While I'm no Goliath, I'm the average 6-foot, 70-kilo/130-pound guy.
In high school, I was a shrimp - not truely hitting my growth spurt till I'd graduated - with big friends. While I was ostracised to the front row in school photos, those in the back row were giants.
As a result of my physique, while I might not be the biggest guy in the room, I can't think of an occasion when I've been physically intimidated in a youth group or scripture class.
But, then again, I'm not a petite 5-foot woman.
When faced with a class where half could tower over you, are you aware of it? Does it affect the way you discipline?
When it comes to youth groups which play games, is it intimidating? Are you aware of the size difference when having difficult conversations?
As an average bloke, these thoughts almost never go through my mind.
If things ever got out of hand, I was confident that I'd be ok.
Additionally, I've always been fairly slim.
If you were of a larger carriage/obese/fat (select whichever term you want), would that be in your mind?
Would you be self conscious in front of students?
Would you be afraid that you were being made fun of (which we did to some of our teachers at school)?
At worst, in starting to lose my hair and have a broken nose. These issues don't plague me (at least outwardly!).
But, I wonder, what role does physical stature play in the role of youth ministers or teachers?
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