Comments on: Can They Be Rescued?

By: Donna Urban

Donna Urban — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:45:51 +0000

Though I am guilty of being one of the “baby boomer” moms and was seriously caught up in the self-esteem movement for youth (worked for an organization that taught it), I believe that my daughters have grown to be loving, giving woman. I don’t credit my parenting skills for this outcome, but the openmindedness and curiosity of both of them to pursue what “worked” for them and would help them to become the people they wanted to be. In a strange twist, the pathos of our family life may have contributed to this. They were always loved and accepted for whatever they did or thought and I hope we encouraged them to follow their own path. So, while there were no religious guidelines, they also didn’t have to overcome years of dogma to find God. As parents, I believe we never stop being in awe of our children and mine are amazing and contine to teach me, through their actions, the love of Christ.

By: Dar

Dar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:57:24 +0000

Kat, this was great research. And my experience working with youth at school and within the church backs this up.

The danger is that the authentic church will do one of two things: either cater to the millenials or ignore them. Working with this generation is very challenging. It can be very dirty work. So much of the “church” is afraid of the dirt they see here and don’t want to deal with it less they become dirty, too.

But it is the love of God for them that works its way out through them to love others that ends up healing them. It is the answer. We need to understand this and get “dirty.”

By: Indre

Indre — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:07:53 +0000

As Kalie said, the missing key as to why these folks tend to be “messed up” seems to be, that they are not from homes where biblical values are taught. I am just floored by the accounts I have heard (and personally witnessed)and continue to hear and from friends in the medical and education professions. The outright disregard for patients’ welfare and even their lives by healthcare professionals is alarming to me. You would think that in an inherrantly serving profession like nursing f.e., people would feel so rewarded by how their service to others impacts their lives, that they would be fantastic at their jobs. I hear alot of the opposite. Frankly it’s frightening to grow old, and /or get sick. I hear similar accounts from friends with special needs children and how their children are mistreated by teachers and just plain ignored by school administrators. . As Kathryn stated; it is the love of Christ and His transforming power that makes the difference. There is no other key – not even a good paycheck will instill the sacrificial love needed to care for people.

By: kalie.b

kalie.b — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:09:18 +0000

This is a great compilation of research, Kathryn. I love how you also quoted the high school girls (who are juniors, by the way). It really shows that the inability to love is at the root of many of their emotional problems, and many can’t love because they haven’t been loved well. They don’t know what it looks like. Everything you wrote so resonates with what I’ve experience working with high school girls. The most stable are those who have been raised in loving Christian homes where they were taught biblical values and self-sacrifice. The others have a host of emotional problems and unusual fears which evoke compassion and also cry out for healing. I hope God will continue to work through us to bring the healing power of his love to these kids. They need the hope Christ offers!

By: lbeech

lbeech — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:17:18 +0000

Nice article Kat. I have been thinking a lot of this through for years – especially after I read Seligman’s book on the Optimistic Child. When people go out and give to others and affect those around them – it just plain feels good.

Why? because we were created to do these things – to give to others – work and giving to others is part of what God has set before us – but first we must come into a relationship with our Creator – so that we can give out of gratefulness and genuine purpose.

I know when I first met some “Christ followers” in C-bus, their relationships are what drew me into pursuing a relationship with Christ. Thanks for putting this research together.

By: Diana

Diana — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:28:16 +0000

Thanks for your research Kathryn. This is a really insightful article. I too have seen the way God has changed people from this generation into loving, emotionally more healthy people. It’s so cool to see God’s transforming power at work in these kids’ lives. It is attractive to their peers who see they have real friends and a real purpose to their lives.