Week I: Response to Annie McClaren Blog

Annie's thoughts about kids skateboarding at the church bring up a difficult topic: what do we do when two cultural realities conflict? Annie's argument (and mine too) as a youth worker would be - if we don't let these kids skate on church grounds, we are essentially telling them they are not wanted here. Meanwhile, the church is dealing with the cultural reality of the litigious society we live in. In other words, the church is thinking - if we do allow them to skate here, we open ourselves up to possible serious injury and negligence in injuring a child. This could result in a lawsuit and subsequent harm to the ministry of the church. Both viewpoints have some validity to them. I came from a church that had a kid rupture his spleen in a snowtubing accident - it was a double-tragedy. The kid was seriously injured and the church was sued and paid an enormous sum of money that hurt both the reputation and the ability of the church to minister because of financial difficulty.
Here's the big problem: The above conversation DOES NOT happen at most churches on this level. In my experience, there is no effort to really brainstorm as a team and determine, "What is the best way to do this?" Surely, there are creative solutions out there that would honor the needs of the church and its ministry, recognizing these kids, skateboards and all, ARE its ministry.