3 Reasons Youth Basketball Is Better Than Church
I am kinda the last Boy Scout. I am definitely one of the last pilots of the last male-only squadron of the USAF. And I think my generation was the last one which didn’t turn youth sports into the all-consuming beast that it is.
I’ve mentioned how easily my own 12 year old went from 2 practices a week and five tournaments in 12 weeks, to Mon-Fri practices/games, in addition to the 5 weekend tournaments. It’s been crazy.
I’ve also mentioned how my attempts to join a church have been actively rebuffed. One church’s staff member actually told me I could watch but not speak at their Wednesday night youth service. Another church’s head deacon invited me to coffee to suggest now isn’t the time to join his church.
Keep in mind that I have a “Graduate Certificate In Biblical Studies” which means that I certainly care and also that I certainly have studied the Bible and Christian History (history and philosophy in general too) more than any rural Christian member (or Pastor) ever could dream to have. (Only slight hyperbole.)
I have done light internet research into the topic, “Youth Sports are better than church” and the only or main results are articles written by Christians which offer tips on how to navigate the two worlds.
That said, it’s time someone tell the truth.
Here are three reasons youth basketball is better than church.
1. Basketball is fun.
Attend any youth or children’s activity at a protestant Christian church and you’ll find adults trying to make said activity fun. Well, with basketball, it is fun.
2. Basketball, win or lose, instills youths with desirable life skills.
Attend any youth or children’s activity at a protestant Christian church and you’ll find adults trying to persuade kids that the Bible has eternal life skills within it. Well, with basketball, life skills (perseverance, growth, not to mention hand-eye coordination) appear like wetness with water. No advocate needed.
3. Basketball games provide a perfectly indirect (safe) way to make new friends, both for kids and parents (me).
Attend any youth or children’s activity at a protestant church and you will not find parents. If any parents are there, they are too occupied to talk, what with making speeches to kids that church is fun, and that church will endow them with life skills.
Put simply, as a Christian man and parent, now that I’m involved, honestly, I am not afraid to report that youth basketball is better than church. Sometimes the games are on Sundays. Sometimes not. I’m not recanting my faith; Jesus Christ is Lord forever and ever and ever. Glory. Hallelujah. Amen.
But I won’t ever feel guilty for recognizing that basketball is the better activity for my kids and I and skipping church.
Captain's Log 
I’m in total agreement. I persuaded my mother to coach our church’s middle school basketball. She loved it.
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This is exactly why I left the traditional, structural church and followed the clear examples in scripture where I should meet with others brothers and sister in Christ.
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. (Romans 16:5)
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1 Corinthians 16:19)
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
(Colossians 4:15)
And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
(Philemon 1:2)
And to the head deacon who said told you it was not the time to join “his” church…well, he obviously knows nothing about what saith the scriptures. “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.”
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Okay this is a take am not ready to agree with. Am no parent but i have heard parents say the one thing you are likely to need is that your children get saved which makes Church important. Am having a hard time with Church too , i left the traditional Roman Catholic one at like 16 and now am 22 and starting to get worried that i don’t do fellowship time well and might never get a Church. I always have complaints, either the Preacher wasn’t good enough afterall i have read history, doctrine , etc way more than most Christians have, or i complain it was boring. Or like for the last group i left , they took on topics i wasn’t interested in. Anyway are you sure you are doing the right thing? You have to do what God expects because you ought to respect Him way more than you do yourself so be sure you’re making the right decision. Afterall , just because greens are not as fun to eat as sweets , doesn’t mean it’s wise to eat more sweets, sometimes the bitter sweet is the only one that’s really priceless and needed , not just wanted. Just saying, wine is sweet but water is life. 😌
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Thanks, Emilly, for the comment. I’m not recommending here to stop attending church. But I am suggesting youth sports on Sunday every once in a while, or even more often for a season, is a good thing and maybe a better thing. I’m mostly challenging the idea that youth sports is bad. Instead, why not ask what we all like so much about it and see if we can learn anything about ourselves.
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Ohh okay , i get you now. Afterall Church doesn’t go on for the entire day , which makes it a good day for fun while still sharing the gospel. Yap i see that now. Sunday afternoons are usually the most boring period of the week.
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