Pilot Knob Lutheran Church Communique Children at Risk August 12, 2026
I’m taking a break from Sunday’s sermon and focusing on youth. Young people are often over looked in church and elsewhere due to their age, education, experience and other factors. Today’s youth are facing challenges that we adults never thought of let alone face. Because of our rapidly changing society it can be difficult understanding what they are experiencing and their temptations.
Some of the challenges they face are: 53% of girls in the U.S. are reporting Persistent Sadness and depressive symptoms at alarming rates. About 30% contemplate suicide and 75% of girls say they wish they could surgically remove or change something about their bodies.
Then there is trauma: 66% of all children report experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16.
One more: 10 million plus young people are being exposed to explicit material online. Many contract a sexually transmitted disease each year and also watch their parents scream and fight each day. In short: cutting, (Nonsuicidal Self Injury) substance abuse, anxiety, depression, addiction and suicidality are all on the rise as never before. (Statistics taken from American Association of Christian Counseling material.)
There was a young man who came from a broken home. His father was incarcerated, and his mother was struggling with drug addiction. He had been raised in inconsistency, pain, and instability. One day he came into counseling, looked up and said, “Wednesdays are my favorite.”
Most people think of Friday through Sunday as the best days. When asked why, he answered, “Because on Wednesdays, I get to see you.”
If you ever doubt the impact you can have in the life of a child simply be showing up, by being present, by being dependable, by being an encourager, by being a voice of truth and reason, then remember this: there is power in presence. Every child needs someone who is absolutely crazy about them.
All the more for parents and adults to observe and tune into their world, behavior and mind. What you have to say matters; it can make or break someone! There is what is called the 4R model providing a practical way to support young people who are struggling.
Recognizing the challenges youth are facing is the first step. This involves getting to know them, understand their story and pay attention to their struggle that exists beneath their story.
Ask questions; can you recognize when they are going through a difficult time, as well as behavioral and physical cues. Recognition begins with attention and empathy, and the greatest form of empathy is to ask good and effective questions, not judgment, criticism, or brushing them off.
Next: the second R: Relate
Pr. Bob Snitzer
By the Way:
Sunday 16, 9:00 Morning worship. Sermon: Arrested!
GriefShare will be every other week, beginning October 4, 2:00-3:30. If you know of anyone who would benefit pass this information on and/or give them a brochure that is at the church.
Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran
Our service also airs on: KGLO 1300 AM at 10:00 AM, and KIOW 107.3 FM at 7:00 AM. Spread the word.
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
