Because I'm a culture-watcher, I'm a TV watcher. Television offers a reflection of culture that's as big as the massive mirror that hung in my grandparents' living room over their couch. You could look into tha...

From Learning My Lines: "Every now and then I find something positive in pop culture that's worth passing along to our CPYU constituency. This morning I found one of those things while doing some writing for t...

What does the Bible tell us about dealing with culture and pop culture? Adults who work with young people often wish Scripture spelled out directions for interpreting the latest movies, video games and music.Al...

All of us—adults and kids—have had the gospel of the American Dream pounded into us from the day we were born. This gospel's creed reads "Get your eyes on yourself! Get rich! Get stuff! Get happy!...

I founded the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding 20 years ago, and I have been thinking about the past and reflecting on, "What if?" If I were doing youth ministry today with an eye toward future effectiv...

My school years were far from “Happy Days.” I grew up with a simmering prejudice against public schools that preoccupied my early life until that day in June 1974 when I received my high-school dipl...

Recently, a man I know—a professing Christian, active in ministry—went away to prison for a long, long time. He was found guilty of more than two-dozen counts related to the sexual molestation and...

Almost 20 years ago, I asked teens to send me a list of the five greatest pressures they face. One of the kids who responded was Sarah, a 16-year-old only child from New York. Her list was representative of the...

Last summer, when I taught my buddy Ian how to water ski, I issued this warning: "Once you're up and out of the water, you will feel an overwhelming desire to pull your hands and the tow rope close to your ches...

Several years ago – sometime during the mid to late-90s if I remember correctly – I sat in on a seminar at the Youth Specialties National Youthworkers’ Convention in San Diego. It was the year...