One of the things we are struggling with right now is the issue of Sunday Sport. So far, we haven’t had to deal too closely with the issue of regular Sunday Sport. I think right now that one would be an easy “no”.
However, what about the occasional Sunday Sport?
Around here, things like carnivals, tournaments and academy’s are held on Sundays. These are often the types of things it’s great for kids to be involved with.
But at what cost?
We’ve heard sermons urging Christians to stand firm about Sunday Sports (or anything that creeps in that pulls us away from our commitment to worship).
We’ve watched families struggle and eventually succumb to the whole “Sunday Sport” issue.
We’ve watched some families begin with 1 thing and before you know it, they’re absent from church more often than they’re there.
Both DH and I have been brought up very “anti Sunday Sport”. I’m not 100% sure but I think my parents may have relaxed their views by the time they got to my youngest 2 brothers.
It’s such a hard one. I believe we need to be very wary of ANYTHING that gets in our way of serving and fellowshipping with God. Not just on a Sunday, but on ANY day.
I also believe that regular worship with a church family is important. I don’t believe it is ESSENTIAL but I do believe it is healthy, helpful and a good thing to have.
And I very much doubt that there is even a clear cut answer to this question. What’s right or wrong for one family or situation doesn’t necessarily make it an “across the board” right or wrong.
Why am I asking all this now?
Yesterday we spent the day at a tennis tournament. Our second Sunday at a tennis tournament in a month. Up until this season we have resisted, figuring we’re better erring on the side of “not” until we’re more sure.
As things worked out, we didn’t have commitments on either Sunday (in fact, we didn’t even have regular services on either Sunday) so we took that as a “green light” to give it a go.
Now, we’re not sure we’re any closer to coming to a peaceful resolution about what we believe is right.
On the one hand, it felt a little uncomfortable to be doing this on a Sunday.
On the other, we had some great conversations with others in our community that have nothing to do with the church. It was a real opportunity to build relationships.
And while the experience our son gained in his sport was wonderful, we also saw him grow in character as well.
I don’t regret what we did at all.
We even had the opportunity to worship at a 5pm service at the end of the day before coming home (in another church as we’d had to travel some distance for the tournament).
But I’m not sure we’re any closer to a “resolution” on whether participating in Sunday Sport is “right” or “wrong”.
For now, we’ll have to be content with grapling with each situation as it arises and trying to make the best decision possible at the time.
I would love to hear your thoughts on “Sunday Sport” and other activities that get in the way of our regular worship.
This is a tough one for sure..
I do like your comment “I believe we need to be very wary of ANYTHING that gets in our way of serving and fellowshipping with God. Not just on a Sunday, but on ANY day”
We did steer clear of sending our son into club soccer for this reason and also the numerous hours of practice we had to attned and were scorned at by another dad who said we should have been utilising his talents God had given.. we talked about it quite frankly and openly for ages and with Son #1 decided it wasnt to be.. for many reasons.. mostly because in the end he didnt want to commit to all the hours and pressures of club training and games.. phew!!
When i was growing up on an orchard there were still some things my mum disagreeed with my dad doing on a Sunday yet sometimes there was no choice if there was a burst water pipe, or broken windmill, or flat tyre.. she seemed to cope better if it wasnt planned to be done on a Sunday.. there was even a stage where women didnt even cook on a Sunday,,, but had cold roast leftovers and salads, cooked the day before..!!
I really dont like shopping on a Sunday but do if I cant do it any other time.. many would scorn at me…
Guess one has to commit it to God and let God reveal the answer to each family.. i do believe though that its good to have consensus in the family unit when one has to make such hard decisions.. so you are all on the same wavelength.
Cant wait to hear what others ahve to say!!
L
By: Lynette on March 1, 2010
at 7:21 pm
This is a really hard one.
On the one hand I’d like to agree, but on the other it’s silly to pretend we don’t live in a 24/7 society where things happen on Sunday whether we’re there or not.
I’ve missed church in the last few weeks more often than I’ve bee, for several reasons. One was me spending time with my best friend, as she tries to cope with the split from her church. Another was her daughter’s birthday party. This weekend gone was my daughters friends birthday party.
Now I could have said no to all these things, but at what cost? Personally I try to arrange as much as possible on Saturdays, but I have to concede that it isn’t always possible. It’s only occasionally but dance dress rehearsals are always on a Sunday. We didn’t have the sport problem but we have every other problem it seems. Do I say no to a birthday party because it conflicts with church? (I did give her the choice, and she had to think about it before saying she’d rather go to the party).
At the end of the day if you’re comfortable with the decision you’ve made for your family, that’s all that really matters.
By: Kin on March 2, 2010
at 6:32 pm
Jodi, I have issues with calling our Sunday meetings “worship” (but hey, that’s just me). We worship 24/7. Well, not 24/7 but we can worship any hour any day. Our Sunday meetings include corporate worship, of course. But I know your dilemma well. DD15 played Sunday soccer for years. It meant she didn’t come to church with me (in soccer season). But her dad isn’t a Christian and so I couldn’t force her to come with me. This year she chose to forego soccer as she didn’t want to miss “church”. PTL!
There are ways around the Sunday sport (or dancing or other social activities) issues. Evening services, mid week meetings, organising a home based group for those in your church who can’t make the morning service. The important thing is being connected and wanting to be there and making opportunities to meet with your church family (church in the broader sense of the word). And that doesn’t all have to happen on Sundays.
By: wjcsydney on March 2, 2010
at 8:23 pm
This is a very well thought out and well written post about a very difficult subject.
My one question to you is this: You said you felt a little ‘uncomfortable’ being at the tennis tournament and I wonder, is that because of religion or because of the still-small voice of the Holy Spirit?
Religion tries to tie us down to man-made rules and regulations but the Holy Spirit talks to us gently about what is right and wrong.
Did you feel uncomfortable because church culture has taught you to be or because God was speaking to you about it?
Thanks for a great read today!
By: Peter P on May 7, 2010
at 4:41 am
No answers from me I’m afraid…
I’ve never been dead set against the odd tournament, or carnival but I don’t think I could come at organised sport every Sunday.
Some people see it as very black and white and don’t understand why we feel the need to be members of sporting clubs. But our presence in those places is not to be underestimated.
See you on Sunday!
By: Sharon on May 11, 2010
at 4:47 pm