A Time for “When In Doubt, Do!”
There’s an old adage that is typically good life advice: “When in doubt, don’t.” The idea is basically that, if you are confronted with a moral question and you aren’t sure about what to choose, choose not to do it. It’s sort of like saying “err on the side of caution,” but it is good advice much of the time. “Should I watch this movie? I know it has some language in it…” If you’re in doubt, don’t.
However, there are other situations in life when maybe we need to take the opposite advice. I want to share one of those with you that has to do with church activities.
A lot of congregations are still trying to decide about the best way to come out of covid shutdowns and slowdowns. Elderships are still having to make hard decisions and not everyone is going to be comfortable with every choice, of course. That is understandable, and we can agree that there are still going to be some hurdles to jump going forward.
But, may I throw this idea out there: when it comes to “regular” events that were taken away in 2020 from our children and young people, when it doubt, DO.
Should we have a VBS even though some still aren’t coming and our numbers will be low? YES.
Should we allow our young people to attend a summer camp? YES.
Should we plan a youth retreat for the fall even though we don’t know how things will be? YES.
Should we be having youth devos and service projects even though some families are not comfortable with it (and are even quite vocal about it)? YES.
Why? It is not to rub it in the face of anyone. It is not to try to “show up” people who are not coming.
It is because these children do not need a second summer–and possibly fall or more–taken away from them. If we continue to not let our youth group be together, how long will it take to build a group mentality back? If we continue to say “no” simply out of discomfort and fear, how can we teach them to be bold and step out in faith?
Again, some will not come (and may not for awhile). If they are being consistent in their choices, we can respect that. But we are far past the time where the fears of a few should take away from the spiritual growth and connectivity of our precious children and young people. When those kids come back, we will welcome them and do all we can to re-engage their children, also. But it is way past time that we filled our calendars again with all that makes a youth group healthy and vibrant and spiritually engaging.
Elders, youth deacons, parents…whoever is working on the youth programs and calendars: When in doubt, DO! Let’s go!!!
To Receive Every Article from A Legacy of Faith through Email for Free, Click Here
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
