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Study reveals teens care about faith; Specific tenets, practices more elusive

Teenagers care about religion -- a recent survey, the most comprehensive ever done on teenagers and faith, found that four of five adolescents surveyed described religion as very important to them.

Religion matters to adolescents, the survey found, and for the most part, teenagers are not rebelling against their parents' faith -- most are sticking, at least so far, with the faith tradition in which they've been raised.

Survey: Religious teens tend to be more academic, confident, chaste

The most comprehensive survey ever done on faith and adolescence finds a teen nation where more than four in five youths say religion is important in their lives.

But the new survey of more than 3,000 teenagers and their parents also indicated that many teens know little about their religion.

Many other activities compete for their time, but among religiously active teens -- those who attend services weekly and belong to a youth group -- their faith appears to be making a significant difference in their behavior.

The National Study of Youth and Religion, described as the most comprehensive research ever done on faith and adolescence, revealed that such teens are more likely to:

Religious teens embrace abstinence; critics say it’s an unrealistic ideal

Luvirt Parker was 16 years old when he first pledged at a "True Love Waits" rally to remain a virgin until his wedding day. Seven years later, the Cleveland State University graduate was back to tell several hundred youths at Mount Zion Church of Oakwood, Ohio, that he has remained true to his word, and is looking forward to being married in April to a woman who shares his beliefs. "There's nothing like knowing you're pure before God. Your conscience is clear," Parker said.

New Bible translation targets young market

Even over latte at a coffeehouse, Andrew Apsite keeps God's word close at hand.

At the downtown Urban Mill, the 18-year-old reaches into his backpack and pulls out "The Message Remix," a modern-language paraphrase of the Bible. "When I don't know how to deal with something, I look for comfort and advice on how to deal with my issues," says Apsite.

A Talk with Michael R. Walker

Editor's Note: Michael R. Walker, the new executive director of Presbyterians for Renewal, has definite ideas about the current situation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the role of PFR within that context. Walker and his wife, Christina, just moved from Princeton Theological Seminary -- where he's been working on a doctorate in history and ecumenics --  to Louisville with their two children, Michaela, who's four, and Christian, two. He responds to the following questions:

Q: Please tell me a little about yourself and where you're from.

A: I'm from Florida. I grew up just outside of Orlando. And I didn't grow up in the church -- not the Presbyterian church or any church actually. I gained a vocabulary for the Christian faith, though, by attending First Presbyterian Church of Orlando on occasion. When I would spend the night with friends on Saturday night, many of my friends went to church at First Pres. Orlando, so it really didn't matter who I spent the night with, often that's where I ended up at church. And Howard Edington was the preacher there. And he spoke with a kind of passion and conviction that I hadn't heard anybody speak about anything with, and so it really captivated me.

BOP reviewing policies on reserves, governance

In an effort to maintain members' trust and sustain its reputation, the Board of Pensions (BOP) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is reviewing several of its guidelines and policies.

The self-review takes in everything from the pension plan's contingency reserve to how it recruits and trains prospective members and governs itself. "Every few years, we undertake significant review, especially of the valuation methodology for the pension plan and the death and disability plan," said Robert W. Maggs Jr., the board's president and CEO. "We are trustees ... for over $6.5 billion dollars, and over 56,000 people count on us for their benefits or financial assistance. We can't risk reputational harm because of non-compliance or a bad governance process."

With that in mind, the 32-member board of Presbyterian clergy and lay members from throughout the United States is at both ends of the microscope.

PC(USA) mission goals explored at GAC meeting

For the first time, the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is meeting in the spring -- and the next General Assembly isn't roaring directly outside the door, demanding to be let in.

So these denominational leaders are using the time, that extra little bit of breathing room, to think big-picture, to talk about how some of the strategic initiatives it's set in play -- efforts to look comprehensively at denominational funding and governance, for example -- are working out.

Charles Townes wins 2005 Templeton Prize

Charles Townes, the Nobel laureate whose inventions include the maser and laser and who has spent decades as a leading advocate for the convergence of science and religion, has won the 2005 Templeton Prize. The prize, valued at more than $1.5 million, was announced March 9 at a news conference at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York.

Easter congregations: New beginnings, new hope

Resurrection, when you think about it, can be very specific: one man, one cross, one life sacrificed for others.

But the Easter celebration also is a story across all time, a story of rebirth and new beginnings and hope.

Some Presbyterian congregations have their own Easter stories to tell. Some are of brand-new life, some of exciting new combinations, some of coaxing fresh growth out of old roots. In each case, these are Christians willing to do what Jesus did at Easter: to listen faithfully for God's voice, and to follow.