He says he learned from writing the book that no one dominant program or model is likely to succeed today across a culture that is so diffused. We underestimate their critical insights. We can do better. They ask excellent questions and are open to engagement, but if we do not take the questions seriously, they will go unanswered and we will lose our youth as a resource. But we have not maintained such rites very well.
Adults are frequently blind or hypocritical in their own behaviors regarding violence.
Youth are good imitators of what they learn from adults around them. Through TEY, youth get to deal with the issues of their changing lives and can practice vocational and spiritual discernment. I think it important to involve them in the governance of the church, such as serving on a Congregation Council. And I think it is critical to involve them in service. Having youth participate in Habitat for Humanity, or the Appalachian Service Project gives them ways to serve others creatively.