The Importance of a Youth Leader

How important is the youth leader/director/youth pastor/senior pastor or just plan you?
In the fall 2008 Youth Network Magazine a survey said this about How kids described their youth leader:
87.2 - they cared about me
69.4 - they were interested in my life
67.5 - they took time to listen to me
67.5 - they stood by me
66.3 - they gave me guidance
61.8 - I felt I could trust them with my personal issues.
58.6 - I didn't feel judged by them.
58.0 - They helped me to realistically apply my faith to daily life.
50.4 - they sought me out.

What ever you do for youth, whatever ideas you have, whatever talents you have - whatever your age - you can communicate with youth - you, your interest in them, is the biggest tool to reach them for the Lord.

Sexual Abstinence

According to the Journal of Adolescent Health, teens who sign a commitment not to have sex before marriage, MOST remain faithful to their pledge. Look it up on their internet site. You are encouraged on this blog, to teach the Biblical truths about abstinence and to urge our youth to make such a pledge.

Pastor Dennis Gray

Warning Signs of Teen Depression

In young children:

Loses interest in regular activities
Cries more easily or becomes clingy
Can't concentrate on games or in school.
Sleeping or eating patterns, or moods, change.
Gets angry or defiant
Appears healthy but complains of feeling ill.

In adolescents:

Is very tired or can't sleep
Engages in harmful behavior
Isolates from family and friends.
Becomes surly with parents.
Has a drop in academic performance.
Loses or gains weight.

From The Lutheran Magazine for September, 2008

For the complete article: www.thelutheran,org/feature/september