I don't normally do reposts, but it is Easter Sunday and this post (and the series that goes with it) is appropriate.
Rejecting Easter.
DISCLAIMER: ALL RAMBLINGS ARE MY OWN. THEY IN NO WAY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF ANY CHURCH OR ORGANISATION THAT I HAVE WORKED FOR OR AM CURRENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH...
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Why do they call Good Friday Good?
A day when a completely good... absolutely innocent man... was betrayed by one of his closest friends... abandoned by all... endured a fixed court case... with false witnesses... with no presumption of innocence... held under the cover of darkness... prosecuted by the wrong person... with no defence entered or allowed... was beaten... spat on... whipped... tortured... overlooked for a murdered... who heard those who cheered Him then cry for His death... who had to transport His own death implement... held to it by five inch nails... stripped naked... mocked by those who passed by... insulted by those who orchestrated his murder and those who were killed beside him... who endured an excruciating ordeal... dying a death reserved for the lowest of the low... the worst of the worst... a demise off limits for those under Caesar... the victim, in Jewish eyes, being cursed by God... who in his own words was FORSAKEN BY GOD…
It was the ultimate injustice. Before his own mother, a son, a friend, a teacher, the King, the Messiah, the SON OF GOD was killed. The day the bread of life was broken and the blood of the Lamb spilt.
WHY DO WE CALL THIS DAY GOOD???
The only reason we can dare call this day Good is because of what it achieved. It tore down the division between humanity and God.
The results of Jesus’ death and resurrection are the reason we celebrate Easter and can call Good Friday Good.
It was the ultimate injustice. Before his own mother, a son, a friend, a teacher, the King, the Messiah, the SON OF GOD was killed. The day the bread of life was broken and the blood of the Lamb spilt.
WHY DO WE CALL THIS DAY GOOD???
The only reason we can dare call this day Good is because of what it achieved. It tore down the division between humanity and God.
The results of Jesus’ death and resurrection are the reason we celebrate Easter and can call Good Friday Good.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Odd biblical bits
Some parts of the bible are weird... And dangerously amusing to share... And disturbingly confusing.
Example #1? Leviticus 22:24.
Question: Who's job was it to check that? Poor bloke. Poor animal.
Example #2? Deuteronomy 25:11-12.
I shared this with a few teenagers today (is that wrong?).
Question: How many times did this have to occur before God determined there needed to be a law about it? I think once is too often.
Example #1? Leviticus 22:24.
Question: Who's job was it to check that? Poor bloke. Poor animal.
Example #2? Deuteronomy 25:11-12.
I shared this with a few teenagers today (is that wrong?).
Question: How many times did this have to occur before God determined there needed to be a law about it? I think once is too often.
Do you wanna...?
Are you here cause you want to hear from God?
I imagine this would be a dangerous statement to kick off church over the Easter weekend.
Church attendance will swell over the next few days, but the reason will have little to do with "wanting to hear what God has to say and how it can influence their lives."
It will have to do with tradition. Or keeping up appearances. Or smoothing things over with the family.
What would happen if the idea of God communicating with people was placed squarely at the centre of the Easter service invitation?
If you gave people the choice that they will hear what God has to say about their life, unless they leave in the next two minutes, how many people would vacate?
Equally, would the result be any different if you said it prior to any other service?
I imagine this would be a dangerous statement to kick off church over the Easter weekend.
Church attendance will swell over the next few days, but the reason will have little to do with "wanting to hear what God has to say and how it can influence their lives."
It will have to do with tradition. Or keeping up appearances. Or smoothing things over with the family.
What would happen if the idea of God communicating with people was placed squarely at the centre of the Easter service invitation?
If you gave people the choice that they will hear what God has to say about their life, unless they leave in the next two minutes, how many people would vacate?
Equally, would the result be any different if you said it prior to any other service?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sneaky clock watching
My current church didn't have a clock in the sanctuary until a month ago.
Then I put one in. It sits in a nook which can be clearly seen from the front, but Isn't visible by the choir or attention grabbing from the rest of church.
The reason for this was simple. I struggled to keep my talks within the short time frame of the chapel services and loosing track of time was the preventable cause.
But the motive for adding the time piece was beyond mid-week chapel and extended to Sunday services.
No one enjoys a service that drags on. A clock is the easy fix. I am stunned that every church doesn't have a manner to keep track of time.
It sends the clear message that the time of those in the congregation is important. It sends the message that their time is valuable. It honours the time that we share on a Sunday.
And hopefully it means the demise of 60 minute diatribes and two hour services.
