Judgement Question?

Preaching-Mason · Postby **Preaching-Mason** » February 23rd, 2006, 6:41 pm

What do you guys think about a Taking your youth groups to swimming pools, and letting them swim together? ( boy/girl)

What about if the youth leader swims with them? I mean female youth leader in bathing suit, with her boys in the pool with her, or male youth leader in just shorts with the girls . IS THIS APPROPRIATE?

If you are a Pastor what is your Policy? If you are a youth leader what is your policy? For parents, How do you feel about your kids in a pool with their youth leader?

Now I dont mean anything inappropriate, I am just asking about innocent swimming!

I know this is a very split topic with most people, But is this really an appropriate thing for any leader in the church to be doing? That is letting the kids ( or other church members for that matter) see them in a very revealing situation!

So what are your thought on this? THANKS IN ADVANCE

Poimen · Postby **Poimen** » February 23rd, 2006, 7:24 pm

Well it may be unpopular...

But based on the parameters you gave. I think it would be wrong and a bad refelction on the witness of that Youth Group.

There is certainly nothing sinful with swimming or having fun in the water. But ... when you start talking bathing suits or other sensual instigators, and mixing the sexes, I think your moving into a realm that even good horse sense should tell you that this is inapproariate for believers.

I just cannot see Jesus doing it or going to the event as a willing particpant.

I mean think about it .. remove water from the equation. Even at a Youth function on land, or in a house, you want to use caution in what is allowed or not. Right? BUT -- Would you even consider, for a second, having a youth function with the Youth Leader in just shorts or under clothes, the girls stripped down to bras and panties, and the guys in nothing but boxers, briefs, or shorts ??? NO WAY!

Sherry · Postby **Sherry** » February 23rd, 2006, 8:37 pm

Poimen wrote:Well it may be unpopular...

But based on the parameters you gave. I think it would be wrong and a bad refelction on the witness of that Youth Group.

There is certainly nothing sinful with swimming or having fun in the water. But ... when you start talking bathing suits or other sensual instigators, and mixing the sexes, I think your moving into a realm that even good horse sense should tell you that this is inapproariate for believers.

I just cannot see Jesus doing it or going to the event as a willing particpant.

I mean think about it .. remove water from the equation. Even at a Youth function on land, or in a house, you want to use caution in what is allowed or not. Right? BUT -- Would you even consider, for a second, having a youth function with the Youth Leader in just shorts or under clothes, the girls stripped down to bras and panties, and the guys in nothing but boxers, briefs, or shorts ??? NO WAY!

Piomen, sometimes when I read your comments I have to remind myself that you a young guy, because you sound so old! :shock:

Postby **Pastor Gary** » February 23rd, 2006, 8:44 pm

Preaching-Mason wrote:What do you guys think about a Taking your youth groups to swimming pools, and letting them swim together? ( boy/girl)...
Now I dont mean anything inappropriate, I am just asking about innocent swimming!

As the flaming liberal of the group, from a place where we are surrounded by water, we go, as a church, to the beach for picnics and people swim together. ))))SHRUG((((

Mine will be the minority view here, I am sure, but we have boy/girl swim time at camp together. ))))SHRUG((((

Sherry · Postby **Sherry** » February 23rd, 2006, 8:58 pm

Pastor Gary wrote:
As the flaming liberal of the group, from a place where we are surrounded by water, we go, as a church, to the beach for picnics and people swim together. ))))SHRUG((((

Mine will be the minority view here, I am sure, but we have boy/girl swim time at camp together. ))))SHRUG((((

OOOh OOOh.....I get to join the flaming liberal group!! Woo Hoo!!! :lol:

(Couldn't resist...I laughed so hard when I read that.....I think t-shirts need to be made with that on it!

)

EagerBeaver · Postby **EagerBeaver** » February 23rd, 2006, 9:49 pm

I'll join the "flaming liberal" club as well.

I think with good leadership and if the youth are taught the right way, and know their boundaries, it shouldn't be a problem.

Poimen wrote:... when you start talking bathing suits or other sensual instigators, and mixing the sexes, I think your moving into a realm that even good horse sense should tell you that this is inapproariate for believers.

Sensual instigators are EVERYWHERE in today's world....in the mall, at sporting events, on the Internet, etc. I guess from your comment, even a simple task like going to town or watching TV would be inappropriate as well.

Naw Poimen I know what you're saying....appearance is everything and perception is reality for a lot of folks so I think it may be more of an appearance thing than anything else. I'd have no problem with it though.

Poimen · Postby **Poimen** » February 23rd, 2006, 9:55 pm

YellowRoseTX wrote:
Poimen wrote:Well it may be unpopular...

But based on the parameters you gave. I think it would be wrong and a bad refelction on the witness of that Youth Group.

