Teenage girls

Ginny Olson is on staff at North Park University and Theological Seminary in Chicago. She's wicked-smart and she has always impressed me with her insight into people and what makes them tick. Here latest book came out some time in 2006 and I've been wanting a copy. My friend Mindi at YS sent me a copy. (Mindi is quite the youth worker herself!) The is titled, "Teenage Girls: Exploring Issues Adolescent Girls Face and Strategies to Help Them" is a very helpful book in helping folks understand Teenage Girls, especially youth pastors who are male. A couple years ago Ginny invited me to contribute a few thoughts from the perspective of a Male Youth Pastor's perspective. I had totally forgotten about this until, as I was reading the book, I found two things I had contributed.

Here's what I said,

"Beauty magazines only make you feel ugly. You will never fully understand the truth of this phrase."

"Sixth grade girls are some of the coolest people on the earth and you will never understand them."

"Compliment female students often. Make your compliments about their character and intentions. When you're older, it will be more appropriate for you to comment on their beauty. You'll know you are older because the kids in your group will tell you how old you are."

If you have girls in your youth group or church this is a good book for you to read. Some of it will be great reminders of things you already know, but there is great stuff in here you've probably never heard before. It's a heady read at times, because it needs to be. Get it.