Then I put one in. It sits in a nook which can be clearly seen from the front, but Isn't visible by the choir or attention grabbing from the rest of church.
The reason for this was simple. I struggled to keep my talks within the short time frame of the chapel services and loosing track of time was the preventable cause.
But the motive for adding the time piece was beyond mid-week chapel and extended to Sunday services.
No one enjoys a service that drags on. A clock is the easy fix. I am stunned that every church doesn't have a manner to keep track of time.
It sends the clear message that the time of those in the congregation is important. It sends the message that their time is valuable. It honours the time that we share on a Sunday.
And hopefully it means the demise of 60 minute diatribes and two hour services.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Rockin' my church boat
Today I was asked what "rocked my boat" when it comes to church.
It took me a while to answer the question.
But the reply that I eventually scrapped up was this...
My boat is rocked by good church services.
Regular, week after week, reliable, quality church.
Not gimmicks. Not mind-bending creativity. Not "new expressions of faith communities."
Just run-of-the-mill church with the predicable expectation that it will be good. If I went to a church where that happened, it would rock my boat.
It took me a while to answer the question.
But the reply that I eventually scrapped up was this...
My boat is rocked by good church services.
Regular, week after week, reliable, quality church.
Not gimmicks. Not mind-bending creativity. Not "new expressions of faith communities."
Just run-of-the-mill church with the predicable expectation that it will be good. If I went to a church where that happened, it would rock my boat.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Palm efforts
It's Palm Sunday, so... once again... we made Palm crosses.
As we wound our way towards this Sunday we also did another Palm Sunday ritual.
Asking the congregation for Palm Branches.
The annual request and angst over acquiring palm branches made me wonder...
Do we put more effort into obtaining branches from a tree than we put into planning the actual church service?
As we wound our way towards this Sunday we also did another Palm Sunday ritual.
Asking the congregation for Palm Branches.
The annual request and angst over acquiring palm branches made me wonder...
Do we put more effort into obtaining branches from a tree than we put into planning the actual church service?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Sharktopus
The navy have genetically engineered the perfect weapon. A shark/octopus hybrid... A SHARKTOPUS. What could possibly go wrong?
In the footsteps of Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus and Mega Piranha...
In the footsteps of Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus and Mega Piranha...
Friday, April 15, 2011
Voice credibility
One unique thing about this week, since I'm on holidays and have barely left the house, is the silence. In ministry you hear a lot of voices. Some opinions are useful and well meaning, others are less so. But what gives a voice credibility? What needs to be weighed up when deciding if a viewpoint is feasible?
- What is their perspective? Do they see what happens behind the scenes? Does the person understand what you are trying to achieve?
- Do they give balanced feedback, or are they predominately negative/positive?
- Are they personally invested in the ministry?
- Does the person want you to get better?
- Does the person care for you and the ministry?
- Is the person angry at you or something in the ministry? Is this clouding their view?
- What is the persons history with you and the ministry?
- Finally... and equally as important... is what they said true? Or at least have a hint of truth that can be learned from?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Buckshot and lasers
When things go well the results and praise should be spread like buckshot.
In light of success, the congratulations should be generously spread far and wide. Churches will often claim that "we" did that.
But, when things go pear-shaped, the results can be like a laser. They are focused in on a singular or select few people to blame. A church can turn and claim that it was "their idea".
This is one of the dangers of leadership. You risk putting yourself in the sights of peoples laser-blame.
In light of success, the congratulations should be generously spread far and wide. Churches will often claim that "we" did that.
But, when things go pear-shaped, the results can be like a laser. They are focused in on a singular or select few people to blame. A church can turn and claim that it was "their idea".
This is one of the dangers of leadership. You risk putting yourself in the sights of peoples laser-blame.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Random Graham
I previously mentioned a blog here which also has a post tiled "100 truths about me." I'm not inspired enough to write 100, but wanted to give you a greater insight into who I am and the list I came up with this morning was...
1. My first ever sermon was given at Katoomba Anglican Church. The passage was Hebrews 12:1-2. I had the entire sermon memorised.
2. My first pet, a bird named Sam, was found hung in his plastic ladder by my sister when she was around 10 years old. He is still buried in the back garden with the ladder around his neck.
3. I've owned three cars in my life. Cecil, Gerald and Big Red. Gerald was crap.
4. I've kept a daily diary for the last 14 years.
5. I chew quietly to myself when I sleep. I'm told, so does my sister. It must be a genetic thing...
6. My first kiss was in a park. Her name was Rachel.
7. My first kiss was my wife was on a dance floor. A seedy, seedy dance floor.
8. The place my parents got married is now a car park.
9. I went on schoolies three times.
10. I returned from my first schoolies with bright yellow hair.
11. Subsequently, I had bright yellow hair on my 18+ proof-of-age card.
12. My first cat never died. He just disappeared.
13. I used to wear one hard contact lens in my left eye.
14. I wore glasses in primary school. To help strengthen my lazy right eye I had a yellow smiley patch over my left. The look was not attractive.
