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"Youth Groupies"
So, I have a firm belief that leaders should have a 4 year age gap from the students they lead. Now, there are exceptions to make it more or for the strong leader who is a month out kind of thing and you need a guitar player now. MAYBE... Student leaders who are students IN the ministry...ok. There is a place and time for that to. But the graduate who doesn't want to let go of youth groups of ol'....??? That is why we have a college group...right?
Some of my current students don't get why the older guys can't come back and they think it is stupid. Yet, across town O got leaders in jail for sex with 13 year old students. HELLO??!?!?!?
Thoughts????? How do YOU deal?
- 4 Answers
- In Youth Ministry
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- Brion
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- 4 years ago
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We've got the same thing here, we are doing two things to help "combat the groupies" (that would be a good band name):
1) A very clear departure ceremony... a graduation from youth group. It makes it very clear that there time has come to a close and we are sending them with our blessing to do ministry.
2) Getting students plugged in other places in the church while they are still students. It is a smoother transition if they have somewhere else to go when they exit the youth ministry.
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My leaders are in the sam eage group as the ones they lead - it's like that in school as well. But they are seniors in school tho'. If you have an older person that come pull him into your inner circle and give him more accountability. I.O.W. keep him close - if he's legit he'll flourish. If they had alterior motives, they'll scram quick. Then, keep tabs and check the older leaders behavior in youth - in Church too. Especially with younger girls. |
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well, there is a certain maturity factor to be considered, but recent youth grads are not necessarily the most important concern as far as predators go. We all know that can come from any direction. I do have some recent grads as volunteer youth leaders. I also have had to tell some "no thank you." It is a case by case basis for me. I have a four year guideline; so the recent grads work with the middle schoolers. I only have three recent grads, but I am in constant mentor mode. They do not necessarily have life experience on their side, so i try to guide them as much as possible while giving them the ability to make decisions. |
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We have also struggled with this issue but are at peace with a 4 year gap. We actually allow 23 year old students to do limited interactions on kind of a mentorship status. Overnight involvement (mission trips)is limited to 25 year old and above as we reserve those chaperones for those who can drive. Our insurance has a minimum age of 25 to drive. This has worked well for us. We have discovered some of our youth who were interested in involvement right after high school were struggling with pornography. Not a good match with 14-18 year old girls. |
