Always set an example of sincere, loving, dedicated, happy Christian living.
      Young people will accept our standards from the way we live rather than from what we say, especially if our words are critical or condemning.  Your happy personal experience with Jesus will be your most powerful witness.
      Always avoid being harsh, rigid, autocratic, judgmental or condemning.
      Always keep in mind the goal is for the gradual development of moral character, independence and self control through the power of Jesus in their life.
      Instead of only forcing compliance our goal is always to make Christ’s values so reasonable and attractive that the youth will adopt them for their own.  Values imposed from without are of no value in character building until they are adopted as one’s own.
      Always value each person unconditionally as the purchased treasure of God.
      Always be honest and genuine, in whom there is “found no guile.”  Youth will not be turned off by your mistakes if you will humbly admit them and ask their forgiveness.
      Keep polishing your sensitivity, to be able to put yourself in the young person’s shoes, to feel what they are experiencing.
      Always demonstrate your faith, confidence and trust in their capacity to be responsible, dependable and trustworthy.
      Always treat them with the same dignity and respect that you would towards Jesus.
      Always be willing to listen respectfully while they sort out the troubling questions in their lives.

-Vernon W. Shafer, Ph.D