15. I almost always cry when I watch Forrest Gump or the final episode of M.A.S.H.
16. I've kept all the letters my wife has ever written me in my bedside table.
17. I still have the sign in sheet from my first week at youth group. I was in year 6.
18. I once had the name Graham Baldcock on a boarding pass. When this is a rugby trip, the name sticks.
19. When I was a teenager I cut up a heap of my childhood photos to make a collage for Mum. I never did make the collage.
20. When I was a kid I slept with a seal.
21. I used to be deathly afraid of Freddy Kruger as a kid. I watched "Nightmare on Elm Street 3" at my sister's birthday party.
22. I can name every WWF/E champion from 1978 to approx 1999. I can also name every Wrestlemania main event for the first 20 years.
23. My Mum would stroke my nose to put me to sleep. It still works to this day.
24. My first job was working at a deli.
25. I had the name "weasel" on the back of my year 12 jersey.
26. I sing in the shower.
27. It annoys me that I can't pronounce my name.
28. When I cry at my child's birth it will be as much about become a father as it will be that my Dad won't be around to see it.
29. I flirted with the idea of getting tongue surgery to fix my speech impediment.
30. I only had one girl friend before dating my wife.
31. I used to steal cigarettes from Mum and Dad to smoke at the park in year 6.
32. I used to steal loose chance from Dad to buy micro machines.
33. My two favourite authors are Agatha Christie and Valerio Massimo Manfredi.
34. I have a chipped tooth. I chipped it biting into a chocolate freckle.
35. I can't ride a bicycle.
36. I couldn't swim confidently until I was 17.
37. I've read through the entire bible twice. The first time took me 1 year, 8 months, 10 days.
38. I've never been in a fight.
39. As a kid, I once put a knife into a toaster. There were sparks.
40. Years ago, I got a mobile phone from Dad when mine stopped working. It still has a video he took of my niece. You can hear my Dad's voice in the background. I miss his laugh.
41. My Dad and I both got snooker cues for my 21st. I beat him at snooker. Often.
42. I once broke a water pipe connected to someones water meter. I just kept walking.
43. I was paralysed for a short time when I was hit over the head with a pillow.
44. I've had my appendix removed. And three of my wisdom teeth.
45. I've never used a razor to shave my face.
1. My first ever sermon was given at Katoomba Anglican Church. The passage was Hebrews 12:1-2. I had the entire sermon memorised.
2. My first pet, a bird named Sam, was found hung in his plastic ladder by my sister when she was around 10 years old. He is still buried in the back garden with the ladder around his neck.
3. I've owned three cars in my life. Cecil, Gerald and Big Red. Gerald was crap.
4. I've kept a daily diary for the last 14 years.
5. I chew quietly to myself when I sleep. I'm told, so does my sister. It must be a genetic thing...
6. My first kiss was in a park. Her name was Rachel.
7. My first kiss was my wife was on a dance floor. A seedy, seedy dance floor.
8. The place my parents got married is now a car park.
9. I went on schoolies three times.
10. I returned from my first schoolies with bright yellow hair.
11. Subsequently, I had bright yellow hair on my 18+ proof-of-age card.
12. My first cat never died. He just disappeared.
13. I used to wear one hard contact lens in my left eye.
14. I wore glasses in primary school. To help strengthen my lazy right eye I had a yellow smiley patch over my left. The look was not attractive.
15. I almost always cry when I watch Forrest Gump or the final episode of M.A.S.H.
16. I've kept all the letters my wife has ever written me in my bedside table.
17. I still have the sign in sheet from my first week at youth group. I was in year 6.
18. I once had the name Graham Baldcock on a boarding pass. When this is a rugby trip, the name sticks.
19. When I was a teenager I cut up a heap of my childhood photos to make a collage for Mum. I never did make the collage.
20. When I was a kid I slept with a seal.
21. I used to be deathly afraid of Freddy Kruger as a kid. I watched "Nightmare on Elm Street 3" at my sister's birthday party.
22. I can name every WWF/E champion from 1978 to approx 1999. I can also name every Wrestlemania main event for the first 20 years.
