Comments on: What Do You Like About Upward Soccer?

By: Glen Woods

Glen Woods — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:05:06 +0000

I currently am writing a dissertation entitled, “Praxis of Nurture in Small Churches.” I am focusing on parental responsibility for child spiritual formation. I do give some limited treatment of mission latter in the book. It is possible, however, that I may write some article or book pertaining to mission in the future. It is definitely something I am passionate about. In fact I am motivated to pursue the issue of parental responsibility in my church in order to generate freedom to pursue mission in my community. Call me an stark raving idealist, but I think it makes for a win-win situation, the kind where disciple-making disciples are formed in the context of godly homes with the support of the local church, thereby better enabling us to be effective missionaries where we live.

By: Tony Kummer

Tony Kummer — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:41:56 +0000

@ Glen: I appreciate your comments as always, definitely a lot to think about there. I will admit that we’re stuck in a very “attraction” versus “missional” paradigm.

Aren’t you writing a book on this or something?

By: Glen Woods

Glen Woods — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 02:05:45 +0000

Hey Tony,

It’s been a long time since I have commented here. I do a basketball night every Wednesday with my neighborhood kids. It lasts until Nov. 19. I think I understand your concern about the challenges you cite above. However, isn’t it cool that you get to interact with these kids in an environment they understand? Namely soccer, of course. Think of it as building common ground with them. This will lead to relationships with the children and their guardians as it is done consistently over the course of the program. I know it is frustrating that so many of them don’t seem to have integrated into the church yet. I experience similar concerns, although I do have about ten children that continue to come consistently, most of them younger kids.

I would like to suggest an alternative point of view to trying to get children to attend the church’s programs, if I may. At the end of your blog post you said:

“Bottom line – Upward Soccer is a great tool to bring hundreds of children into your minsitries. It won’t solve all your churches problems, but it can make a difference in the lives of many children.”

What if we changed our goal? What if our goal was to bring ourselves into the daily lives of hundreds of children and their families? What implication might this have for our churches? In my view, it changes the impetus from staffing programs to training and unleashing families to make a difference daily in their neighborhoods. I think programs such as Upward can continue to be wonderful catalysts to make this happen. The reality is that some children will never step foot in the church simply on the basis of a sports program. There is no incentive for them. They and their parents may not see the value of religious instruction. Or they are adherents to a different faith, such as Islam, as is the case in one of the families to whom I have been reaching out.

Anyway, great post. Keep wrestling with the issues. I think you are a strong leader who is grappling with culture shifts in how people view the church. So don’t be too hard on yourself. Oh, wait. Now I am talking to myself as well. :) Blessings!