Lessons Learned from Taking 168 Kids Minature Golfing in 1 and 1/2 hours

Wednesday night was the second night of Legit Bible Study (our youth group meeting).  In order to get to know the kids better we decided to do a fun activity and took them miniature golfing for the night.  We made a deal with them that we would pay for them and their brand new friend if they brought someone.  So our group of 115 kids the week before grew to 168 for the big event.  Here are some simple lessons I learned from that experience.
1.  If there is an incentive the kids will do it.  For instance we told the kids if they bring a friend then we would pay for them and their friend.  Well, lots of friends were brought and lots of kids played for free.  At the same time I told the kids to dress up like old school golfers and most of the leaders did it and about 10 of the kids.  If there would have been a prize then there would have been more people dressing up.
In the same way so many Christians are like that.  They choose their ministries or the church they attend based solely upon what they will get out of it.  Go out on a limb and do something that will strengthen others.
2.  Even if the golf course has 3 courses 168 kids are a lot of putt-putters.  We walked in and used all of the putters in the place and completely dominated the course.  It was cool to look out and see that many people playing golf.
3.  Keep good community relations with the places that you take your groups.  I started talking to the Putt-Putt place about this activity a month ago.  We showed up and they knew we were coming but they were not ready for us.  At that point we could have become frustrated and put on edge, but instead we helped to organize the situation and ended up having a good night.  As the kids were playing golf I had the opportunity to talk to the owner of the place and he wants us to bring our kids back for free.  I am so glad we kept our testimony and he wanted to reward the kids for that.  I mentioned to him that he should come check out our church sometime and he said he might take me up on that and gave me his cell phone.
4.  Make sure you keep the ministry the main thing.  Right before the activity started I was given some news that was a bit stressful at the time, but I took a couple minutes and turned my attention to the kids.  I am so glad I did because it helped me keep things in perspective as we proceeded through this potentially stressful time.
5.  My wife is hot as an old school golfer.