Christianity --Youth Issues/Expert Profile

Expertise

I can answer questions from teens & young adults concerning their faith walk and on social issues which affect their lives. I can answer questions on sex, homosexuality, and drugs and anything else that might be troubling you. After 30 years in youth ministry, nothing shocks me, and I promise to give straight answers to any and all questions. I can also answer questions from youth workers on problems they`re having with programming or with their groups.

Experience in the area

I have been involved in youth and young adult ministries as a volunteer for 30 years. I am currently a volunteer youth minister in a large city UM church - our youth group has about 75 members.

Organizations

United Methodist Church, Chrysalis, Walk to Emmaus

Awards and Honors

Certified lay speaker for UM Church

What do you like about this subject?

Youth ministry is a passion of mine. I do youth ministry for 2 primary reasons - I didn't have a youth minister like me when I was a teen, and a youth minister played a large part in my daughter's maturity (she's now 38). I want to give something back

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I continually want to learn all I can about today's teen and young adult culture to help me better minister to teens.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

There are only two rules in youth ministry (IMHO): .....Love God!...... .....Love the kids!....... All else just seems to fall into place when you follow these two rules.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

The most often asked questions I get.. Is masturbation a sin?----(it depends, it's a complicated issue)... How far is too far(sexually speaking)?---{keep your clothes on}.... Is oral sex a sin?----{Outside of marriage, yes.}...... Are my non-Christian friends going to hell?---If they've heard of Jesus and rejected him, yes.}.... Write me for answers.