One of the biggest smacks on the head today was the idea that sophistication and maturity are different things. I guess I may have already realized this, but never thought that it was relevant to youth ministry. Let me explain.
Bruce Wayne, he is a very sophisticated person right. He was at least until Christian Bale got his hands on the character. The sophistication was still there because of the money and the knowledge in his head, but what he did with that knowledge and power was not the most mature. Anytime you would see Bruce in public, at a restaurant or driving a car he was always reckless and maybe even drunk. Granted this was an alter ego, but the point is that most youth with the abilities they have to become knowledgeable about anything via the internet and other people's lives may be sophisticated but are still immature. 20 years ago when parents of today were teenagers it took a lot of work and maturity to be sophisticated, now the ruse of teenage life is to convince parents that they are more mature than they really are. Kids will be kids.
Parenting needs to happen no matter how sophisticated youth may seem. Youth need to realize that it is their responsibility to see their parents as parents not an older version of a teenager.
Adolescence is expanding and is twice the size it was in the 50's. This means that youth begin seeming more mature earlier and continue the ruse later in life.
This is all to say that as adult leaders, especially in ministry, do not assume that your kids can think and comprehend on the same level as you. That you are able to give them some amazing philosophical quandary that will blow their mind only to realize it confused the heck out of them and maybe even turned them off of church.
Kids are kids and that is a good thing, be kids. Don't grow up before you have to and when it is time take responsibility for who you are and your actions, truly make them yours an don't blame them on your parents. Don't try to be something you are not. You are loved for who you are and not for who your parents think you are. You belong to the kingdom of God from the day you were baptized. This is a great thing.
Love this time of life, love each other and love your family.
-dain
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