23. My Mum would stroke my nose to put me to sleep. It still works to this day.
24. My first job was working at a deli.
25. I had the name "weasel" on the back of my year 12 jersey.
26. I sing in the shower.
27. It annoys me that I can't pronounce my name.
28. When I cry at my child's birth it will be as much about become a father as it will be that my Dad won't be around to see it.
29. I flirted with the idea of getting tongue surgery to fix my speech impediment.
30. I only had one girl friend before dating my wife.
31. I used to steal cigarettes from Mum and Dad to smoke at the park in year 6.
32. I used to steal loose chance from Dad to buy micro machines.
33. My two favourite authors are Agatha Christie and Valerio Massimo Manfredi.
34. I have a chipped tooth. I chipped it biting into a chocolate freckle.
35. I can't ride a bicycle.
36. I couldn't swim confidently until I was 17.
37. I've read through the entire bible twice. The first time took me 1 year, 8 months, 10 days.
38. I've never been in a fight.
39. As a kid, I once put a knife into a toaster. There were sparks.
40. Years ago, I got a mobile phone from Dad when mine stopped working. It still has a video he took of my niece. You can hear my Dad's voice in the background. I miss his laugh.
41. My Dad and I both got snooker cues for my 21st. I beat him at snooker. Often.
42. I once broke a water pipe connected to someones water meter. I just kept walking.
43. I was paralysed for a short time when I was hit over the head with a pillow.
44. I've had my appendix removed. And three of my wisdom teeth.
45. I've never used a razor to shave my face.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Hosts vs Gatekeepers
Last week I was chatting to a minister who mentioned a question that transformed a meeting over chair/pew selection. The question was... "When a guest enters your home, what do you do?"
This enquiry changed the tone of the potentially combustible meeting since everyone had their viewpoint switched from gatekeepers to hosts.
As a host, their focus is on the guest. They are mindful of the visitor's comfort.
As a gatekeeper, their focus is on themselves. They are mindful of maintaining the status quo and their comfort. So, are the doors of most churches, manned by hosts of gatekeepers???
This enquiry changed the tone of the potentially combustible meeting since everyone had their viewpoint switched from gatekeepers to hosts.
As a host, their focus is on the guest. They are mindful of the visitor's comfort.
As a gatekeeper, their focus is on themselves. They are mindful of maintaining the status quo and their comfort. So, are the doors of most churches, manned by hosts of gatekeepers???
Monday, April 11, 2011
Bursting the bubble
My wife and are are in a demographic that is coveted by most churches.
We are in our twenties and married. Whenever we go to a church where we are unknown, the eyes of the greeters and ministry staff light up.
And inevitably we need to burst the guest bubble and inform those at the church that we aren't actually looking to join the church, but are visiting since I'm on holidays.
The whole situation reminds me a tad of dating. Someone attractive is spotted, they flirt a little, and then it is disappointingly discovered that one person is in a relationship.
We are in our twenties and married. Whenever we go to a church where we are unknown, the eyes of the greeters and ministry staff light up.
And inevitably we need to burst the guest bubble and inform those at the church that we aren't actually looking to join the church, but are visiting since I'm on holidays.
The whole situation reminds me a tad of dating. Someone attractive is spotted, they flirt a little, and then it is disappointingly discovered that one person is in a relationship.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Holiday church?
I'm in ministry, on holidays and it's a Sunday. I face a dilemma...
Do I go to church? Which church do I go to? One where I'm known, or one where I'll be anonymous?
It's interesting that often those up the front of church stress the importance of service attendance, but when they have holidays, they toss up whether to attend themselves. We are tempted by the same option to "have the week off" which irritates us when our congregation members do it.
It's odd that we would not see the amazing opportunity to just sit in a church service and be fed, not needing to "be on." To my advantage, I have my home church nearby. I can turn up, feel comfortable, welcomed and (importantly for my point tomorrow) recognised.
Do I go to church? Which church do I go to? One where I'm known, or one where I'll be anonymous?
It's interesting that often those up the front of church stress the importance of service attendance, but when they have holidays, they toss up whether to attend themselves. We are tempted by the same option to "have the week off" which irritates us when our congregation members do it.
It's odd that we would not see the amazing opportunity to just sit in a church service and be fed, not needing to "be on." To my advantage, I have my home church nearby. I can turn up, feel comfortable, welcomed and (importantly for my point tomorrow) recognised.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Problem input
I'm on holidays for the next week and I can't be happier. As the term wound down I was getting more and more ready for some time off as stress started to emerge.
During the week, at another two days of the leadership intensive that I'm attending, we spoke about weighing up they way that problems are fed. They suggested that, when faced with a problem, you form three groups. Facts, Gossip and Imagined.
