99 Thoughts on Caring for Your Youth Group

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99 Thoughts on Caring for Your Youth Group: From Coffee Shop
Counseling to Crisis Care
Copyright © 2012 Matt Murphy & Brad Widstrom
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever
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simplyyouthministry.com
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoatations marked The Message are taken from The Message. Copyright
© 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress
Publishing Group.
Credits
Authors: Matt Murphy & Brad Widstrom
Executive Developer: Nadim Najm
Chief Creative Officer: Joani Schultz
Editor: Rob Cunningham
Art Director: Veronica Lucas
Production Manager: DeAnne Lear
ISBN 978-0-7644-7611-2
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12

Printed in the United States of America.

DEDICATION
Looking back it’s clear to me how God has shaped my
life from a hurting childhood into one where I am called
to help hurting teens and their families. Thanks to my
family for raising me up as a child in the way I ought
to go; to the many pastors who demonstrated pastoral
caregiving in my life, especially Pastor Jim and Pastor
Adams; to Pastor Dan who recognized a higher calling
in my life and gave me direction enabling me to become
an excellent youth pastor and to Galilee Baptist Church,
the first church who put their faith in me by hiring me.
Finally, to my wife, who compliments every one of my
imperfections and encourages me every day of my life.
–Matt

Thanks to my wife, Sandy, and my kids, Lindsey and
Christine, for helping create our home as a sanctuary
where we can retreat from the many demands that call
out our gifts as caregivers in a hurting world.
–Brad

CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................ i

SECTION ONE: CREATED TO CARE
(WHO YOU ARE AS A CAREGIVER)
3 Essential Cornerstones
1. Stay in God’s Word................................................................................3
2. Depend on prayer .................................................................................4
3. Minister in God’s Spirit .........................................................................5

5 Indispensable Qualities of a Caregiver
4. Be loving ................................................................................................6
5. Be empathetic .......................................................................................7
6. Be available ...........................................................................................8
7. Be humble .............................................................................................9
8. Be trustworthy .......................................................................................9

4 Hurdles to Understanding the Needs
9. Change is the only constant...............................................................11
10. Relativism has become a powerful force ........................................11
11. “At-risk” has been redefined ............................................................12
12. Students face a variety of crises .....................................................13

3 Thoughts on Caring for Caregivers
13. Every caregiver needs a caregiver...................................................16
14. You may need to be someone else’s caregiver ..............................16
15. Personal care includes Sabbath .....................................................17

SECTION TWO: SKILLED TO CARE
(EQUIPPING YOURSELF AS A CAREGIVER)
5 Commands for Day-to-Day Caregiving
16. Thou shalt live out incarnational ministry .......................................21
17. Thou shalt be a safe person .............................................................22
18. Thou shalt create a safe place ........................................................23
19. Thou shalt encourage others to be safe, too ..................................24
20. Thou shalt be prepared....................................................................24

5 Ways to Grow Your Skills
21. Grow by reading ................................................................................26
22. Grow by watching..............................................................................27
23. Grow by attending.............................................................................28
24. Grow by asking ..................................................................................28
25. Grow by doing ...................................................................................29

5 Caregiving Truths to Remember
26. “Pastoral” gifts are not just for the “pastor”...................................30
27. Don’t wait until you are fully prepared.............................................31
28. Sometimes you must report ............................................................31
29. Sometimes you must refer...............................................................32
30. Knowing the right people is invaluable ...........................................34

7 Habits That Show You Care
31. Practicing the ministry of presence .................................................36
32. Demonstrating good body language ...............................................37
33. Recognizing the power of “room presence” ...................................38
34. Understanding the love languages of teenagers ...........................38
35. Using your time to display value ......................................................39
36. Committing to listening well.............................................................39
37. Practicing the art of silence .............................................................40

3 Responsibilities Regarding Physical Touch
38. Realize the importance of positive touch .......................................42
39. Know that touch can be misinterpreted .........................................43
40. Make sure your own needs are being met first ..............................44

SECTION THREE: CARING LIFESTYLE (ROUTINE CARE)
6 Strategies to Strengthen Your Caregiving
41. Move beyond coffee shop counseling .............................................49
42. Consider the risks of giving advice..................................................50
43. Ask questions that lead to action ....................................................50
44. Confront issues appropriately..........................................................51
45. Help students develop good goals ..................................................53
46. Establish boundaries for technology ...............................................54

4 Proactive Tips for Promoting Health
47. Preach and teach for health .............................................................57
48. Create and encourage relationships of encouragement
and accountability ............................................................................57
49. Equip your students .........................................................................58
50. Understand the MEATS behind behavior ........................................58

4 Reflections on “Normal Issues” of Adolescence
51. Consider your own situation.............................................................62
52. Band together with others who care ...............................................63
53. Don’t be part of the problem ...........................................................64
54. Recognize the juggling act ...............................................................64

SECTION FOUR: SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS
(SIGNIFICANT ISSUES)
6 Issues You May Face
55. Bullying ..............................................................................................67
56. Divorce ..............................................................................................68
57. Addictions ..........................................................................................69
58. Eating disorders................................................................................ 71
59. Chronic illnesses ..............................................................................73
60. Students with special needs ...........................................................76

2 Places With Powerful Ministry Potential
61. Respond when students are incarcerated ......................................79
62. Respond when students are hospitalized ......................................82

4 Reflections on Loss Through Death
63. Understand the process of loss and grief .......................................88
64. Be present in students’ lives ...........................................................88
65. Offer comfort through presence ......................................................89
66. Accompany the family in moving forward .......................................90

6 Sex Topics You Can’t Ignore
67. Dating ................................................................................................93
68. Masturbation ....................................................................................94

