally keeping their parents out of the loop. While the government can't control what's happening in our own households, parents can.

So where is loop hole here? Is this parenting style? Is this the students? A combination of both? Is there anything that we, as youth leaders, can do to lead students correctly in this? When do we cross the boundaries of parental roles? How can we tackle this proactively?

Lazy Teens?

In case you're wondering why teens are lousy at chores. Researchers blame it on their inability to multitask. Now, I will be the first to admit that as I grow older, my ability to multitask gets stronger, but this might be a far stretch. However, the good news is, the study promises that they'll grow out of it.

What were you thinking?

How many times have you looked at one of your students and wondered, "What the heck were they thinking?" Well, it turns out that they actually were thinking, and in fact, they probably considered the consequences; even to a degree greater than what actually happened. That still begs the question of why? Maybe this will help explain some things.

"A new study finds teens spend more time weighing risk than adults and in fact often overestimate the odds of a bad outcome. But the desire for acceptance among peers wins out in the decision-making process of a young mind." (Yahoo.com) The power of peer pressure is absolutely unbelievable.

Just for fun, I thought we could post comments about some of the funnier things that have happened to one of your students recently. Ready. Set. Go!

Only 5% purity

An alarming study was released yesterday on premarital sex. If you haven't heard or read about it yet, please GO HERE now.

The gist of it is, over nine out of ten people have had sex before marriage; 95% to be exact. I don't know about you, but this makes me rethink everything. It's one thing if the rate was 60%. Somehow, I could convince myself that a large majority of my students fell into the remaining 40%. But, it's not. It's only 5%. 5%! Come on! The moral purity of our culture is on a radical and alarming rate of decline. And to think that our students are in the thick of it should challenge all of our assumptions. What assumptions are you challenging?

Left Behind?

If you've been around this blog much, you've probably noticed that we reference YPulse.com from time to time. We like Anastasia (it's her blog) and think that she's got a good pulse on what's going on with the youth that we are all so affectionate about.

In a recent article at HuffingtonPost.com, she suggests that the use of military terms in the Christian movement, especially in the youth culture (think Battle Cry), is over the top and even repulsive to nonbelivers (like herself). Citing references like the formerly mentioned Battle Cry, Stephen Baldwin's Livin' It and a Left Behind video game, she writes, "I believe that progressive youth ministries need to proactively work to demilitarize the language being used to reach young people and preach a version of their religion that is inclusive and respectful of diversity..."

One comment that was left (there are over 50) said, "Please don't confuse the use of militaristic metaphors (the Bible is full of 'em, as well as athletic, legal, fiscal, and other ones) with the reconstructionist paradigm of the "religious right." Another suggested "Most of these sound an awful lot like Hitlerjugend rallies. Maybe they're afraid when teens learn to think for themselves, they might figure out what a load of crap they're being sold (and I do mean sold)."

So where do we stand with this? The fact is, Barna states that over 60% of our current kids won't be active in the church by the age of 30. Folks, regardless of whether you believe her opinions or not, the facts are still the facts. Where is the disconnect from the foundation that's laid during the youth group years and the disenchantment of the twenties?

The state, versus the church?

From time to time, situations come up that make us wonder if the whole idea of church and state should permanently be renamed, state versus the church. It seems that nine times out of ten, this imaginary line gets crossed and Christians are left with their hands raised, wondering what they did wrong. Somehow, the "state" has become line monitor and Christian's are left only defending. So why? Why are people so sensitive to our faith? Why is it appropriate to make fun of our faith but not those of other religions like Catholicism and Muslims?

So what has happened to Christianity?

Over at cnn.com Jay Bakker, son of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner, and one of his church staff members, wrote an interesting article on what he thinks has happened to Christianity.

Talkback: Do you think he's right?

10 Easy Steps to Grow Your Youth Group?

The legacy that Mike Yaconelli has left us runs deep into the heart of youth ministry today. Check out this top ten list (really 11) about youth group growth from Mike. I'm sure that you'll find it useful and intriguing. But, please note: READ CAREFULLY!

Let's talk about it... What are your thoughts on the list noted above?

Super Early Bird Discount expires on 12/21

If you haven't registered for the Shift Conference yet, you'll want to now. Starting 12/22, you'll have to pay an extra $20 to go to the conference. Why wait? Sign up now and keep the $20.

So...are you going? If not, why?

Teen Mania Observed...

There's an interesting article over at the Dallas Observer about Ron Luce, Teen Mania and their Battle Cry movement. The point? We're not really sure what the writer was trying to do with this piece. However, it's certain that her opinion is that it's fundamentalist and a bit weird. We might call that set apart. The "world" would call it "extreme." Ah! The constant conversation about which is better? Being a separatists, conformists or a transformists. Not sure what those mean? Then you must read A Journey Towards Relevance.

Are we friends? Really?

If you've had your run at Friendster or MySpace, you've certainly had to ask the question, "Do I want to be their friend?" or even more complicated, "Who should be on my top 8?" Well, the psychology of what a "friend" is has changed. We know that. But now, finally, one guy has written a lengthy report on this very topic. It's quite interesting but we must warn you that there is some vulgar language. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Online gaming as addictive as drugs?

The International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University (in the UK) recently discovered that teens who participate in online gaming for long periods of time can show the same signs of addiction as drug users and gamblers. — What do you mean? I can quit any time!

Do you know about "Pro-Ana?"

The internet offers a wide array of content. Some that's helpful, and some that can do more harm than good. A recent study, posted on Fox.com, states that teens are using pro-anorexia, or "pro-ana" sites to get ideas on how to achieve that "perfect" body. It's sad, but true. The challenge? Know what your students are influenced by and be proactive.

Content is still king...

Trendwatching.com is a consumer trends firm that keeps their eye on, well, trends. That being said, their December briefing is all about how this generation is turning into a content = cash generation. In brief, you make it, you could make money from it. The revolution has changed, again, and now you can have a piece of the cash-pie. Would you like Franklin’s or Washington’s with your content?

Thru the Bible...2006 style

Perhaps you've heard the radio spot, "Thru the Bible" sometime in your life. If not, it's pretty self-explanatory. But that's not the point.

David Plotz is Slate.com's deputy editor and is a self-admitted, "proud" but never a "terribly observant" Jew. After picking up the Torah during a extended length ceremony, he began to read a story in Genesis 34 that he hadn't known of before. Long story short, he's decided to read through the Bible this year and blog about it along the way. Keep in mind that his perspective isn't "Christian" but it'll help you see how people digest the Bible. At the very least, you might laugh out loud You can read more about it here. Or, get the whole scoop here.

News & Blog Friday

Believe it or not, there is a lot of talk on the web about student ministry. From news to blogs, it's happening all day long. Here are just a few items that we found noteworthy:

• Interview with Tony Jones, author of Postmodern Youth Ministry

• A great video interview by Rob Bell via PremierTV from the UK.

• This will just make you laugh, or at least smirk.

• To disciple or babysit? One bloggers thoughts on programmatic versus disciple based youth ministries. We happen to agree. In fact, so much so that one of our main sessions is called A Leader's Guide to Preparing for the Long Haul. It deals with this very topic.

• A GREAT looking youth website. OH! And did we mention, that the youth pastor there (Judah Smith) is speaking on the impact of technology and ministry? Seriously...why haven't you signed up yet?

And finally...

• "Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." (Karen Kaiser Clark )