Comments for Conversations on the Fringe http://conversationsonthefringe.com healing begins with understanding... Fri, 25 May 2012 13:13:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on Rookie Mistakes (Pressuring Students to Change) by Admin http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2012/05/24/rookie-mistakes-pressuring-students-to-change/#comment-4559 Fri, 25 May 2012 13:13:16 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1207#comment-4559 I agree Jerry that in younger kids their cognitive development may hinder their ability to “connect the dots” themselves so we must adjust our expectations accordingly. I think this idea should be more of a long term goal when interacting with kids, to stimulate their cognition and ability to think abstractly. This serves them in regards to faith and life. Too often in YM we just spoon feed kids everything and when they leave they have struggle to embrace what we’ve taught them because they’ve never “owned it” themselves.

]]> Comment on Rookie Mistakes (Pressuring Students to Change) by Jerry http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2012/05/24/rookie-mistakes-pressuring-students-to-change/#comment-4549 Fri, 25 May 2012 00:45:08 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1207#comment-4549 Might this be different for different age groups? I worked a lot with high school youth and definitely saw the “joining” them in reflection rather than challenging/directing/questioning worked much better. But in the little work I did with middle school youth, it appeared as if some of their thinking processes made this technique less effective and a simpler explanation of where the adult wanting to change their behavior was coming from worked (an explanation of where they were coming from and why they were concerned rather than why they should change).

]]> Comment on Causes by leila http://conversationsonthefringe.com/topics/depression/causes/#comment-2892 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:51:15 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/topics/depression/causes/#comment-2892 Did you know that teen depression is a sign that they are at-risk? If we say at-risk, it refers to the possibility that they will endanger themselves. Of course there are at-risk programs intended to help our at-risk youth. Evaluate your teens now and get them helped before it is too late.

]]> Comment on The Art of Connecting with Kids on the Fringe by Ron http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2011/09/07/the-art-of-connecting-with-kids-on-the-fringe/#comment-2598 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:02:14 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1122#comment-2598 I would also say meet teens in neutral places where they dont feel threatened. This can be high school games, malls, fast food places, etc. When you step on their turf, you can practice discernment and become familiar with their ways. Your list is also good.

prophetiksoul.wordpress.com

]]> Comment on Compassion on the Decline Among College Students by Marge http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2010/06/01/compassion-on-the-decline-among-college-students/#comment-2423 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:04:15 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=594#comment-2423 A simple and inltelignet point, well made. Thanks!

]]> Comment on The Art of Connecting with Kids on the Fringe by Admin http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2011/09/07/the-art-of-connecting-with-kids-on-the-fringe/#comment-1529 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:04:30 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1122#comment-1529 Ben –

Thanks for the encouragement. Might consider the book idea. ;)

]]> Comment on The Art of Connecting with Kids on the Fringe by Admin http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2011/09/07/the-art-of-connecting-with-kids-on-the-fringe/#comment-1528 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:02:33 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1122#comment-1528 Ed –

Thanks for commenting. First, while I agree that all teens are at-risk today I still see that there are groups of teens that are marginalized. Furthermore, God calls us to recognize that and to pursue them, intentionally.

I’m not a fan of labeling anyone but I do see that God, in the Scriptures, uses identifying language to communicate specific people in specific situations. (i.e., the poor, down-trodden, the meek, the sick, the oppressed, widows, etc.)

I think we need to remove the blinders from our collective eyes that cause us to think that everyone has the same opportunities and choices. So, by identifying a group of kids on the “fringe” we communicate that there are kids not connected to God’s community and that God longs for that kind of restoration to occur. We are called to be a part of that activity.

Hope that makes sense.

]]> Comment on The Art of Connecting with Kids on the Fringe by benjaminkerns http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2011/09/07/the-art-of-connecting-with-kids-on-the-fringe/#comment-1527 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:34:23 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1122#comment-1527 what a great series you are embarking on. i can’t wait to see how you fill these topics out. you should probably consider this topic with these bullet points as a rough outline to a best selling book for youth workers!

peace

]]> Comment on The Art of Connecting with Kids on the Fringe by Ed http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2011/09/07/the-art-of-connecting-with-kids-on-the-fringe/#comment-1524 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:06:34 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1122#comment-1524 First, we need to drop the label “fringe”. Teens are teens.

Until we learn to see them through the eyes of God, we will never reach them. If wecontinue to see them through the eyes of society we will continue to try to manipulate them. Kids will see us for who we are and shut us out

]]> Comment on Goofus and Gallant in Youth Ministry by Admin http://conversationsonthefringe.com/2011/08/17/goofus-and-gallant-in-youth-ministry/#comment-1378 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:58:43 +0000 http://conversationsonthefringe.com/?p=1059#comment-1378 Me too Drew. I’ve noticed that kids seem to act according to the expectations I have of them and if I expect them to act “goofy” then goofy is usually what I get.

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