New Resource

I think I'm going to use this space to promote some resources that we have here at the PRC on topics that I think we ought to be addressing with our youth. I just finished a short, 3-week unit on sexuality with my junior high kids in my home congregation. I told the kids that the reason I was really all worked up about teaching on this topic is because I believe that this discussion should be taking place in their faith community. I think sexuality and relationships are theological topics. I think the kids need to hear Christian adults in their own communities talk about these things. I think the kids need to know that these Christian adults who love them and care for them and are close to them are willing and eager to talk to them about anything.

There are other topics that I think are important for us to address.
Here's one of them:
media

And to help you do that, I've ordered a CPYU (Center for Parent/Youth Understanding--Walt Mueller) publication. It's a 3-week unit on teaching your kids to evaluate media--movies, music, ads, computer programs. It doesn't tell your kids what to think; it teaches them how to think.
It's called Download: Teaching Teenagers to Filter Their Media Choices. It uses a DVD and a student workbook that CPYU has had out for a number of years, How to Use Your Head to Guard Your Heart: a 3(D) Guide.

I really just ordered the DVD 10 minutes ago. It ought to be here within a week. Come in and ask for it. I think we need to help our kids think theologically about their world--and media of all sorts are a big part of their world.

More Topics-We-Ought-To-Be-Addressing-(According to Marilou) in future blogs.

3 things

1) Blatant advertisement
Carol Howard Merritt is coming Saturday, January 29. Her topic is Reaching the Google Generation. See more on our website.

2) I just read yet another article about the waning of the specific youth ministries model within congregations. Is your congregation talking about this? This article was written by Kara Powell of Fuller Seminary. Moving Away from the Kid Table.

3) Read Walt Mueller's entire article in the Aug. 8 edition of CPYU's on-line publication. But here's the outline:
He suggests that youth leaders:
--tend to your own theological and spiritual vitality.
--rethink your theology of conversion.
--cultivate the life of the mind.
--focus on integration of faith into all of life.
--fight materialism and injustice.