With Chris Zoephel | Counseling Students...

YAMIA is the youth and student ministries arm of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.

A lot has been written on the topic and I am certainly no guru but here are a few things I have seen work with both kids and adults...

-Pray
-Shut up and listen...and when you are ready to talk...listen.
-Be free! You are not the savior. You will mess up. You do not know all the answers. Come to terms with this asap.
-Ask the right questions. Get them talking...ask them questions that force them to discover the issue(s) themselves.
-Help them to discover how God is involved in the process. One main question I ask is "Why do you think God has allowed this?" This is a great one because I often don't know this answer and it puts me in a humble stance and puts me alongside the person in the journey toward hope, wholeness and truth.
-Connect it to a Biblical story or theme. Often times I will ask, "Does that situation sound like anything you have run across in Scripture?" Or, "Is there a Biblical character you can relate this to?"
-Help them vision a Godly outcome. Help them explore how they should respond (think, act etc...) in light of God and His calling and purpose.
-Pray with the person
-keep the confidentiality

Involved in Youth Ministry for over 10 years, Rev Chris Zoephel has worked with junior highers, senior highers and those who act like these folks both as a paid staff member and as a volunteer in churches and para church organizations. These days most of his time is spent chasing his son around, keeping his office somewhat organized and trying to point others toward Christ. Currently Chris is on staff at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin, FL as the Pastor of Discipleship (which includes being a youth pastor). Chris also serves as Director of YAMIA for the Anglican Mission in the Americas.