What makes the dancing stop?

 Last weekend the church I attended sang a song from at least a decade ago.

It was… underwhelming.

Now, there was nothing wrong with the song.

The music was performed more than adequately.

The singing was to the usual high standard.

But, compared to then energy the song used to generate, it was now just… meh.

A similar problem arises, I imagine, for a song like One Way, Jesus.

By now, the clapping is less energised.

The dancing is more subdued, maybe even ceased.

But, this transitioning of the way songs are sung gets me thinking about music from today and a generation (or more) ago.

Do we consider that, in time, the buzz around the most energised worship sin will eventually subside?

Equally, are we mindful that the dullest song from the hymn book - potentially - held a similar energetic vibe when it was sung for the first few times?

really, it all boils down to this…  after being played for over a decade, has a song lost the energy it had or is it just that those who grew up singing the tune lost their vibrancy?

Did the World Wars kick off the gender gap within the pews?

Over the last five weeks I’ve been teaching my year 9 history class about World War 1. As we conclude the unit we’ve been looking at the lasting consequences of the conflict and the impact upon those who returned and the fallout from the vacancies caused by those who never returned home.

Needless to say, the war was devastating.

World War 2 more so.

I wonder, in light of the detestation that was inflicted on a generation of men, how did this impact the church?

For, every church (which is old enough) has a plaque to two commemorating the names of the fallen from their congregation.

Is this, in reality, the pinpoint that the gender gap emerged within the church?

For, if a third of all me fell in combat, what legacy did this leave for the demographics within the pews?

Once children didn’t see as many males at church on a Sunday, at least across a generation or two, did this actually set in motion the trend for women to dominate the numbers within the church?

Does youth ministry feed the the gender imbalance or just prepare you for it?

I first entered a church youth group when I was 12.

Over the next six years the group changed a lot over the high school years.

It grew. It shrank.

By the end, I was the only guy left in a group of around eight.

Now, my home church did youth ministry in a slightly unique manner.

For us, each year group would meet separately on a different afternoon after school.

But, the dynamics of my group were not uncommon.

The majority of the groups were female heavy.

Generally, this was also reflected in the youth groups I led, especially over the senior high years. More girls. Less boys.

The gender statistics in the average church will be around 60:40 (women:men). So, for those who emerge from youth ministry, these female loaded demographics won’t be unfamiliar.

But, I wonder, does the male:female breakdown reflect the wider church OR is this where the gender imbalance germinates?

After a few generations of youth ministry, has the gender ratio of churches been cemented within youth ministries?

Or, does youth ministry just coincidental prepare those within it for the church dynamics which lay ahead?

What do you do with a bible you are throwing out?

Last week there was a “controversy” in a small corner of the internet.

Someone, rather innocently, dared to ask what you should with a bible you are going to throw away.

With the internet being the place of gentleness that it is, keyboards quickly armed themselves with digital flamethrowers.

Some said that you could simply dispose of a bible, like you would any book. Recycle it thoughtfully. 

These people were declared heretics.

Others said that you should do everything to preserve the pages of scripture.

These people were declared heretics.

A few dared to share that you could use the bible creatively and utilise the pages in a mural or artwork.

These people were declared heretics.

Personally, I have thrown away bibles in a range of contexts. 

When I’ve moved, and downsized my library, some bibles haven’t survived the transition.

I’ve worked at churches where, due to overuse, age or teenage enthusiasm, bibles needed to be replaced.

After a few decades of being a Christian I’ve had a few bibles which have been retired.

I don’t think it’s that big an issue.

Put simply, don’t treat the bible disrespectfully. But, at the same time, recognise that it is just a book made up on ink and paper.

The bible, in itself, holds no special power. It may be sentimental, but the bible isn’t the equivalent of an Infinity Stone.

The message within hold the power.

Frankly, my phone holds these words. In fact, my phone contains far more bibles than any bookshelf or most churches. And, I’ll dispose of an old phone without a second thought to my “precious” bible app.

Ideally, if a bible is in good condition, you can hopefully find a way to ensure your old bible can be placed in the hands of another. You donate it. You give it away.

Ultimately, you don’t burn the old bible or kick it down the street, but I’m not offended in the least by someone placing their old bible in the recycling bin.

Why you shouldn’t ride solo

Last week I went to a training day for early teachers.

And it was… boring.

Despite the decent content.

Despite the engaging presenters.

Despite the nice people hosting.

Despite the lovely location.

It. Was. Boring.

Why?

Because I was there alone.

I travelled in alone.

I sat alone.

I ate lunch alone.

I left alone.

But, this wasn’t the worst thing. As an introvert, being without constant company is something I can contently live with.

The worst thing about being alone was what I missed out on. 

There was no one to constructively chat with.

No one to contextualise what you heard.

No one to bounce ideas off.

No one to hear their perspective.

No one to point out the odd things you notice.

And, this absence cheapens the experience.

For, others widen your experience.

It doesn’t matter if it is an educational training event, the University tutorial or a church service. Others enhance your enjoyment and engagement.

Truely, it was not good for this man to be alone… and riding solo is something I’d seek to avoid in the future.

Being on the other side of scripture teaching

When I was a youth minister I taught a lot of scripture in local school. A lot.

At the school I currently teach at the scripture timetable was just released for the term ahead.

Frankly, it’s annoying. It’s inconvenient. It’s a little unpopular.

And, I’ve been on the verge of complaining about the effect it will have on my classes.

But, that would make me a massive hypocrite.

Why? 

Because, when I was the scripture teacher, I expected that the school would accomodate scripture. 

Now, I can’t whinge that I’m the one who needs to step aside.

And, if I think that scripture served/serves an important purpose, then I need to be prepared to allow that to cost me a timetabled lesson.

Even if it means that I need to bite my tongue in the staff room and be prepared  wear the heat for an interrupted timetable.

The turning up when nothing is on is a step of commitment

Events draw people in. 

They provide the perfect reason to invite a newbie.

It is true for church and youth group.

We love an evangelistic excuse.

Unfortunately, “it’s Sunday” isn’t a particular significant occasion.

They’re ordinary.

Having a new person turn up on a spectacular occasion is excellent. Anyone darkening the church door for the first time is great.

Having them turn up again is even better. 

But, having them turn up when nothing significant is on is game-changing. For, now, the new person is attending because of something deeper than the special event. This is an important leap of commitment.