Youth group excuses

A while back I did a post about excuses people give for skipping church. Similarly, the longer you deal with teenagers the more excuses you hear for them not attending youth group.

They are getting ready for an event the following day...
They have their birthday party...
Or a friend’s birthday party...
Or a random party they got invited to...
Or it's a family member’s birthday...
They need to study...
They have assignments...
They are too tired...
They are grounded...
They had a really big week at school...
Their friend isn't coming...
They are on a date...
They broke up with someone who might be at youth group...
They are having a fight with someone who might be at youth group...
They just "aren't feeling it anymore"...
They "aren't being fed"...
They say the "group has changed from how it used to be"...
They are "just having the week off"...
And on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on...


I mentioned here that one of my reflection criteria was attendance. My aim is to have any teen at youth group 80% of the term.

I use 80% because it is a reasonable indicator of commitment, but stuff comes up. Some of the above excuses are genuine and unavoidable. Sometimes they really to need to be dong an assignment or it is their Mum's birthday.

But sometimes the excuses are just that. Nothing more than an excuse.

So, why does it matter if they attend?
First, because believers are to meet together on a regular basis for encouragement and support.
Second, youth group gives them a place to ask questions and grow in their faith.
Third, youth group gives them an opportunity to serve and be an example to one another.
And finally, youth group should be a place where there are people (particularly adults) who and interested and care about them.