Would it be wrong of me to say something to my pastor about wasting these turkeys?

Question

Every year my youth group has this huge football game between all the small groups. Last year our pastors had some weird idea to add extra dumb competitions into the mix, one being "turkey bowling". With this "turkey bowling", we bowl with turkeys and waste probably 4 or 5 of them at least.

Yesterday I just found out we're doing this same competition again, and I feel really wrong about it. I mean, I'm sure there are TONS of families in our city who can't afford thanksgiving turkeys!

I want to say something about it, but here's where I'm torn: if we DON'T do the turkey bowling, it's not like we're actually gonna give the turkeys to families who need them. We're not gonna donate money to a homeless shelter to help them out with the thanksgiving meal. OUR CHURCH BEING THAT GENEROUS?! YEAH RIGHT!!! It's really sad, but we never give to that sorta thing...

All I know is that this game really bothers me. Should I say something about it or not?

Answer 1

Yes! It sounds like you are very passionate about this... And I totally agree. There ARE alot of families out there that can't afford a turkey for Thanksgiving. Maybe you could suggest using the turkeys for a soup kitchen out of your church on Thanksgiving Day? Would be a much better use for them...

Follow your heart... It's in the right place.

Answer 2

you should say something . . . not only because you have a good point but because you are part of a community and communities work best when everyone has input . . . especially in a church youth group where the point is to be learning to be good people usually . . . unless the turkey bowling is set up to raise money to donate afterward to a good cause, then it's kind of a stupid thing. to get in the spirit, volunteering and collecting food for the needy is much more meaningful than rolling a turkey on the ground.

Answer 3

you have a very valid concern and indeed the turkeys could be better used. you said that your church isn't that generous. churches are made up of individuals. they aren't perfect because people are not perfect. maybe the reason they don't donate turkeys to homeless shelters is because the pastors are completely taxed out planning youth events, visiting sick church members, and doing the millions of other tasks required of church pastors. they may have little support from church members.

i'm not a pastor, not married to a pastor, don't have a pastor in my family but it rubs me the wrong way when people complain about their churches rather than volunteering to help make it better. if you want to make a difference in your community AND your church, then approach the pastors and tell them that you would like to coordinate a food drive for a local shelter. pastors aren't the only ones with responsibilities in a church. we're all called to serve.

Answer 4

Yes, you should be able to speak (privately) from the heart to your pastor. Then, you can elect not to participate in the turkey bowling. I think he would understand and may make some changes. After all, you may not be the only parishioner that feels this way.
Turkey Bowling? Couldn't they use some sort of fake turkey? and serve the real stuff (food) to the homeless? ...I consider myself a conservative and I find it wrong!
I agree with the other poster(s). A charity dinner would be more appropriate.
I also agree with "annonymous"' sugestion that you should volunteer to help coordinate the charity food drive or dinner that you reccomend replace the Turkey Bowling.

Answer 5

I can feel that it hurts you. My mouth literally fell open as I read this. How dare a man of the cloth support such a "game", when those turkeys put could be put to such better use? I'm appalled. I'm sure you aren't the only one. Bringing this up, as your own conscience is CLEARLY telling you to do, would not be disrespectful to your pastor. You would be standing up for you know and feel is right. He will hopefully see your point of view and call this silly game off. There are many other ways to have fun and competitive without wasting perfectly good food that other people can only dream about.

Answer 6

This is pretty stunning. I agree, it's a terrible waste when people are going hungry everyday.

I would privately explain how you feel to the pastor. There may be others who feel this way too. Have your heard anyone else say this? Maybe a few of you who agree on this could speak to him, very kindly, about this.

You said youth group...if you're a kid, maybe you could talk to your parents about this. They may be able to help you plan an approach to avoid being rude or critical.

You're in a difficult position. If this is typical -- you seem unhappy at the lack of generosity -- maybe you're in the wrong congregation. You might need to find one that reflects your own social conscience.

Answer 7

Yes you should.Its not only a waste of good food,when so many are hungry its just not acceptable to use those turkeys in that way.And while you are at it ask why your church doesn't particulate in the Christmas campain to feed the hungry and if you don't get a satificatory anwer then tell him you are going to give your december tith to charity.I quit a church for the same thing I just could not believe all year long we were preached to do good and sin not and came Christmas the church did nothing for those in need.So you will have to decide for your self but your heart is good and in the right place so God bless you and yours.

Answer 8

SPEAK OUT! Volunteer to bring the 4-5 turkeys that would be bowling balls to a soup kitchen or food bank yourself. Maybe take a few friends to back you up. The worst that happens is that the pastor says "no".

Good for you for wanting to help other people.

Answer 9

I wouldn't because it sounds like you have a wasteful church, most churches love to help out like that but if it bothers you so much just don't participate and if you are asked why then say that you feel like that is a wasteful thing to do with the birds when needy families would be much better served by the church's generousity.

Answer 10

What does your coronary heart say? greater importantly, what does the Holy Spirit as you pray and what does the notice of God says? in basic terms by using fact your pastor is the chief of the flock would not recommend is unquestionably walking authentic with God. he's human in basic terms such as you and me. something is freaky and intensely off approximately your Pastor in terms of in basic terms coming on your place while no person is abode. i think of your pastor is utilising God to his very own income and that's erroneous in quite some techniques. he's the guy who could be preaching appropriate to the gospel of Christ and maximum appropriate souls to Christ. So get deep into the notice. Pray each and every time he says something like that and ask for guidence. incorrect way, this is super to decline to guy. Your pastor isn't God and he isn't righteous if he's doing issues that are against God. beware of fake prophets my expensive. those wolves can are available in many varieties. study Matt 7.