Churches, sports and communities
Reading One thing churches do well by Dave Rupert:
It’s possible this social apparatus does return dividends in the offering plate, but I think the key benefit this provides is a place of belonging. A place to exercise talents publicly and regularly that might otherwise remain dormant. Creating that ladder of opportunity is effective at keeping “involvement” –a community’s most important metric by which it lives and dies
I think he hit the nail precisely about why churches can be an important part of a community.
I grew up in — and raise kids in — a secular household. Reading Dave's post helped me understand more clearly why sports were always such an important part of my childhood and adolescence. And, even more importantly, why I'm doing everything I can to help my children find passion an community in sports. Spending a few hours every week as a volunteer coach / driving them around / sitting and waiting while they do their thing is well worth it, if it helps make them part of a community.
While children's sports and other cultural activities here in Norway have a community and inclusion focus first and foremost, I don't think they necessarily manage to successfully recreate "the ladder" as well as Dave talks about. That's probably a problem.