This past week, two of my granddaughters, Adia and Kalanie, who play basketball for the Lynden, WA High School Lions, went with their team to the state tournament in Yakima, Washington. I listened on my laptop to their first game and cheered them on from a distance even though they lost to a tough team. Go Lions! And for the last few days I have been thinking about what can be learned from basketball but applied to the church. Let me share with you some of the lessons in this blog. Read on to find out what I observed and learned summarized in seven lessons.
Always go for the "W." How much more important is winning the spiritual battles in life and ministry than gaining a victory in a ball game? Thankfully, we do not win in our own abilities and talents. We win as a church when we depend on the Holy Spirit, are obedient to the Word of God, pray without ceasing as if everything depends on it – it does, and do it in the power of Jesus' name. We have Divine help! And we are to always have our eyes fixed on the goal (Phil. 1:27; Heb. 12:1-2). Our victory is in Jesus and we are to press on toward that goal (Phil. 3:12-15).
Keep practicing and repeating the basics. Winning teams know and focus on the basics of the game. In basketball, these include dribbling, passing, rebounding, shooting (foul shots, floor shots, 3-point shots, etc.), and following the playbook. Some of the basics the church should practice and repeat include praying, sharing your faith, Bible study, participating in small groups, worshipping, fellowshipping, confessing sin, being filled (controlled) with the Holy Spirit, practicing the ever-essential one another commands from Scripture, using your spiritual gift(s), etc.
Winning teams have good coaching. Good sports coaches draw the best out of their players and their team. Great churches have ministry team coaches who use leadership coaching skills such as asking good coaching questions to help their team members discover what God has placed within their hearts. These leader-coaches help their "players" discover and develop spiritual gifts, personal skills, and godly characteristics by listening intently to and observing those they are shepherding in life and ministry. And, believers have the best head coach, our Comforter and Encourager, the Holy Spirit, who lives within us (John 14:15-17, 25-26).
Teamwork is essential for winning. On the basketball court, five players work together so that each one can contribute to the unity of the team while using their skills and spirit. So it is in the church. One or a handful of church members do not work alone – they combine their gifts and talents as a team. When the team works together, passing and rebounding the ball become as important as shooting the ball. In gospel ministry, some plant the seeds, some water the growing plant, and some end up harvesting new believers, but all are needed and all are on the same team (1 Cor. 3:6; 12:7-20).
Team members cheer each other on. Good teams share the good and not-so-good times together. I have watched my girls' teams help each other and cheer them on. This occurs from the players on the bench, shooting free throws, making good plays on offense and defense, going through pre-game introductions, at the beginning and end of games, and even after getting hurt and having to leave the game. Good churches do the same for people in their church who serve the Lord in the spotlight or behind the scenes. When you see or hear something about others serving the Lord, how about giving them a high five, a note of appreciation or congratulations, or a "Praise the Lord! Like a basketball team, church members need to be cheered on by others in their congregation (1 Cor. 12:12-20).
Team huddles are important. A lot happens in a huddle – celebration, encouragement, reminders, next plays or steps, coaching, listening to the coach and other team members, pointing out what your opposition is doing to try to stop you and win, sharing ways to win, etc. Be the leader and call for huddles in your church ministry at crucial times. Do what good sports teams do for the sake of your church team. Huddle up (Gal. 6:2)!
It is important to play to win through all four quarters. Good teams know to play hard through the entire game, especially at the end. To do that, they need to practice hard all week and stay in shape through disciplined practice and workouts. Sometimes it also means teammates need to play through pain or injury from previous battles, or even from the game they are in. The same is true of pastors and church members and the battles they endure for the sake of the gospel. To coin and adapt a famous slogan, "The game is not over until the congregation sings" (2 Tim. 4:7).
What additional lesson can you share about your church from watching sports teams practice or play?
[Photo by Camylla Battani on Unsplash]