Youth problems: getting to heart of the matter

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 51, 27 June 1974, Page 5

Youth problems: getting to heart of the matter

Someone was recently quoted as having said: "The future of our country depends upon whether we can take Ihe policeman off the street corner and put him in our hearts." The main topic of conversation in Taupo at present revolves around the trouble and headaches our young people are causing. Some have ventured to suggest that the.clue to the problem could be lack of entertainment; more concern for the tourist trade than for home life; too many people having to move too often and thus* producing unstable children, lack of parental control. I'm sure that every one of these reasons has some significance. But it seems that no-one has put their finger on the heart of the problem. Did you catch the point? The heart! The Bible says: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." — Jeremiah 17:9. It has never been possible and it never will be possible to maintain a high quality of moral and ethical living without spiritual means; without developing within people a sense of obligation to their rnaker — a desire and determination to live up to his divine intentions and expectations for them; a set of high aims and ideals; a willingness to assume some responsibilities for . themselves. The heart is the clue to better living and better

men, and the clue to the heart is the grace of God. I wonder if one would go along with the following points? (1) The strength of any society depends not upon the number of its laws, but on the number of its citi/.ens who do right voluntarily. (2) The number of citi/.ens in our society who do right voluntarily depends on how many of them are religiously motivated. It seems we are in the position we are in today because people have turned their backs on God and decided they can well run their own lives without any help from him. But we're proving ourselves wrong, or perhaps more true to say our young people are proving us wrong. Maybe you are unaware of what each of the local churches is doing for the young people of Taupo — your young people could become involved in these activities. Last weekend more than 30 young people from the Brethren Assembly- attended a camp on Whakamaru Island — too late to join that one, but no doubt there will be others. Or what about going along every second Friday evening for some fun and fellowship with the young people from the Assembly? If it's adventure you're

intercsted in. why not go along. on Sunday afternoon to listen ti) an ex-mission-ary from the Congo? Young people from the Presbyterian - Methodist Chureh are enjoying being given the opportunity to voiee their opinions in discussions they are sharing with the adults following their Sunday evening service. If you don't know very much about the work of the Holv Spirit in the world then you could benefit from attending these discussions. At the Anglican Church there is a club that meets every Friday at 6.30 p.m. for lessons, games and supper. This club is for form 1 and 2 pupils. but don't feel left out of things if you are in the older age group — how about throwing in your weight with the working bees around the church? A new group has been formed for ladies, and Contact will hold its first discussion in a "private home on July 17. Salvation Army young people and their friends t'rom the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas have a special weekend arranged in Tauranga in July. In Taupo we enjoy a social hour after our evening service on the first Sunday of each month — you would be most welcome to join us. On Thursday, July 11, a small group of young people from the training college in Wellington will be conducting a bright Gospel hour. This meeting is open to everyone. The folks at the New Life Centre would be happy to see you any Tuesday evening at the Bible study meeting they hold. Also, they have a monthlv aetivity for young people on a Saturday night, which is alwavs something special. On August 3 they hope to show the film "The Jesus People." The Baptist fellowship has many activities to which you would be welcome. Sunday Sehool for all ages, Girls' Brigade one night a week, with a junior section operating after sehool. A week night study group meets for voung adults and children, as well as a fortnightly social aetivity on a Saturday night. The Catholic fathers are holding a follow-up programnie from recent confirmation classes. Ailsie Bennett.