PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

January 26, 2022

 YOUTH DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS (Part I)

Several years ago I completed the online Boy Scout’s Youth Protection Training program.  It is required every two years for any adult who works in any way with scouts.  I help out as a merit badge counselor.  The training is designed to help provide a safe and nurturing environment for youth to grow and develop.  Most of the training focuses on red flags that may indicate unacceptable behavior taking place.

In 1997 the Search Institute developed forty developmental assents that helped young people grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible adults.  I became aware of them when I was serving as the pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Kendallville.  They were used by a Report Card Committee as the basis for an assessment of conditions affecting children in Noble County.  As a pastor and community leader I found my attention drawn to Asset #3, Asset #4, Asset #18 and Asset #19.

Developmental Asset #3 is “older adult relationship – young person receives support from three or more nonparent adults.  Unfortunately many young persons do not have even one person who might fit this description.  Developmental Asset #4 is “caring neighborhood – young person experiences caring neighbors.”  Development Asset #18 is “youth programs – young person spends three or more hours per week in sports, clubs, or organizations at school and/or in the community.”  Development Asset #18 is similar to Asset #18: “religious community – young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution.”

In the Proverbs we read “Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” (Proverbs 22:6)  The Book of Proverbs in its present form is intended as a textbook for youth going through their bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah.  It contains what is necessary to be successful in life.  Deuteronomy 6:7-9 suggest four ways that one might train a child.

“Recite them to your children.  Talk about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are getting up.  Tie them on your hand as a sign.  … Write them on your house’s doorframes and on your city’s gates.”  (Deut. 6:7-9)  The first two suggestions are obvious.  The latter two suggest that we put them in prominent places so children will be reminded of them when they see them.

Assets #3, #4, #18, and #19 are external assets that help young persons grow up to be healthy, caring, and responsible adults.  There are many opportunities for all us to become one of these assets for the children and young people in our community.  There may be a child or young person for whom you are uniquely situated to be an adult asset.

Children and young people not only need external assets, they also need internal assets.  One of the things adult assets can do is help instill and nurture internal assets.  The next several weeks I would like to look at some of the internal assets that are important for the healthy development of children and young adults.