Need help helping our teens

[workin4G]

I am our church youth group's leader and teen Sunday school teacher. I have been working in the church since 1999. Our church is fairly small with an average of 10-12 teens. I am very concerned about our teens. I teach them straightforward scriptures with no frills. Just when we begin to reach them something or someone happens.

We recently had several getting baptized and a new teen member has been coming to the altar, however we can't seem to get them off the back pews or interested in worship. In fact they have recently talked and laughed so loud I could hear them from the front of the church. Our Pastor recently taught on dress codes, make-up etc. and it upset a new female teen. There was even a rumor of a boycott. I continued our Pastor's sermon by giving them scriptures for make-up, dress, jewelry, piercing's, tattoos and respecting the Pastor the following Sunday. Then the subject was dropped. One of our teen girls has even backed off from wearing so much make-up, small step but never the less a step.

We have also given them the scripture that addresses blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is unforgivable. Then Sunday night during altar service 5 of our teens stood in the middle of the church and was actually making fun of one of their mothers who, for the first time, received a blessing from the Lord. I'm concerned for their salvation and how their behavior is effecting the rest of the church. They all claim to want to learn God's word and that they believe it, but very few of them want to pray, worship or make an effort.

A new adult member made a comment about how unruly our youth is, but we can't seem to get the parents to step in and help us. Any ideas on how we can encourage them without chasing them away.

[ddc101]

How about a teen care group? lv sis.c

[homemom]

In all but a few churhces I've attended the youth were asked by the pastor to sit in the first 2 rows or so. (No one wants the very first row. To exposed.)

They were brought together as a cohesive team. Somehow a attitude developed that is was cool to live for God.

As a group they prayed, went to youth functions, had their own services. they had their own prayer room and thier own youth fellowhip group and Sunday school and outings.

In my own youth group way back in the 80's (hahaha) Our pastor had a special meeting with the youth and youth pastor and parents. Everyone kinda got on the same page and it helped. When we got our own prayer room our pastor who truly loved us, would come in and pray with us before service. I loved to hear him call our names outloud and pray blessings on us. He would lay hands on us sometimes and it was such a sweet time. I miss those days now.

Sometimes I think youth are to much removed from the adults in the church but they need to feel a place of identity somewhere and if they don't feel that at church then they will find it somewhere.

And Just my opinion I would cut back on the the whole makeup and outside thing and start focusing on thier hearts and their relationship with Jesus. Believe me if you get a few kids who really are ready to serve God and have a deep relationship with Jesus they will be harder on each other and the rest of the group than you could ever preach to them.

that said I do think you were wise to go back and back up your pastor by teaching them why something is wrong than to just say its wrong and that ends the discussion. teens always need a real reason. It is a part of their "makeup". They need a cause and a place to belong.

I have also seen starting a teen choir do amazing things to a youth group. again it is a place to belong to, a group to feel a part of.

jmo