This is a great, fun video of an impromptu blitz game played between Samuel Sevian (who was 10 at the time) and IM Greg Shahade during a break at a US Chess School.
[tentblogger-youtube LMM2RV5-HVc]
As well as being a quick bit of amusement, what struck me about this was that Greg Shahade (a chess International Master – the 2nd highest rank in chess) didn’t mind losing to ‘a kid’ (although Samuel’s a very good chess playing kid!).
This got me thinking about the church and how we treat young people and their gifts.
Are we happy if they ‘beat’ us in areas of church life?
Do we encourage their talents properly?
With tech playing a greater role in the church, and young people often being more ‘tech knowledgable’ than many adults, is there a way we can get them more involved and give them some ‘ownership’ in the church?
And very importantly, we need to make sure not to treat young people (or anyone) like a certain pastor did recently…
Does your church do anything to involve young people in the tech side in the church?
How do you think we could do more?
Jeremy Smith says
I love it when a student owns their faith and takes a prominent role in church. One of the greatest adolescent times in my life was when my father allowed me a Sunday in the pulpit to talk about discipleship to a congregation of people that didn’t want to take the time to disciple me. Years later, I want to find as many opportunities in life like my father did for me.
James Cooper says
Thanks for sharing Jeremy. Encouragement is a wonderful thing!