RISING COSTS HIT TEENAGERS HARD . . . Adults aren't the only ones feeling the affects of the economy. So are teenagers. Many are changing their lifestyle choices to save money. Since food and gas for the car are the two main spending items for teenagers, many have stopped driving their cars, are taking the bus, and are eating out less. According to a Teenage Research Unlimited survey, teenagers said high gas prices were a major concern for them. Even younger teenagers who didn't have a license yet said the high price of gas was hurting them because their parents couldn't afford to buy them the things they usually did in the past (Detroit News, June 18, 2008).

THE SCARIEST PART OF HALLOWEEN:  SKIMPY COSTUMES . . . Costumes that guys wear often frighten people because of their violent, gory nature, but now many parents are becoming concerned about the girl's costumes as well. Yes, there are still princess and witch costumes, but those are becoming more "sexy" featuring bare midriffs, halter-tops, miniskirts, and other "revealing" aspects. "Halloween has become just an excuse for little girls to dress like sluts," says Celia Rivenbark in Newsweek magazine (Newsweek, November 5, 2007).

MOTIVATING TEENAGERS TO GET GOOD GRADES . . .  How do you encourage teenagers to get good grades in school? Apparently many school districts are offering cash and other incentives. In Atlanta, students can earn $8 an hour to attend a 15-week "Learn and Earn" after-school study program. In New York City, kids can win as much as $500 for improving their test scores. Some are lauding the programs, while others point to the dangers, saying that it may help in the short term, but not in the long term (USA Today, January 28, 2008).

 
 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Does it make any difference that you are Lutheran? In today's world, our teens would, if they are honest, probably say that it doesn't make much difference to them.  I would hope that it was different.  I wish I could tell you that from our confessional, Lutheran position, our teens are totally on board.  But it is far more likely that a teen would tell you that it doesn't make any difference whether you are Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic or go to a non-denominational church.  In fact, many would even include non-Christian religions in that "it doesn't make a difference" column.  On the 2007 Lutheran Youth Fellowship Youth Poll, 17% of our teens said "all religions are pretty much the same" and 52% said all Christian denominations should be free to worship at each other's churches.  That is the message of the secular world we live in - that we are all pretty much the same.  And our youth seem to be falling into line with the world.

 
I got to thinking about these things this month because it is October and we celebrate the Reformation on the 31st.  Luther boldly declared to the world what we believe about God, His grace through Jesus Christ, and His plan for life and living.  We give thanks that God has claimed us by the power of the Holy Spirit through the waters of baptism and we celebrate God's love and forgiveness in the Lord's Supper.

 
I believe we will also be challenged in the next few months with the release of the Search Institute study of adolescent spirituality.  In this spiritually diverse age, our youth are challenged to deal with the question, "Does it make any difference what you believe."  We would say "Yes," of course.  But we have our work cut out for us as we strive to train our young people in what we believe and why it is important. Perhaps it is time for us to rediscover what it means to be Lutheran, to give thanks to God for our Lutheran heritage and to redouble our efforts to live, teach and confess the faith we have in Christ, to celebrate the "Mighty Fortress" that our God is. 

 
This month I pray you a Power-filled and Hope-full Reformation Celebration!
 

-tkd