Yes, you read the title correctly. I’ve just had quite an experience with farts (not mine) this weekend. They have such a power over guys that seems to facilitate male bonding.

Case in point 1: Men’s Biscuts and Gravy Breakfast

We had a Men’s breakfast at our church with guest speaker Jim Horsley a former Blue Angel. I invited some freshmen guys to come. They’re non-churched, but the lure of free biscuits and gravy couldn’t be denied. As in most church events, men come, eat and leave as fast as possible so they don’t have to cleaning up. We needed some extra hands, so I kept the young guys around to help. I usually spend time with them individually and as a group they don’t get along. There was some early bickering until one of them ripped a fart. Then they all broke out in laughter. It became a total gas fest after that. We moved tables and laughed for the next hour.That fart was the ultimate ice breaker. Afterwards, they all decided to go and hang out together. These are guys, who don’t typically like each other, were now bonding.

Case in point 2: Brothers

James (my 5 year old son) has recently learned the art of brown nosing. If you don’t know what a brown nose is, let me explain. It involves getting your butt as close to someone’s face as possible and ripping one. The other day he got in trouble for farting in Aida’s face. So when I went into his room this morning, he and Samuel (my 2 yr old son) were laughing and laughing. James was brown nosing Aida’s baby dolls. He was teaching his brother how to do it too. Ahh, brothers bonding are such an amazing thing.

I’m not quite sure how this could ever fit into a book on youth ministry, but the fart is an unmistakable bonding tool for boys (and men).

Any other unspoken ministry tools that we can’t typically mention?

For more facts on farts, go here…