Why I Hate Crew
I had a great meeting with the local youth pastors today, and we talked about a ton of topics. One topic we discussed is how we all hated sports, especially crew. Not that we hate the sport itself, but rather the impact that it has on youth ministry.
In South Jersey, crew is quickly becoming a popular high school sport. It is becoming as popular as football, soccer, and field hockey in most schools. It is just as intensive as those sports, both in physical fitness and in time commitment. Students participating in crew practice for 7 days a week for 4 months. This is a serious chunk of time to devote to a sport, especially when it diverts a student from attending youth group or Sunday morning service.
For 4 months, these students are away from the youth group, small group, Sunday services, and overall fellowship with other Christian believers. Instead, they are spending 7 days a week with the team, which may be a great thing for students at Christian Schools. But for the most part, these 4 months can quickly become filled with problems and negative influences. Just because these students are not actively involved in your ministry this season, does that mean you forget them? I think not.
For over-committed students in your ministry, regardless of whether they are in sports, band, job, or drama, keeping tabs on their spiritual health is important. Ministering to these students might take more creativity (such as early morning or off-night activities), more time (attending games/plays/concerts/whatever crew does-races?), or more effort (meeting students on their time). However, you are showing these students you care for them. You show them they are more than just a warm body in the youth ministry; they are a person that you care about.
Just because busy students don’t show up to youth group doesn’t mean they don’t want to be there. You are meeting them on their ground. You are putting people over programs.
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