TCW Article
September 13, 2007 | T. Suzanne Eller
I’m getting lots of e-mails from women from all over the nation in response to this month’s article, “The Rise of Raunch”, in Today’s Christian Woman.
If you are one of those, and especially if you are asking for additional information about mentoring, I’m listening! I promise I’ll share more information right here on DTB very soon. It’s obvious that there are a lot of amazing women who want to step in and make a difference in the lives of girls.
For right now, let’s keep talking. You are sending great ideas, great questions, and I’ll post them in the next week and we’ll start a dialogue on this topic.
For those of you who didn’t read the article, it is about how many of our younger girls are accepting far less than any other generation in the area of sexuality and relationships. We can point fingers (not at the girls, but at the adults in the boardrooms who push the envelope because youth is a powerful consumer market), or we can make a difference personally in the life of one or more girls. It’s an important topic, and one that I hesitated to write about, except after my encounter in the lingerie store with the 14-year-old and six guys from the local high school (shared in TCW), I had no choice.
I’ll add a link to the article as soon as it is available on the web.
If you are one of the readers and you’re stopping by, please comment. Let me know what you are doing to mentor girls, what programs you think are helpful, and any other information or questions.
Suz
RSS feed for comments on this post.
The URI to TrackBack this entry is:
http://www.tsuzanneeller.com/2007/09/13/tcw-article/trackback/
Suzanne,
September 17th, 2007 at 11:24 pmI loved the article you wrote in TCW. I’m incredibly passionate about this issue in our culture and feel a calling to help do something about it. I’m a 24-year-old recent graduate, and I’m really trying to figure out which direction God is leading me, and this issue about our sexualized culture keeps coming up all around me. It stirs so much passion in me, that I’m convinced I must take action. How did you know when to start dare to believe? How did you start speaking to women and teens? Do you know any organizations/ministries that are dedicated to this issue? I would love to know more about how this battle is being fought. Thank you!
In His Grip,
Morgan
Thanks Morgan, I love that you are in your twenties and passionate about taking action. I started daretobelieve when I felt a calling to communicate the message that God isn’t afraid of the tough stuff. My hope was to do that through my life first, but then through speaking, and writing, and last, through mentoring. I often feel inadequate, but I’ve learned that even that is a great place to be because I have to fully trust in God, and take steps only after listening and responding to him. There is a great organization called She Speaks, which is now mentoring and teaching women of all ages, but especially women your age to communicate their messages and passion. They host a conference yearly. I’m a friend of Lysa’s (the founder)and her heart is golden; it really is. She was recently featured on the Oprah show. She ministers to thousands and she’s the real deal. You can find out more at http://www.shespeaksconference.com/conferenceInfo.htm. Stay in touch, okay Morgan? : ) I’m so glad you stopped by.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:16 pmI just read the article you wrote in TCW and it spoke volumes to my heart. I am 29, in seminary and currently work in youth ministry at my church. I am really frustrated with the church focusing on what the young ladies wear, but not really ministering to their hearts. I have found that in spending time, by mentoring and forming transparent relationships with young ladies, Christ is more appropriately represented, His love understood and the conditions of their hearts changed. I have been used to lead many young ladies to Christ that way and the change on the inside is naturally reflected on the outside. It is hard work, but I thank you for making it so clear, that we can’t just sit around and expect change to happen. I am really encouraged by your ministry and will pray for its grwoth as you reach millions of people.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:48 pmIn His Service
Nayah
Good for you for speaking up in the store that day. Sadly, I think I probably would have walked away after the store clerks’ reaction. But because you didn’t, that girl had an experience I bet you anything she’ll always remember–someone standing up for her, a total stranger taking a risk so that she’ll know what she’s worth. Thanks for sharing this story–and for inspiring me to try for greater courage if I’m ever in a similar situation.
September 24th, 2007 at 1:51 pmI loved your article in TCW. It really touched my heart. I have three kids of my own two girls, one boy. I also have five step children, and have had 4 foster kids. I have seen so many things that bother me with the kids of today. I want to help. I would love to get more information about mentoring. I think there are lots of women out there that could reach out to young men as well. I will watch you website for more info on mentoring. Great job!
October 6th, 2007 at 7:43 ami totally agree with Nayah, real change does not happen if we are not willing to work for it. and i also think that she’s right by saying that the appearance is just not as important as the inside. i would say the substance matters the most, and not the container and the risk in that kind of situation where people focus on how other appear from the outside is generating hypocrisy in the hearts of those who are subjected to this pressure. and that’s a big failure because when they go out with their peers, they dress the way they want. this is exactly the kind of games we certainly want to avoid in today’s ministries, so Nayah, i like your point, and i think people should focus on the substance and this should be the primary goal. and by doing that, we can experience real real change.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:18 am