The role of youth sports in church attendance has long been a sore subject. When soccer or baseball or whichever other season rolls around, the pews get a little more empty as mom and dad pack their kids up to head to the field for that week’s matchup.

Whether it’s for scholarships or the ever-so-slim chance of a shot at professional glory and fortune or just because it’s a fun time, countless Christian parents have deemed their kids’ sporting events as more important than Sunday worship.

My aim is not to write to try to convince anyone to put worship over youth sports and any other hobby. Deep down, I fully believe every Christian knows what they should be doing every Sunday morning. I refuse to pretend there’s a debate to be had.

Instead, I want to view the rise of Sunday youth sports as a case study in church leadership.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jackwilkie.co/subscribe