Bob's Blog

A recent survey on teen sex was sponsored by a parent organization called Mom Logic. The survey covered the topic of sexual activity on school campuses and was featured on the Today Show (11/30/07). Momlogic.com is a web site that focuses on answering questions that mothers and their spouses have concerning children in today's world. The survey is pretty revealing and amazing as you hear teens talking about their friends and other students they witness having sex in classrooms, gyms, cafeterias, and other locations on campus.

One of the most insightful questions asked was if they had ever witnessed other teens having sex on their campus. An amazing 22% said that they had witnessed such activities on school grounds. What's even more revealing is that a little under 15% said that they would tell their parents if they witnessed a classmate having sex at their school. The conclusion of the survey suggests that most teens take a casual view of sex. Some may not participate in being sexually active, but witnessing other teens participating in sexual behavior is not unusual.

Many sociologists and school counselors are aware of this new phenomenon of sexual activity being in the open on school campuses. Most school administrators know that it is a problem but are either unable or not prepared to deal with the situation. A few insights given by Pamela Varady, a parent educator expert who advised on the survey, may help parents in addressing this issue with their children.

First, she says that, "parents need to have continuous conversations and listen to their teens on the topic of sex." Most teens would feel comfortable discussing this topic with mom and dad but only if earlier conversations had taken place. She goes on to say that, "parents need to understand the developmental stages of teenagers." Understanding what teens go through developmentally could help parents better prepare their children for their teen years. "Third, parents shouldn't pull away from this topic. Let them know you're a little nervous talking about sex with them but that it's important to discuss it." Children are confronted daily with sexual content, and they need someone that they trust to help them through their thinking. Research shows us that Millennials have a close trusting relationship with their parents, so make the most of this and engage in your child's life in this important area.

If you would like to see the Today Show interview, you can go to www.momlogic.com and find the full video segment on their web site.

A few Sundays back (November 11th) 60 Minutes showed a segment about Millennials (those born after 1982) in today's work place. I'd like to thank Nate Zuck (a Millennial himself) for calling me up from Indiana to give me the heads up about the program that night. There are advantages about living on the west coast other than weather and that is being three hours behind those in the east.

The 60 Minutes segment was very insightful, covering not only how Millennials are changing the scene in the work room but also what other possible changes that will be coming soon to a community near you. According to Howe & Strauss, the first seven years of a new generation will set the standard in areas such as work environment, raising a family, social consciousness, and other cultural habits for their generation. The oldest Millennials are in their mid-twenties and are well on their way to becoming part of the fabric of American society. If you'd like, you can purchase the segment from 60 Minutes for your own use. It would be well worth the investment.

One last note on Millennials; keep your eyes out for more programming like the one done by 60 Minutes. Like Boomers, this is a significant generation that we should all want to know more about. This is especially true for the Church. And if you come across something that you find interesting about them, feel free to drop me a line. Always good to hear other perspectives on this generation

Well, another week of excitement here in California and another spectacular sunset to finish it off. We might have our bad times (fires, oil spills, etc...) and, true, the sunsets are partial sun with a mix of smog, but it is beautiful, and that's what I live with out here. I met some of the staff from CE National in San Diego for some meetings. They are looking at the possibility of a mission-oriented Momentum out here in the San Diego area, so I came to see if I could help. Have you ever been to San Diego? Once you've seen it, you don't want to leave. I was dropping off a friend at the airport after our meetings and the drive was amazing. People were rollerblading, jogging, or walking along the bay where sailboats lined the docks. In front of us, the downtown skyline reflected the descending sun off the water, and to our right we saw palm trees and hacienda homes that covered the hills. Postcard beauty is what I call it.

While stopped at the light, I heard noise behind me. It was a homeless person yelling at a driver about helping him out. Like any normal Californian, I rolled up my window. What did he want? Money? Money to buy booze. Food? I had a fudge cake that I bought but that was my fudge cake. I meet a lot of homeless people where I live. There's a lady that lives in my back alley that I use to talk to, but she doesn't recognize me anymore. Some I have helped because they seemed to need help. Others I have passed by because they seemed like this guy, a little angry, maybe crazy. Do you think Jesus stopped by to help every homeless person? I don't know. Helping the homeless, the needy, the orphaned, etc...is a full time job. How did he do that? Anyhow, he stopped yelling, the light turned green, and I left him. There was a little heaviness in my heart. The sunset didn't seem all that great to me and the skyline was fading in my mirror the farther I drove. What reality can do to ruin a perfect day.

I guess I find it funny that I drive two hours to talk about bringing others to do "mission," and I'm sure they can find the same people to minister to in their city that they'll see out here. I'm a work in progress and the "mission" is literally right in my backyard. I pray that I'll be on mission more. I want to be able to give up my fudge cake. God, protect me from crazy people when I do this. There are so many needy. Help me see them one at a time. Amen.

I had a great time at last week's Summit on Emerging Adults. CE National hosted the two-day event with fifteen in attendance. We wanted to keep the numbers small in order to have more time for discussions and interaction. You can see a review of the event on CE Nationals web page. Thanks to CE National for hosting the event, to Lois Maxson for the meals (her Pennsylvania back ground came through), to Chuck Bomar for his keen insights into today's younger generation, and to those who came and shared their love for and thoughts on ministering to this generation.

As for me, I came away with a couple of thoughts. First, there is a need for those who work with twenty-somethings to gather. Every one of those who came to the Summit expressed their appreciation for a seminar that focused on college/young adult ministry. They especially enjoyed the chance to connect with others who minister in the same area that they do.

Second, I sense that this is a growing age-group ministry within the Church and an age-group that is forming its own identity within the Church. They are neither youth nor adults. Some who are of this age range have a hard time seeing themselves as young adults. This issue raises many questions for churches. How do you minister to them? What developmental stages are they experiencing? Do you hire a pastor to oversee this group? Can a volunteer staff lead them? Even those who work with them don't know the answers to many of these questions.

Third, church leadership is slowly recognizing the need to reach this generation, with emphasis on slowly. That's why CE National will be offering more of these seminars in the future. Our hope is to make them available to anyone interested in knowing how to start a college ministry, how to reach and keep this generation for Christ, and how to connect with others who are involved in twenty-something ministry.

If you want more information about future seminars, please feel free to email me at calibobble@yahoo.com or you can connect with me through CE National. Look for more seminar information on CE Nationals website in the coming months.