Spring Break
Churches urged to break the silence on teen sex
LaDonna Kearse/NovelTeenInk, School Without Walls
Issue date: 6/29/08 Section: Divine Intervention
"In actuality, I really think that some don't think that abstinence is something that the young will really even accept," said Debyii Sababu Thomas, assistant pastor at Hemmingway Temple AME Church in Baltimore, Md. "I'm sure many of us in this church are not aware of how important it is to even emphasize abstinence. For those who've already gotten involved sexually, we shouldn't ignore them. We should talk about being safe, and whether or not they need to continue."
Even though Hemmingway Temple AME Church doesn't have a program of their own, they work with other agencies in the community, such as the Health Department.
People's Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Md., is one of the places teenagers could turn for a program that deals with not only abstinence and sexual education, but also the struggles faced by teenagers. Children who are not members of the church can join the programs also.
"I can't speak for other churches, but our church is very involved in the life of all of the people who belong to the church, and we are most especially interested in our youth," said Melbourne Cummings, deaconess and one of the founders of People's Community Baptist Church.
Area churches could take a cue from a church in Cleveland, Ohio, which, in conjunction with four other urban congregations has begun holding ceremonies at which parents, guardians and church members pledge to support youths choosing a chaste lifestyle. The rituals are part of a new openness about sexual issues in the sanctuary.
Breaking a sacred silence in a hookup culture, church leaders are talking about sex with young people as part of a larger effort that includes providing information about health and job programs to combat poverty and hopelessness.
And youths are responding to the no-sex-in-the-city message. Two hundred and twenty-five young people -- almost double the number from a year earlier -- made purity pledges at "True Love Waits" rallies at two local churches this spring, said Gail Reese, director of the Cleveland-based Ministry of Reconciliation.
Her ministry also has begun a program to train youths to lead discussion and support groups in churches and community centers.
"There's no way in the world we can avoid talking about sex because we see the devastation it does in our community," said the Rev. Rick Gillespie-Mobley, co-pastor of Antonio's church, Glenville New Life Community Church.
Even though Hemmingway Temple AME Church doesn't have a program of their own, they work with other agencies in the community, such as the Health Department.
People's Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Md., is one of the places teenagers could turn for a program that deals with not only abstinence and sexual education, but also the struggles faced by teenagers. Children who are not members of the church can join the programs also.
"I can't speak for other churches, but our church is very involved in the life of all of the people who belong to the church, and we are most especially interested in our youth," said Melbourne Cummings, deaconess and one of the founders of People's Community Baptist Church.
Area churches could take a cue from a church in Cleveland, Ohio, which, in conjunction with four other urban congregations has begun holding ceremonies at which parents, guardians and church members pledge to support youths choosing a chaste lifestyle. The rituals are part of a new openness about sexual issues in the sanctuary.
Breaking a sacred silence in a hookup culture, church leaders are talking about sex with young people as part of a larger effort that includes providing information about health and job programs to combat poverty and hopelessness.
And youths are responding to the no-sex-in-the-city message. Two hundred and twenty-five young people -- almost double the number from a year earlier -- made purity pledges at "True Love Waits" rallies at two local churches this spring, said Gail Reese, director of the Cleveland-based Ministry of Reconciliation.
Her ministry also has begun a program to train youths to lead discussion and support groups in churches and community centers.
"There's no way in the world we can avoid talking about sex because we see the devastation it does in our community," said the Rev. Rick Gillespie-Mobley, co-pastor of Antonio's church, Glenville New Life Community Church.
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