Comments for Reaching New Heights http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com Thoughts on Student Ministry Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:36:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Teen Girls and STDs by Cory http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/teen-girls-and-stds/#comment-53 Cory Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:36:18 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=29#comment-53 Wow! If anyone can make reading a blog comment feel like running a 5K, it's you, Spenge! ;) Great thoughts, and I promise to tap into your resources one of these days. Wow! If anyone can make reading a blog comment feel like running a 5K, it’s you, Spenge! ;) Great thoughts, and I promise to tap into your resources one of these days.

]]> Comment on Teen Girls and STDs by erin http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/03/17/teen-girls-and-stds/#comment-52 erin Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:46:55 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=29#comment-52 cory! you know holistic sex ed in the church is one of my absolute biggest passions in life!!!!! if you ever need/want help doing a series on it, and i VERY HIGHLY encourage you to do one with your youth and youth parents, please call me and i'll help you if you want/need help or a place to bounce ideas off of. i did an extensive study in seminary on sex ed in the church, and would love to help you in any way possible....even if it's just helping you think about thinking about doing a sex ed series. i also have lots of resources, etc. holistic, healthy sex education is essential in the church. absolutely and extremely essential. it doesn't matter how"good" a kid is; i was the model "goodie-two-shoes" christian kid in a great family.....but my parents never breathed a word of sex and sexuality to me. ever. and in my middle and high schools where i grew up in sc, when we had our annual sex ed series in health class, all the pages on contraception were torn out: a decision by the county school board. if it were not for my youth minister, and his belief in holistic sex ed (which included parents and all kinds of other "experts" to speak on the topic), i would never have received any sort of healthy theology of sex and sexuality. (and there are distinct differences in "sex" and "sexuality" that should be addressed) it is not just a matter of the "church" or "minsters" talking to "teens" about sex......it is a matter of ministers working with parents to collectively teach and initiate real conversations with teens about what is really going on with them: the confusing world of changing bodies, changing emotions, peer pressure, sex, sexuality, relationships, respect for self and others, and general information. it is a collective conversation. and one that does not solely and exclusively focus on abstinence. abstinence-only based sex ed not only does not work (studies are now showing what we've suspected for a long time!), but i also believe it is emotionally and psychologically detrimental to the developing young adult. we must take our teens' minds, hearts, and bodies more seriously!!! btw: did you know the correct term is no longer STDs? the correct term is now STIs: sexually transmitted infections. i recently learned this. sorry for ranting! :-) i LOVE this topic and LOVE encouraging youth ministers to plunge in! it's fun! involve lots of people! you don't have to be the expert!! xoxo erin.. cory!
you know holistic sex ed in the church is one of my absolute biggest passions in life!!!!! if you ever need/want help doing a series on it, and i VERY HIGHLY encourage you to do one with your youth and youth parents, please call me and i’ll help you if you want/need help or a place to bounce ideas off of. i did an extensive study in seminary on sex ed in the church, and would love to help you in any way possible….even if it’s just helping you think about thinking about doing a sex ed series.

i also have lots of resources, etc.

holistic, healthy sex education is essential in the church. absolutely and extremely essential. it doesn’t matter how”good” a kid is; i was the model “goodie-two-shoes” christian kid in a great family…..but my parents never breathed a word of sex and sexuality to me. ever. and in my middle and high schools where i grew up in sc, when we had our annual sex ed series in health class, all the pages on contraception were torn out: a decision by the county school board. if it were not for my youth minister, and his belief in holistic sex ed (which included parents and all kinds of other “experts” to speak on the topic), i would never have received any sort of healthy theology of sex and sexuality. (and there are distinct differences in “sex” and “sexuality” that should be addressed)

it is not just a matter of the “church” or “minsters” talking to “teens” about sex……it is a matter of ministers working with parents to collectively teach and initiate real conversations with teens about what is really going on with them: the confusing world of changing bodies, changing emotions, peer pressure, sex, sexuality, relationships, respect for self and others, and general information. it is a collective conversation. and one that does not solely and exclusively focus on abstinence. abstinence-only based sex ed not only does not work (studies are now showing what we’ve suspected for a long time!), but i also believe it is emotionally and psychologically detrimental to the developing young adult. we must take our teens’ minds, hearts, and bodies more seriously!!!

btw: did you know the correct term is no longer STDs? the correct term is now STIs: sexually transmitted infections. i recently learned this.

sorry for ranting! :-) i LOVE this topic and LOVE encouraging youth ministers to plunge in! it’s fun! involve lots of people! you don’t have to be the expert!! xoxo erin..

]]> Comment on Advent Conspiracy by Melissa http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/advent-conspiracy/#comment-51 Melissa Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:53:40 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/advent-conspiracy/#comment-51 Love this video. We've been playing it in our morning worship services each Sunday in December. It is as powerful the third time as it was the first. Love this video. We’ve been playing it in our morning worship services each Sunday in December. It is as powerful the third time as it was the first.

]]> Comment on Preaching to Myself by Melissa http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/preaching-to-myself/#comment-50 Melissa Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:52:27 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=33#comment-50 Great post, Cory. I understand what you are saying. It is such a bad feeling. There have been times when I would think maybe its time to quit. But that isn't the answer. As you say ... stay the course, adjust your swing, stay in the game. Until the Manager takes you out of the game. Great post, Cory. I understand what you are saying. It is such a bad feeling. There have been times when I would think maybe its time to quit. But that isn’t the answer. As you say … stay the course, adjust your swing, stay in the game. Until the Manager takes you out of the game.