69. Pornography ......................................................................................95
70. Sexting...............................................................................................95
71. Premarital sex ...................................................................................96
72. Teen pregnancy ................................................................................97

SECTION FIVE: SKILLED RESPONSE (CRISIS MOMENTS)
6 Keys to Crisis Response
73. Can you cope with a crisis? ...........................................................101
74. Preparation is key .......................................................................... 102
75. Don’t self-deploy—though there are times when you must ........ 103
76. Give loaves of bread instead of stones ........................................ 104
77. Understand post-traumatic stress disorder ................................. 105
78. Display compassion when working with victims...........................107

5 Thoughts on Suicides and Suicidal Behavior
79. Understand why students consider or commit suicide............... 108
80. Create a healthy atmosphere for teenagers .................................110
81. Know some of the warning signs.................................................. 111
82. Be prepared to make a quick assessment and get involved ..... 113
83. Respond compassionately after a suicide ................................... 115

Helping Students Through 5 Other Kinds of Crises
84. Responding to self-injurious behavior...........................................117
85. Responding to rape ....................................................................... 118
86. Responding to abuse .................................................................... 119
87. Responding to domestic violence ................................................. 120
88. Responding to violent acts and terrorism .................................... 122

11 Lessons from Columbine: Thoughts on Responding to
School Crises
89. Go! .................................................................................................. 123
90. Observe and obey protocol ........................................................... 124
91. Christ incarnate ............................................................................. 125
92. Here now! ....................................................................................... 125
93. Serve first ....................................................................................... 126
94. Relationships are key .................................................................... 126
95. Evangelism is secondary .............................................................. 127
96. Be the rock, but… .......................................................................... 127
97. Embrace emotions ......................................................................... 128
98. Long-haul ministry ......................................................................... 128
99. Shield and protect ......................................................................... 129

Closing Thoughts ...................................................................................131

Endnotes ............................................................................................... 133

INTRODUCTION
It happened again last night. While unwinding after a
busy day, the phone rang. I (Brad) really didn’t have the
time or energy to answer, but I did. Good thing. One of
my students was experiencing a crisis. At that moment, I
really did not feel prepared or ready to engage. What did I
have to give him? Over the next 20 minutes, though, I was
privileged to step into this student’s life in a redemptive
way. After praying, I hung up, knowing that God had
allowed me to be part of something sacred. God worked
through me to bring the caring, healing, ministering touch
of the Holy Spirit.
You’ve been there, too. We don’t have to work with
teenagers for very long before we’re thrust into the role
of caring for their deep needs. It’s not a matter of if—it’s
when we’ll be called upon to engage. Sometimes this
takes place informally in the local coffee shop; other
times it could be in a hospital or at the scene of a major
crisis. Sometimes it’s routine, ongoing involvement and
care; sometimes we must offer care in an emergency.
And like us, you’ve probably questioned your preparation
and adequacy to be the kind of caregiver your students
need. We still feel this way, even after a combined 45
years of training and youth ministry experience. Our

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knees knock, our pulses rise, we throw up one of those
desperate “help me God” prayers—and then we jump
in, knowing that with God as our helper, we can make a
difference.
It is our hope and prayer that these thoughts both free
you and equip you the next time you receive one of those
calls or find yourself in a caregiving situation—free you to
know that with God’s help you do have what it takes to
care and minister in his name, and equip you to a higher
level of skill and feeling of adequacy. All for the health of
our students and for the sake of God’s kingdom.
In this book we attempt to alternate “he” and “she” rather
than use “he or she” language. So when you see us
write “he” or “she,” remember that it usually can mean a
student of either gender.

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SECTION ONE

CREATED
TO CARE
WHO YOU ARE
AS A CAREGIVER

3 Essential
Cornerstones

Who you are as a follower of Christ is of first importance.
Before we can be effective as caregivers, we must be
in right relationship with God, with God working in and
through us as we come alongside others. Here are three
keys to maintaining your spiritual health:

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Stay in God’s Word

The Bible does not include step-by-step instructions
for coming alongside people in need of care, yet it is
chock-full of truths, principles, instructions, warnings,
challenges, and examples that, if studied and followed,
will increase our ministry effectiveness. The Bible is a
window to the heart of God, reflecting back into our own
souls, opening our eyes to the needs of those around us,

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and helping to lead them into spiritual health and right
relationship with God.

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Depend on prayer

The 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon penned
these words: “Prayer is the slender nerve that moveth
the muscles of omnipotence.…Nothing is too hard for
the God that created the heavens and the earth.”1 God
is the creator. God knows us and knows the people we
come alongside to serve. God knows the needs, the
issues, and the answers. Ask for God’s wisdom—and
muscles!—as you enter your role as a youth worker and
caregiver. And because prayer is important, why not
stack the deck? Don’t only be prayed up; be prayed over!
Surround yourself with people that will commit to pray for
you. Keep them updated with your personal and ministry
needs. Lots of “slender nerves” working together are
even more apt to move “the muscles of omnipotence.”
If you’re in a key leadership role, send out monthly and
weekly updates. Share prayer needs as well as updates
from previous communications. Maintain a short list of
those you can call or text for immediate, critical needs.
Just remember to maintain confidentiality when needed
regarding specific students and their needs.

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Minister in God’s Spirit

The Apostle Paul was quick to point out in numerous
passages that it was the Spirit of God working through
him that led to his ministry success. We must realize the
same. Remember Popeye the Sailor, who was able to
overcome great odds and defeat vicious enemies once
he had eaten his spinach? Think of the Holy Spirit as our
spiritual spinach. Without the Spirit, we are working only
in our strength. When the Holy Spirit comes alongside to
minister through us, we truly minister in God’s wisdom
and power.

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ISBN 978-0-7644-7611-2

Printed in the U.S.A.

9 780764 476112

Religion/Christian Ministry/Youth