Skateboarding Ministry – Is It A Legal Problem for a Church Sponsor?
I was told that skateboarding was popular in our community and that it was one of the fastest growing sports in the country. I was asked to meet with a group of skateboarders and develop a program for a ministry to young people involved in this sport.
This is not the first time or the first sport that I have seen a sport become the focus of a ministry at a church in which I was a member. The last time, the ball fields and batting cages were for baseball and softball players.
But, I wonder if there will be a different reaction in the church itself. Skateboarders are by nature risk takers and not much on looking or acting conventionally, based on my observations.
In any event, should the church post rules for the activity and if so, what should be the source of the rules? Is there a national organization for the sport that provides amateur rules of conduct for the sport?
Also, baseball and softball was a sport I understood because I understood the rules and the concept of the game. But, what is the point of skateboarding? Is it as evolved as gymnastics for competitive evaluation?
It will be interesting to observe whether the community is willing to view skateboarding as a sport or as a nuisance.