There is certainly nothing sinful with swimming or having fun in the water. But ... when you start talking bathing suits or other sensual instigators, and mixing the sexes, I think your moving into a realm that even good horse sense should tell you that this is inapproariate for believers.

I just cannot see Jesus doing it or going to the event as a willing particpant.

I mean think about it .. remove water from the equation. Even at a Youth function on land, or in a house, you want to use caution in what is allowed or not. Right? BUT -- Would you even consider, for a second, having a youth function with the Youth Leader in just shorts or under clothes, the girls stripped down to bras and panties, and the guys in nothing but boxers, briefs, or shorts ??? NO WAY!

Piomen, sometimes when I read your comments I have to remind myself that you a young guy, because you sound so old!

I get that ... A LOT !!!

I'll be 28 in a few days.

BTW, everytime I see your name YellowRose, especially your sig -- this song starts playing in my head .... *Poimen singing* "I never promised you a rose garden... :oops:

Kenya · Postby **Kenya** » February 24th, 2006, 2:28 am

That is one of our most favorites things to do as a youth group during the summer. We have a pool in our backyard. We love the hot tub at retreat.

If there were any type of arousal issues, it would be evident in a wet bathing suit. Did I just say that??!!

beemerdude · Postby **beemerdude** » February 24th, 2006, 3:09 am

I cannot believe that you bunch of liberal COGoPers would let your kids go swimming together in the cement pond with the "youth leader!"
No wonder we can't have merger between the COGers and COGoPers!!
Ya'll are just a bunch of flaming liberals [-X

YES! I would let them with the right supervision. If I could not trust my Student Pastor and his wife for something as minor as swimming well I would hire someone I could.

I wonder how many will not read this all the way through and will cause me to get some ugly post and pm's :?:

By the way the COGers and COGoPers just popped in my head...but read it again and see if you get the joke in that.

Love you guys and appreciate you, gone to a marriage retreat for the weekend!

RamboPreacher · Postby **RamboPreacher** » February 24th, 2006, 3:33 am

... when you start talking bathing suits or other sensual instigators...

what? a swimming suit is a "sexual instigator"?!?!!!?? sorry, I just don't get that, and never have.

I agree with EagerBeaver - in that "sex" is everywhere, and even moreso if you happen to be predisposed to that kind of temptation (a demon under every rock, adn gonna turn them all over to find em).

It's about supervision AND communication, adn less about appearance. In fact, most non-old-school-churched people, will wonder what cult you are in if you are keeping the boys and girls seperated, and they see that. So, depends on POV. but clearly supervision and communication are the main points necessary prior to and during said event.

MrDanger · Postby **MrDanger** » February 24th, 2006, 3:40 am

Kenya wrote:If there were any type of arousal issues, it would be evident in a wet bathing suit. Did I just say that??!!

KENYA JOYLENE....I'm gonna tell, well, I don't know who, but I will tell someone.

MrDanger · Postby **MrDanger** » February 24th, 2006, 3:42 am

Pastor Gary wrote:Mine will be the minority view here, I am sure, but we have boy/girl swim time at camp together. ))))SHRUG((((

and more states are joining you with that, sir. And, let me add, it is about 20 years past time in my opinion.

rough_rider · Postby **rough_rider** » February 24th, 2006, 4:05 am

Our local church went on a trip to FOTW & Cleve. Tenn. this past summer, and we all (old &young) went swiming in the hotel pool, yes, all together and that included the pastor... :shock:

The age range was 15-70..

DeWayneTN · Postby **DeWayneTN** » February 24th, 2006, 5:21 am

When I went with our youth group to a conference in Los Angeles a few years ago, we went to the beach one day before the conference started and after the conference, my honest observation was that we saw much more skin at the conference than at the beach. That was surprising.

I think's a matter also of what you're used to. I grew swimming everywhere but then I would get around one of my church buddies who wasn't used to swimming with others and they'd stand there staring at the girls like a deer in headlights.

I don't think it's wrong if we had mixed swim time at our Georgia camp (we don't), but I think separated, the boys get to rough-house and the girls get their own time to lounge around. It's probably just more comfortable for all parties to have their own time.

Paully_44 · Postby **Paully_44** » February 24th, 2006, 6:39 am

Preaching-Mason wrote:What do you guys think about a Taking your youth groups to swimming pools, and letting them swim together? ( boy/girl)

What do I think?? I thought this goofy subject died back in the 80's or so. I don't ever think about, as it never crosses my mind.

I was not raised in this church, and never heard of such a taboo until we started attending. It didn't stop me from swimming or life guarding either.

I am and always be more of a free-thinker. (don't like the term liberal... maybe liberated though)

Jude 2