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Cell phones and church trips!
Do you allow your teens to bring cell phones on church trips? We are going to a Planet Wisdom conference in Denver next month, 2 of my teens have said they were not going if they could not bring cell phones. I know this is petty of them...but at the same time I really think God will speak to there hearts at this conference. So if they honestly wont come simply because of that, is it worth them missing the conference because of this rule? (ideally their parents would make them come anyways, but that is not going to happen. Any thoughts?
- 15 Answers
- In Youth Ministry
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- Nate-Jager
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- 3 years ago
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I also make it a part of the permission slip/registration form that electronics are not allowed.
If they have made it public that is why they are not coming, I would use the old peer pressure trick-have another teen that is a leader talk them into it (: if you have a good enough relationship with the teen(s) that want to bring them!
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We allow our teens to bring their phones on trips. Their may be need for them. However when we are at conferences or camp, once we are inside, they are shut off. If they come out, we take them and give them back at the end of the trip. |
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We went to PlanetWisdom in DFW, and they actually use cell phones in one of their games. I made my kids keep their cell phones in the van except for the 2 times they play the game (they tell you what sessions.) And I told them if I caught them using their phones at times they weren't supposed to, I'd take them away for the entire weekend. |
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Couple contrarian questions here: |
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I used to be a little more strict on this one, but I believe "the times, they are a changin," applies here. Cell phones are no longer a luxury or accessory, they have become a component of life. I think on trips there are appropriate times to put them away (worship, teaching, seminars, etc.) but I no longer think this is a battle worth dying for. |
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We do not allow cell phones during teen camp, and if a parent needs to make contact with their student then I make sure they know they can call me and I will make contact with their student. You are right when you say it can be a distraction, and I believe it is! |
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I would love for them not to have them on a trip, but I've had conversations with more than one parent who told me that they want their teen to have the cell with them so they can get in touch with them. I've probably had this conversation with at least 12 parents and only one has agreed with me that they could use it as a distraction. So I dont fight it anymore. However, in the covenant the students sign, it says that if they are seen using the phone during any session or group activity (I will allow it when nothing is going on) its mine until we get back home -and then i give it to their parents and tell them why I took it up. After doing this 2 or 3 times, kids didnt use them when they weren't supposed to |
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cf http://www.ministryquestions.com/members/answers/ Do-you-allow-cell-phones-on-youth-trips.html |
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I absolutely do not! I make sure parents have my cell number and I have their info. Sometimes students get really upset and sometimes the parents do as well. My reasoning is that I want them to be focused on whatever the trip is about. I usually take ipods away once we arrive as well. |
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We do not allow our students to take cell phones on trips. I've tried to be "reasonable" about this in the past, and each time, it comes back to bite me. So, it's a part of the registration process that they know the items are not allowed. |
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do a magic trick that goes "horribly wrong" by gathering them all in a bag and then accidentally dropping them in water... |
