Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Center Parent Youth Understanding

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a nonprofit organization committed to building strong families by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and teenagers.

At a time when an already confusing youth culture is changing quickly, CPYU helps parents, youth workers, educators, and others understand teenagers and their culture so that they will be better equipped to help children and teens navigate the challenging world of adolescence.

Founded in 1990 by Walt Mueller, CPYU has developed an international reputation as a voice providing cutting-edge information, resources and analysis on today's youth culture.

The mission of CPYU is to work with churches, schools, and community organizations to build stronger relationships between young people and those charged with helping them grow into healthy adulthood.

This mission is accomplished by:

  • Helping parents understand and respond to the complex world of their children and teens from a distinctively Christian point of view.
  • Equipping teenagers to deal with the challenges of adolescence.
  • Equipping parents and teens to respond to these challenges through a distinctively Christian world and life view.
  • Raising the youth culture awareness of youth workers and educators, thereby helping them increase their effectiveness with parents, children and teens.

To learn more about CPYU and how we are helping parents, youth workers, and others make a positive difference in the lives of today's teenagers click here to download a printable brochure.

dayouthguy - resource reviews

Dayouth guy - aka Jay Phillipi - offers one review of a youth ministry resource each week of 2009 at http://youthmissioner.blogspot.com/

YMtoday


Youth Ministers

What are you hearing?

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Exemplar Youth Ministry Research

34 Characteristics of Mature Christian Youth website
  • Seek Spiritual Growth, Both Alone and With Others
  • Are heard referring to having prayer, devotions, and meditation times.
  • Ask sincere and searching questions about the nature of a life of faith in God.
  • Prefer and attend gatherings where they can learn more about the Christian faith.
  • Accept opportunities for learning how to speak naturally and intelligently about their faith.
  • Are involved in Bible study and/or prayer groups.
  • Join Christian groups to build friendships and learn how to be a friend.
Believe God is Present in the World
  • Speak openly about seeking or experiencing God's guidance.
  • Are heard asking each other about what God has recently done in their lives or the lives of others.
  • In times of trouble, reassure others that God is active to make things work out all right in the long run.
  • Occasionally speak of having been keenly aware of the presence of God.
Act Out of a Commitment of Faith
  • Speak publicly about their relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • When providing a rationale for their actions will at times cite specifics of their faith.
  • In conversation with family and friends brings up topics of faith or Christian living.
  • Pray for people especially needing God's help.
Are Active With God's People
  • Regularly attend worship services.
  • Have willingly participated in two or more of the following: taught Sunday School, Bible class, or Vacation Bible School; served with a group to improve conditions at school or neighborhood; made a presentation before a faith group or in worship; helped in raising money for a Christian project or mission trip; served on a congregational or denominational committee or task force
  • Regularly contribute money to a congregation or faith project.
Possess a Positive, Hopeful Spirit
  • Enjoy being together, as evidenced by their laughing, singing, and conversation.
  • Show a gracious, loving attitude to people not easy to like (e.g., the difficult, rude, shunned, loser).
  • Have friends of widely diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious background or persuasion.
  • Have been heard describing the Christian faith as a necessary force in society, helping people develop attitudes of understanding, sympathy, and cooperation.
  • Are known for their general optimism, trust, and positive expectation of other people, being convinced that one person can do much to make the world a better place.
  • Are eager, responsive, and cooperative rather than unresponsive, disinterested, and apathetic.
Live Out a Life of Service
  • Give portions of time and money for helping people.
  • Attend conferences or workshops that present the challenge of service professions such as the ordained ministry.
  • Speak out publicly against specific social injustices.
  • Try to offer comfort or support to a friend or neighbor in the event of a death or tragedy either by talking or by action (personal presence, help with routine tasks, transportation, visit in hospital, etc.).
  • Defend a friend or acquaintance who is being talked about when he/she isn't there.
  • Organize and participate in study or action groups to address injustice or immorality.
  • Are involved in activities of service related to church, community, or world.
  • Are assuming responsibility for some aspect of their youth ministry.
Live a Christian Moral Life
  • Are heard referring to seeking help from scripture in deciding what is right and wrong.
  • Actively seek to discourage friends from cheating at school.
  • Have a reputation for not participating in activities such as lying, stealing, substance abuse, etc. and have a reputation for honesty, integrity, hospitality, and acts of kindness.
Exemplar Youth Ministry Project Team
  • Dr. Thomas Berkas (Research Team, Professor—Bethel University)
  • Dr. Wes Black (Project Team, Professor—Southwestern Baptist Theo Sem)
  • Mark Brekke (Research Team, Brekke and Associates)
  • Susan Hay (Project Team, United Methodist Church)
  • Dr. Roland Martinson (Project Coordinator, Professor—Luther Seminary)
  • Marti Burger (Project Team, Evangelical Covenant Church)
  • John Roberto (Project Team, Roman Catholic, Center for Min Development)
  • Kenneth Slifer (Project Team, Presbyterian Church USA)
  • Dr. Merton Strommen (Research Team, Founder—Search Institute)
  • Kristen Venne (Project Administrator, Luther Seminary)
  • Hal Welden (Project Team, Luther Seminary)
  • Rod Whitlock (Project Team, Assemblies of God)

21 Congregations Featured in the Qualitative Research

  • Calvary Christian Center Assemblies of God (Louisville, KY)
  • Cottonwood Assembly of God (Cottonwood, AZ)
  • Newport Mesa Christian Center, Assemblies of God (Costa Mesa, CA)
  • Rochester Covenant Church (Rochester, MN)
  • Rolling Hills Covenant Church (Rolling Hills, CA)
  • Thornapple Evangelical Covenant Church (Grand Rapids, MI)
  • Grace Lutheran Church (Des Moines, WA)
  • Hope Lutheran Church (Fargo, ND)
  • Shared Lutheran Ministry of Fayette County (Fayette County, TX)
  • First Presbyterian Church (Billings, MT)
  • First Presbyterian Church (Fort Dodge, IA)
  • Memorial Presbyterian Church (St. Augustine, FL)
  • St. Michael’s Catholic Parish (Albion, NE)
  • The Catholic Parishes of Sacred Heart, St. Benedict & St. Ann (Terre Haute, IN)
  • St. Mary’s Catholic Parish (Pompton Lakes, NJ)
  • New Colony Baptist Church (Billerica, MA)
  • Oaks Baptist Church (Grand Prairie, TX)
  • Travis Avenue Baptist Church (Fort Worth, TX)
  • Common Cup Cooperative Parish, United Methodist Church (Portland, OR)
  • First United Methodist Church (Valparaiso, IN)
  • Myers Park United Methodist Church (Charlotte, NC)

Monday, February 23, 2009