Bowling and Chrisitanity

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The final contradictory issue to discuss between the bowling industry and Christian beliefs is when the competitions are scheduled. Tournaments are typically held on Sundays (and Saturdays as well if needed) due to the fact that most tournaments take six to eight hours and even longer, and for extended amount of days. This contradicts Christian belief because Sundays are usually reserved for worshiping God through church services. Attending church regularly is impossible if you own a bowling center or compete in bowling. As well, if you are an owner this means that you are keeping your employees from church services on Sundays. “In a survey of pastors and members of 16 declining congregations in the US and Canada, respondents most commonly identified competing Sunday activities as the primary reason for the decline in Sunday worship attendance” (McMullin). The lack of participation in church is normal in the bowling community due to the framework of competitions. Personally I have been bowling since the age of three and I can say from personal experience that almost every Sunday my family and I were on the road bowling a tournament, much like hundreds and thousands of other bowlers across the country and nation. One way to overcome the battle of not being able to attend church regularly would be to worship among family and fellow bowlers. Matthew 18:20 says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (KJV). While traveling with the bowling team here at Emmanuel we definitely take this to heart. All of our competitions take place on Sundays, but we always gather together before we compete and have our own worship as a team.

As I look into the future of owning my own bowling center I am apprehensive about the industry as a whole, and how it might impact my faith. I know what goes on in the industry on a daily basis and yet I still love it. I try to look past the drunken league bowler, and the one who is only there to make a buck. Instead of focusing on them I try to see the greater good that bowling is. The way I see bowling lights up my world. I love to watch a young child fall in love with the game. I love the smiles I get to see when somebody who struggles with daily activities is able to participate. Most of all, my favorite aspect about the bowling community is that it does not discriminate like other athletics tend to. There are no age, height, or weight requirements in bowling. There is only the opportunity to have a good time with people of all shapes, sizes, ages, genders, races, and religions. Everyone is equal and has equal opportunity. It is such a blessing to be able to help people of all kinds come together to form life long bonds. In the future I hope to be able to fund organizations such as kids bowl free and Special Olympics. On their website, Special Olympics says: “Although Bowling does not belong to the Olympic sports, it is among the most popular sports in Special Olympics. It is a particularly beneficial sport to people with intellectual disabilities, irrespective of their age or sports abilities, since it ensures physical exercise and at the same time participation and social integration”. I have personally witnessed this, and the pure joy you see on their faces when they are bowling is one the single greatest things in bowling. As well as being involved with children and the Special Olympics I would love to partner with a church that could do a weekly service at the bowling center.

Overall, owning a bowling center can be very challenging to balance as a Christian. For me personally, it will not discourage me from the industry because I am very passionate about the sport itself as well as developing other programs within it. I would love to develop programs for kids, families, and special needs individuals. Already at the bowling center my parents own we invite groups from assisted living, traumatic brain injury facilities, halfway houses, and school programs to come in an enjoy the sport. One program that is very dear to me is the kids bowl free program. I hope to expand on that and create a family environment where followers of Christ can come in and learn the sport while expressing their faith and experiences with one another. My ultimate goal, which was passed on from my parents, is to transform the industry from its original persona to a family friendly environment for all people of all ages. 1 Timothy 4:12 says “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (KJV). It is through this bowling alley that I hope to reach out to others and make a difference in the community.

Works Cited

"BibleGateway." Ephesians 4:28 NIV - - Bible Gateway. N.p., n.d.

Garber, Steven. Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good. Downers Grove,

IL: IVP, an Imprint of InterVarsity, 2014. Print.

“Ken Paton: Your Bowling Loan Center.” Web.

http://www.kenpaton.com/Industry-Summary.html

Mcmullin, Steve. “The Secularization of Sunday: Real or Perceived Competition for Churches.”

Review of Religious Research 55.1 (2012): 43-59. Print.

“Sandy Hansell & Associates, Inc.: Bowling Center Brokers.” Web.

http://www.sandyhansell.com/

“Special Olympics: Bowling.” Web. http://www.specialolympics.org/Bowling.aspx

The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769; King James Bible Online, 2017.

www.kingjamesbibleonline.org.