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Sexuality

• Boxers or Briefs? The Loss of Innocence  By Michael Holt
  
  "Many of us have become numb to constant cultural assaults on our convictions. Are there any innocent kids left?"
• Called to the Closet: God's Heart for Gay and Lesbian Youths  By Kelli Trujillo
  
  Gays and lesbians are the church's "modern-day lepers." the author notes. But going by statistics, it's likely that a few are showing up at your youth group. Will you shout "Unclean!"...or do what Jesus did?
• Can You Fix My Son?  By Jen Arens
  
  "So, how do we look past gender biases and into the hearts of our kids? What do we do when a parent asks us to fix their kid?"
• Christian Ethics in the Sexual Wilderness  By Tony Campolo
  
  It's a jungle out there-and we can find ourselves hard-pressed to help our kids find a way out.
• Dancing in the Dark: The Addictive Lure of Pornography  By John Haney
  
  "They may be outgoing honor students and athletes during the day, but then disappear each night into a shadow world, later filled with shame and disgust at their failures."
• Fast, Easy, and Unfulfilling Teen Sex  By Steve Rabey
  
  A look at two communities touched by extreme cases of rampant teenage sexual activity, why the trouble may be closer to your town than you think (if it's not there already), and some suggestions for helping teens experience the lasting love they're substituting for ultimately unfulfilling sex.
• How Youth Workers Are Teaching Sex Ed.
  
  Four youth workers explore the intersection of their sexuality, their spirituality, and their youth-leading duties.
• I'm a 17-year-old Christian guy, and I think I'm gay.
  
  Your peers respond.
• If These Walls Could Talk: Providing a Linguistic Framework around Sexuality  By Justin Spurlock
  
  "With countless hours of preparation, I entered the room. I was prepared to teach an entire series to my teenagers, but dread fell over me as I entered the room to talk with parents about the topic—sex."
• Imperatives in Helping Students Wrestling With Gender Identity  By Gary J. Brink
  
  "Ministry with students isn't telling them how they should act; rather it's helping them think through why God has given us guidelines and what authentic sexuality means in relationships."
• Is Masturbation a Sin?  By Dale Kaufman
  
  Here's a biblical analysis of this question, especially as it related to working with teens. Read editorial and other responses.
• Just Say Virgin: A Cross between Just Say No and True Love Waits  By Steve Case
  
  "Our job must be to create the perception that virginity is cool. With that, I would like to announce the beginning of an official new campaign."
• Love in a Postmodern Age  By Ellen Cavanaugh
  
  "In our postmodern world, students are constantly bombarded with the message that love is the end-all-be-all of life; but it's a skewed perspective on love."
• Ministry to Bisexual Teenagers  By Stefanie Mitchell
  
  Kids in her "youth group" include a drag queen or two and meet in Manhattan's gay clubs.
• Real Help For Real Pain: Ministering to Sexually Confused Teens  By Dale Kaufman
  
  "You may not know it, but you have hurting kids in your youth group-kids who have some deep, penetrating issues that speak to what they see themselves as."
• Sexual Harassment and the Church: Sexual Harassment in the Church  By Ellen Cavanaugh
  
  Sexual harassment reflects a lack of understanding in our society about how men and women ought to relate to each other. It violates basic Christian values of justice, equality, respect, dignity, chastity, and peace. It's the responsibility of church personnel and volunteers to take immediate and appropriate action to report or deal with incidents of sexual harassment whether brought to their attention or personally observed.
• Teaching Chastity to Middle Schoolers  By D. Scott Miller and Kristin Witte
  
  Addressing sexuality with early adolescents is tricky business, especially at a life stage when male and female development seems worlds apart.
• The Safest Sex Ed. Isn't Safe  By Mary Ann Mayo
  
  Top tips and all-time favorite resources for teaching this critical subject, from professionals like yourself.
• The Sexual Youth Pastor: A Youthworker Roundtable
  
  Four youth workers explore the intersection of their sexuality, their spirituality, and their youth-leading duties.
• What Do Teenage Girls Need?  By Carol Kuniholm
  
  "Teenage girls need permission-permission to play, permission to speak, permission to set their own boundaries, feel their own feelings, stumble along the way."