The photo at the bottom of this post is probably going to make me look like I have anger issues.
But in my defense, I made it very clear about what was going to happen that night.
The setup is simple. I was invited to speak at an awesome youth retreat at a church called Grand Avenue Baptist. (Fun fact: The youth minister’s name is Aaron Rodgers, and he beat the Green Bay QB to Twitter. He’s @AaronRodgers, the QB is @AaronRodgers12.) The event was a blast and concluded on Saturday night with a dodgeball game.
During the day, we did a Q&A session in which I told the students:
“Just so we’re clear. I’m going to talk a lot about grace and mercy today, but tonight on that dodgeball court, there will be none.”
I resisted the urge to say “there is no pain in this dojo,” because if you’re 16, the Karate Kid movie came out when you were negative 10 years old.
I spoke that night. Then, as promised, I took the court. Looking back on it, there’s probably a list of things you shouldn’t do when you go speak at a church. I bet that list would include:
1. Swim in the baptismal.
2. Steal money from the offering buckets.
3. Make fun of mimes.
And 4…. Hit one of the students in the back with a dodgeball as hard as you can.
In my defense, I grew up with some dangerous youth group games. Dodgeball was soft in comparison. One of our favorite games at Centrifuge, a camp I attended, was called “kidnap someone out of line in the cafeteria and throw them in the most disgusting pond known to man.”
That’s a long name, but it was a pretty delightful activity. We had another one that involved wheeled wooden vehicles, a laundry basket, a ball and as many elbows as you could throw without being caught.
And I can’t be the only one who has played a dangerous youth group game.
What’s the best game you ever played at youth group?
p.s. Check the form in my throw. Like a tightly wound spring. No wasted motion, all core.