]]> Comment on Kids Against Hunger by Danny Chisholm http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/kids-against-hunger/#comment-49 Danny Chisholm Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:52:10 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=48#comment-49 GOod post. Glad you are board here in the Ozarks. GOod post. Glad you are board here in the Ozarks.

]]> Comment on The Gap Year by Cory http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/the-gap-year/#comment-48 Cory Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:46:43 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-48 That's amazing. I think we're beginning to see more and more interest in the gap year here in the US. While some might take the opportunity to explore a vocational field, I think opportunities to serve and volunteer could provide long-term character development that will enable students think more wholistically about the world around them. Thanks for sharing, Richard. That’s amazing. I think we’re beginning to see more and more interest in the gap year here in the US. While some might take the opportunity to explore a vocational field, I think opportunities to serve and volunteer could provide long-term character development that will enable students think more wholistically about the world around them. Thanks for sharing, Richard.

]]> Comment on Teens or Students? by spenge http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/teens-or-students/#comment-47 spenge Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:53:55 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=39#comment-47 hey cory! you have a blog too! cool! love it! i always call my youth "youth" or "teens" or "students" (as mike always calls them).....but i am always careful NOT to call them "kids"....that feels insulting of their young adult status, disrespectful of their growth out of childhood, discounting their every-growing ability to make wise decisions. thanks for bringing up that point of discussion! :-) hey cory! you have a blog too! cool! love it!

i always call my youth “youth” or “teens” or “students” (as mike always calls them)…..but i am always careful NOT to call them “kids”….that feels insulting of their young adult status, disrespectful of their growth out of childhood, discounting their every-growing ability to make wise decisions. thanks for bringing up that point of discussion! :-)

]]> Comment on The Gap Year by Richard Oliver http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/the-gap-year/#comment-46 Richard Oliver Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:39:09 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-46 The gap year has been popular with students in the UK for many years. There are now numerous organizations that between them provide a range of activities throughout the world. In 2000 the leading UK based companies came together to form Year Out Group that aims to promote the concept and benefits of the well-structured gap year, to promote good practice amongst the gap year providing organizations and to provide impartial advice on how to select suitable and worthwhile projects. In 2007 these 35 organizations arranged placements for 47,000 participants in over 90 countries. While most of the participants came from the UK, there has been a steady increase in interest and take up from students in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Placements include a variety of courses where you can improve on an existing skill or learn a new one; join an expedition or do voluntary work. The key to a successful gap year programme is to research carefully and plan in detail. The Year Out Group website is an excellent place to start. The gap year has been popular with students in the UK for many years. There are now numerous organizations that between them provide a range of activities throughout the world. In 2000 the leading UK based companies came together to form Year Out Group that aims to promote the concept and benefits of the well-structured gap year, to promote good practice amongst the gap year providing organizations and to provide impartial advice on how to select suitable and worthwhile projects.
In 2007 these 35 organizations arranged placements for 47,000 participants in over 90 countries. While most of the participants came from the UK, there has been a steady increase in interest and take up from students in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Placements include a variety of courses where you can improve on an existing skill or learn a new one; join an expedition or do voluntary work.
The key to a successful gap year programme is to research carefully and plan in detail. The Year Out Group website is an excellent place to start.

]]> Comment on Teens or Students? by Matt Cleaver http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/teens-or-students/#comment-43 Matt Cleaver Thu, 15 May 2008 20:29:33 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=39#comment-43 I tend to agree with Smith, although I'm pretty horrible about saying "students" for some of the reasons James mentions above (aside from the face that it's just an "in" term that I've used so much it is hard to stop). I've been trying to quit, and I do think it does communicate something about out ministries when we say "students." I'm helping with a group of high school seniors who are planning their baccalaureate service, and someone made the point, "We shouldn't talk during the service as if everyone is going to college. We all might be, but a lot of people in that room won't be." I thought it was a very mature and insightful comment to make. I tend to agree with Smith, although I’m pretty horrible about saying “students” for some of the reasons James mentions above (aside from the face that it’s just an “in” term that I’ve used so much it is hard to stop). I’ve been trying to quit, and I do think it does communicate something about out ministries when we say “students.”

I’m helping with a group of high school seniors who are planning their baccalaureate service, and someone made the point, “We shouldn’t talk during the service as if everyone is going to college. We all might be, but a lot of people in that room won’t be.” I thought it was a very mature and insightful comment to make.

]]> Comment on Teens or Students? by Grahame http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/teens-or-students/#comment-42 Grahame Thu, 15 May 2008 19:10:42 +0000 http://reachingnewheights.wordpress.com/?p=39#comment-42 Interesting comment from CS. Coming from the UK, I've always found your use of the term 'students' a bit, well academic. In the UK and Europe youth groups tend to be populated by 'young people' not students. And young people can 'study' the Word too. I agree with James' comment 'youth is a true season in life and should be acknowledged with its associated struggles and problems.' Thanks for the invitation to comment. Interesting comment from CS. Coming from the UK, I’ve always found your use of the term ’students’ a bit, well academic. In the UK and Europe youth groups tend to be populated by ‘young people’ not students. And young people can ’study’ the Word too. I agree with James’ comment ‘youth is a true season in life and should be acknowledged with its associated struggles and problems.’ Thanks for the invitation to comment.

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