Have you ever felt completely lost in a conversation between teenagers? They’re talking, using normal words, and then it seems that they start to speak their own teenager language. You’re not sure if “blogging” is a crude term, if “facebooking” someone should require medical attention, and you thought Edward Cullen was a real-life dreamboat from school only to find out he’s a fictional vampire which leaves you wondering why the girls all have crushes on a figure who would have given you nightmares as a teenager.

The girls in your group were born after the Berlin Wall fell, were in elementary school on September 11, and were probably born while Hilary Clinton was still the First Lady. They learned how to navigate the Internet at the same age you were taught to use the telephone, aren’t allowed to take peanut butter sandwiches to school, and learn about the Vietnam War in their American History classes. They have probably never used a phone anchored to the wall with a spiral phone cord, had to get up to move the dial to change the channel on the TV, or ridden in a car without seatbelts.

If you ever feel like you don’t speak their language, like you’re out of touch with their culture, or like your ministry to them isn’t as relevant as you’d like it to be, Earl Creps’ book Reverse Mentoring is an excellent resource.In Reverse Mentoring, Earl Creps explains how older leaders can learn valuable cultural insights from younger leaders and how these insights can translate into a more effective ministry to young people. Reverse Mentoring offers practical guidelines on developing a reverse mentorship relationship. In learning how to adapt to culture, you can stay relevant and culturally-savvy for years to come.

The message of the gospel does not change, however, the language in which that message is communicated is constantly changing. Reverse Mentoring can be a great resource for you as you adapt your communication to match that of generations to come.