Some input that you process is based on fact. The details are certain and confirmed.
Some input is secondary, based on hearsay and rumor.
Finally, some input is based solely in our imagination and false assumptions.
Troubles often arise and are nourished by the two later groups. Perhaps, if we focused on the first group, we would sleep better at night...
During the week, at another two days of the leadership intensive that I'm attending, we spoke about weighing up they way that problems are fed. They suggested that, when faced with a problem, you form three groups. Facts, Gossip and Imagined.
Some input that you process is based on fact. The details are certain and confirmed.
Some input is secondary, based on hearsay and rumor.
Finally, some input is based solely in our imagination and false assumptions.
Troubles often arise and are nourished by the two later groups. Perhaps, if we focused on the first group, we would sleep better at night...
Friday, April 8, 2011
Square shoulds for a round hole
I SHOULD do a lot.
I should have more kids on a Friday night.
I should be a more captivating speaker.
I should have more blog readers (I love you all!!!).
I should be more popular.
I should be able to play the guitar. And play 500.
I should be like Doug Fields. Or Rick Warren. Or Bill Hybels. Or Brian Houston. Or the youth minister down the street with the successful youth ministry.
These are just some of the things that the voice inside my head says I SHOULD be. And whenever I rate myself against this scale I fall woefully short.
The reason? I often have the wrong sized "shoulds" for who I am meant to be and where God has placed me to minister.
Really, the only thing I should be is who God made, shaped and calls me to be. It is not to be Doug. It is not to be Rick. It is not to be Bill. It is not to be Brian.
It is to be Graham. That is who I SHOULD be...
I should have more kids on a Friday night.
I should be a more captivating speaker.
I should have more blog readers (I love you all!!!).
I should be more popular.
I should be able to play the guitar. And play 500.
I should be like Doug Fields. Or Rick Warren. Or Bill Hybels. Or Brian Houston. Or the youth minister down the street with the successful youth ministry.
These are just some of the things that the voice inside my head says I SHOULD be. And whenever I rate myself against this scale I fall woefully short.
The reason? I often have the wrong sized "shoulds" for who I am meant to be and where God has placed me to minister.
Really, the only thing I should be is who God made, shaped and calls me to be. It is not to be Doug. It is not to be Rick. It is not to be Bill. It is not to be Brian.
It is to be Graham. That is who I SHOULD be...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Yesterday's extra-ordinary
As time goes by your memory sands the extraordinary-ness from the past. Imagine...
Today... THAT WAS AMAZING. LIFE CHANGING. NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!
The day after... Yesterday was great.
A month later... Oh, I remember that day, it was really good.
A year later... That day was memorable. Just.
If you made a list of all the amazing things that God has done in your life, or that you've seen Him do, you would probably be surprised. If you're like me, you've forgotten many things that, at the time, were amazing. But, as time has lapsed, they have lost their shine. They have become... ordinary.
Chances are, what was extraordinary at the time, will be remembered as the ordinary of yesterday.
Today... THAT WAS AMAZING. LIFE CHANGING. NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!
The day after... Yesterday was great.
A month later... Oh, I remember that day, it was really good.
A year later... That day was memorable. Just.
If you made a list of all the amazing things that God has done in your life, or that you've seen Him do, you would probably be surprised. If you're like me, you've forgotten many things that, at the time, were amazing. But, as time has lapsed, they have lost their shine. They have become... ordinary.
Chances are, what was extraordinary at the time, will be remembered as the ordinary of yesterday.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
And... yeah... Amen
While reviewing the sermon from Sunday morning with the Minister of the Word at church (which we do after most services) I mentioned a pet hate of mine.
Actually, it was something that majorly got under my skin at my home church, but was on display last Sunday. The sermon trailed off with an... ah... yeah... amen.
It reminded me of the three most important parts of the sermon to prepare and practice.
The start – To get you off to a comprehensible, solid, confident beginning.
Transitions between points – To give the sermon good flow.
The end – To finish with a bang, not a whimper.
Actually, it was something that majorly got under my skin at my home church, but was on display last Sunday. The sermon trailed off with an... ah... yeah... amen.
It reminded me of the three most important parts of the sermon to prepare and practice.
The start – To get you off to a comprehensible, solid, confident beginning.
Transitions between points – To give the sermon good flow.
The end – To finish with a bang, not a whimper.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Graham:Jesi
For the next few days I play one of the Jesus characters in the churches Easter Experience. I am Anglo Jesi, which adds to the complement of Spanish, Indian and Asian Jesi. Check out the promo, shot a few years ago.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
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.
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.
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