To be effective in meeting their needs, ministries with young adolescents should provide the following opportunities:

• A chance to explore who they are and who they can become. The major developmental task of young adolescence is to build the foundation for a strong and realistic concept of self. When development in young adolescence proceeds in positive ways, we see a movement in all areas - social, emotional, intellectual and physical - towards increased independence competence, and greater responsibility to self and society.

• Time to reflect on their changing self-concept. Young adolescents need positive feedback on their emerging self-concept, and opportunities in which they can experience a sense of mastery and competence.

• Opportunities to form positive relationships. Experiences with peers in a comfortable and secure environment are essential for the development of friendship-making and friendship-maintaining skills.

• Experience a sense of competence. Providing adequate support and training towards the performance of meaningful tasks is their communities and in their congregation allows young adolescents to feel that their talents are valuable and valued.

• Opportunities to gain experience in making decisions. Setting norms, and shaping program content with adult help, allows young adolescents to feel a sense of participation in shaping their lives, while at the same time recognizing the limits of this freedom.

• Time for laughter, high spirits and physical activity, as well as time for contemplation and opportunities to be alone.

• A chance to explore and discuss vocation and career. "So I get a good job when I am older" is one of the top values of young adolescents.

• Opportunities to explore, discuss and act on justice issues like racism, poverty and peace. Their concerns should be taken seriously by helping them take constructive action and helping them reflect on these experiences.

• Opportunities to receive accurate information and guidance about human sexuality. Young adolescents need to explore what being a man or woman means and to communicate with their parents about human sexuality in a Christian-values context.

• A chance to apply Christian values and utilize decision making skills as they struggle with moral judgment questions.

• Opportunities to experience a sense of belonging, of membership in the Christian community; to experience the Christian story: it's understandings, rituals, actions.

• Opportunities to sort out the variety of beliefs, values and ideas that are grounded in both significant others and peer-group consensus. The goal of this sorting out process is to aid the adolescent in responding to Jesus from a growing inner sense of self, rather than relying on external influences.

• Opportunities to connect religious traditions with varied opportunities for self-discovery and self-definition.

• Time to discover a relationship with God in a more personal way. Young adolescents need time to reflect on the experience of God as a friend or companion and what this means for him or her on an intellectual, affective and moral level.

• Time to explore their relationship with Jesus, concentrating on who Jesus really is---his values, his intentions, his motives and his attitudes, as well as what he really proclaimed and how this relates to the adolescent's own life.

• Opportunities to develop skills for communicating with diverse adult, Christian role models.

• A chance to know mature adults who are comfortable with young adolescents and are willing to explore sensitive issues with them.

• Opportunities to know adults who will share their own life experiences that relay themes of personal relating and personal commitment.

• Opportunities to learn to socialize, build better communication and grow with their parents/ families. Young adolescent ministries needs to be a ministry with parents/families. Whether it is an educational program on human sexuality or Scripture, a communication workshop, or a social or recreational event, the family should be an integral part of the program.