The kids in our church organized a car wash to raise money for summer camp. I went out there yesterday to have my car washed and found several of the young ladies were in bikinis and the boys were shirtless. They had loud hip hop music playing and the girl who toweled my car off was acting like some kind of dancer.
Needless to say I was shocked! How could your youth pastor allow such a immodest display? The youth pastor (single man in his 20's) seemed to be enjoying himself and was horsing around and having water fights with the kids.
I think this kind of car wash makes a mockery of God and our church. Do I have your support? If I do, I will take the answers to the Pastor and get this youth pastor right with God.
2006-07-02 07:31:50 · 20 answers · asked by idspudnik 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Right, only their eyes showing.
2006-07-02 07:37:41 · answer #1 · answered by Ludwig Wittgenstein 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I agree with you more than 100%. The youth pastor was behaving like a teenager rather than a mentor. The teenage girls who were in charge of washing the cars could have worn one piece bathing suits with modest shorts over them, and the teenage boys could have worn bathing shorts and tank tops. They still would have stayed cool. I think they need to re-do the car wash all over again. They should donate everything they received from that day and donate it to a local homeless shelter or something in that nature. Then the pastor should speak to the youth pastor and give him pointers on how best to give a morality lesson to his charges. They need to pick a different Saturday and dress modestly with only Christian music in the background. I realize that many will feel this is excessive, but I think for these kids (and their pastor) to get the message, they should be penalized for giving Christianity a poor image. Do you know what I mean? Their actions were viewed by many who aren't Christian. Those non-believers will now (albeit perhaps unconsciously) think that Christians behave no better than any other person. And that is why they deserve to have the proceeds taken from them and given to others.
2006-07-02 14:50:57 · answer #2 · answered by Iamnotarobot (former believer) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like this youth pastor was indulging in a little lust, and encouraging those that were in his charge to do the same. When we have the world in our hearts, we have NO ROOM FOR GOD, OR HIS SON! Sounds like they all need a little Ps 51:17. There are better ways to raise money, such as going door to door (have the young people do this) and asking for a donation. First tell the person who answers the door why you have disturbed them, and then ask for a donation. God will prevail upon their hearts. This can be done very easily, go to your local city government and fill out the proper forms, pay a small fee, then hit the neighborhoods.
2006-07-02 14:44:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
did not god give us our bodies?
we where the ones that ate the fruit and decided that nakedness is wrong.
you should be glad they where washing your car. the church i belong to has unintentionally killed their youth program. they didn't realize their actions until it was too late.
which would you rather have, the youth of your Church washing cars in bathing suits having fun in a social environment where they are supervised or hanging out in someones basement doing who knows what. if your problem is with the clothes is that the youth leaders resonableity ? no it is their parents. it would be uncristian to turn away the kids for what they wore,is it up to us decide what is right for other peoples children to wear
when i was in the youth group at my church there where 20 people that attended events on a normal bases with around 20 more that came off and on, all on there free will. in 3 years time it has dropped to 3 people total. they took the fun out and everybody left.
i know not everyone that goes to these youth events will be saved but more will be saved if you keep it fun. there is too much politics in the church now don't add politics to the youth too. i am only 21 still young to this world but heed my warning i know how this sort of thing drives youth from the church it drove me away too
2006-07-02 15:00:22 · answer #4 · answered by specal k 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all it is NOT your responsibility to get the youth pastor "right with God". That is the pastor's responsibility and God's. That is not your business. That is back biting and gossip.
Second, I will agree that standards of modesty were more than likely not adhered to. While I would bring this up to leadership, I would NOT condemn, I MIGHT question what the standards are that should have been upheld. As Christians we are not to condemn actions that are unscriptural, we may condemn the sin. Young people who do not have firm standards will follow the crowd when it comes to dress (for acceptance). If they were not given a standard to follow how can they follow one? Did the teens sin in their form of dress? In regards to being provocative to the opposite sex and the public they probably did not given the knowledge they had. Did the public sin in looking on them with lust? Yes. Should they have worn shirts over their swimsuits, probably yes, or worn shorts or other clothing, possibly yes? Nevertheless, I would be VERY CAREFUL not to blame children for lack of training as they are in church and LEARNING to be mature Christians. Remember to put yourself in their shoes and remember how immature a Christian you were at that age (IF you were a Christian then). Your best job would be to encourage them to grow in Christ and complement their efforts. I can't say it enough, criticism should not be directed at the kids but at Christian parents who have not set standards for their children. It sounds like there needs to be more maturity in leadership from parents and education in the church as to what message is sent by the kids representing the church.
Train up a child in the way they should go and when they get old they will NOT depart from it.
2006-07-02 15:14:39 · answer #5 · answered by snddupree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, I'm going to be the unpopular one here, but here goes.
Nope, sounds awesome to me. People should wear what they feel is comfortable to them and what is appropriate.
Although I am not religious (I am very spiritual) I cannot imaging a deity that would have created us and then said that we should cover ourselves in some sort of shame.
That would be like creating a masterpiece of artwork and then not allowing anyone to see anything but the frame.
Clothing is really good for one thing primarily and that is protection from the elements and our environment, nothing else really.
Granted, our society frowns on open nudity in the public, so the people washing the cars should at least be wearing clothing of some sort so that they can abide by local laws, but overall, what is so wrong with the human body that it has to be hidden?
That is my 2 cents (a little over a nickel now with prices being what they are), please flame away. :)
Love as always,
Sebastian
2006-07-02 14:39:17 · answer #6 · answered by octo_boi 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think I would change churches if they don't do any better than that. Christian men and women are called to dress modestly. There was a mormon girl on here that did way better than this.. I have seen this in other places and it needs to be dealt with.. If your Pastor doesn't do better than this God to a good Church where they obey the word..
We need to be TEACHING the youth to be godly in their manner of living.
2006-07-02 14:46:49 · answer #7 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guess what this is 2006 and not the 1950's. You need to mind your own business and stop being a busy-body. What you think is right and wrong are and can be different than what other people think. I get so sick and tired of people thinking and deciding that what they think is what everyone else should comply to. Guess what god gave us free will and that does not mean you get to burden people with your thoughts.
Oh and whats wrong with hip hop music? Is that not someone's god given talent at work??
2006-07-03 00:13:09 · answer #8 · answered by Cowboy Jacob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that wasn't very appropriate and I'm a christian that is 21 that still goes to a youth group. I know my church wouldn't approve that! They might approve a one piece. And the guys would have to have a muscle shirt.
2006-07-02 14:38:57 · answer #9 · answered by Lorla 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WEll i'm 14 and at my church we had a car wash. But girls could only wear one pieces, and if they didn't have one they could wear a dark shirt. I think that is immodest.
2006-07-02 14:35:00 · answer #10 · answered by manda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not? Too many taboos keep young people away from Religion...To quote a priest I know...When you are brought up in denomintions that are against every thing, when you grow up you run like hell...
2006-07-02 14:53:34 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