I’m sure many of you reading this have heard of a ‘God Slot’, for those that haven’t let me explain, many churches have what is described as an ‘Open Youth Group’ a regular group which happens where young people can play table tennis, pool, playstation or whatever, the God slot is usually the last ten minutes, once the young people are nicely lurred into a false sense of security the fun is taken away and the God slot begins!

That rather cynical description however is perhaps unfair, and as a youth worker when I do God slots I try and make them interactive, fun and relevant, however I still question the need for them, and the more I learn at Oasis about Youth Work the more I question the need and I think more and more I am beginning to think that there isn’t a need and that often this ‘God Slot’ can hinder the youth work, particually with un-churched kids.

Let’s face it, the last thing a young person wants to do is leave their game of Grand Turismo and listen to something about a God they don’t even believe in, yes some Christian young people would want to (and that’s awesome!), however I think perhaps the way of informing these unchurched young people about God is through ‘Informal Education’

Informal Education (my current essay topic) is basically education through conversation, so the talks you have around a pool table or whatever. In his book on Detached Work Richard Passmore talks about a conversation he has with some kids in a part that moves onto Christianity, often an informal open chat is far more informative for a young person than a ten minute ramble/ God Slot.

I guess this is all thoughts at the moment but comments would be apreciated, what did you think of God slots when you were younger? or perhaps you experience them now? do you think they’re needed?