Editorial: What robotics taught me about the church

Movement DFW commissioned a study in 2021 of youth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to find out why they are leaving the church. I will quote one of their findings in whole, because I want you to pay close attention to it. Don’t react. Just listen.

“The majority of all those interviewed cited three reasons. They see church as (1) irrelevant: teaching is outdated and confusing; (2) unloving: lack of care for those who are different; (3) inauthentic: seeks to be manipulative.”

The important follow-up is “what Dallas-Fort Worth area young people want from their churches: (1) teaching that connects to their everyday lives, (2) to be heard and understood by their church leaders, (3) to be involved in and beloved by their church, (4) to see their friends experience that same welcome.”

I found a place where some of them can find—and do find—what they want from their churches. But it’s not the church. The church could be that place, though.

Where I found a model

Walking into the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston during the First Robotics World Championship mid-April felt like what it must be like entering the Olympic village. The air was electric with energy and excitement, and the sea of faces came from all over the world.

First Robotics reported more than 18,000 students and another 30,000-plus coaches, mentors, family and friends from 59 countries attended the 2023 championship.

What impressed me the most, though, was the concerted effort shown to welcome and care for every teenager there. Every one of them was valued. There’s a lesson in there for the church.

What’s this First Robotics thing?

For those unfamiliar with First Robotics competitions, it’s organized chaos. Local events generally have one field and regional events have two fields on which all participating teams compete. The massive first floor of the Houston convention center was covered with eight fields.

Three teams form an alliance—red or blue—and then work together to win the match against the other alliance. Alliances change from match to match as they progress through qualifying rounds toward the semi-finals and then finals. There’s more to it, but I only have so much space in this editorial.

First in Texas events might have 60 or 70 qualifying matches per event. The world championship had about 130 qualifying matches on each of the eight fields.

Each robot is built, programmed, marketed and driven by a team of students, each with their own role on the team. These robots aren’t small, and they’re fast. They can hurt you. Students have to be OSHA certified.

In addition to the students, each team has at least one coach and a group of adult mentors.

The core values of First Robotics

First founder Dean Kamen has thoroughly inculcated a set of core values into First Robotics, and he’s very evangelistic about them. They are:

• “Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
• Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
• Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
• Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
• Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
• Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!”

Gracious Professionalism and Coopertition are two other First values. Both involve equal parts fierce competition, kindness, respect and cooperation.

From the time you walk in the door until you walk out—and all through the season leading up to the championship—these values are enacted consistently, top to bottom.

During his championship monologue, Kamen proclaimed the world would be a better place if everyone lived according to these values. And about 50,000 people—plus those watching online—believed him.

It’s no wonder children and youth who become involved in First Robotics enjoy it so much. They are valued, celebrated and challenged there in a way they may not be—and often aren’t—anywhere else. Many of the youth I saw in Houston would not find welcome in some of our churches. They also wouldn’t be valued or celebrated. I can say that because I’ve seen it.

What robotics taught me about the church

First Robotics is not the church. The church has some values and convictions First doesn’t have. But that doesn’t mean the church can’t learn from and interact with First Robotics.

I see in First Robotics a model for how the church can embody Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

First isn’t known for being judgmental; the church is. Because First welcomes all people without judgment, it stands as a clear example of what a gracious welcome might look like. Remember, welcome is one of the key things youth are looking for in a church. The church needs to ask: “Are we going to judge them or welcome them?”

First reignited in me the same deep excitement I had when I started a ministry to hot air balloonists in the mid-2000s. Hot air ballooning offers tangible ways to minister to people in key situations. So does robotics.

People who love Jesus and care about people and who also have mechanical, engineering, electrical, hydraulic, programming, marketing, fundraising or motivational skills can be mentors or coaches for a robotics team. First always is looking for adult mentors and coaches. Why shouldn’t followers of Jesus sign up?

Is there room in robotics for the church? Absolutely. Is there room in the church for robotics? I hope so, because “robotics” here is also a placeholder for a myriad of places Jesus is calling us to follow his lead and to embody his good news where people are. When we do that, young people won’t have to go looking for the church they want—and need. The church will already be with them.

Eric Black is the executive director, publisher and editor of the Baptist Standard. He can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed are those solely of the author.