Maybe you have heard this one before…
A father took his 5-year-old son to several baseball games where The Star-spangled Banner was sung before the start of each game.
Then the father and son attended a church on a Sunday shortly before Independence Day. The congregation sang The Star-spangled Banner, and after everyone sat down, the little boy suddenly yelled out, “PLAY BALL!!!”
While this young man was humorously confused about the appropriate time for the National Anthem and the opening Christian hymn or song in a church service, perhaps he had more right than wrong.
Often, we as “fans” of Christianity cheer for the super stars of the faith on the faith field. We gather Sundays to drink a cup or two of coffee, have a donut, find our seats, listen to home team songs, and wait to witness the outcome of the pastor’s pitch. Our team figuratively wins if they listen and execute well the disciplines, doctrines, and devotion, of a home game offering.
Just as in baseball, there is always a winner and a loser. Unlike baseball, though, the church’s opponent is prepared to not only beat our team, but to beat the fans soundly, too.
What are the gameday strategies that will come against our resolute players and fans? Atheism, relativism, naturalism, humanism, slipping mores and norms, a constant affront to ethical conduct, and evil in general. In short, they have come to play, and the winner takes all.
Years ago, I had a friend who believed that if he had been a better fan when his team lost, they would have won. In other words, his lack of wearing the right jersey or using the correct beer koozie—even taking an untimely bathroom break, could mean an “L” in the win/loss column.
While it is doubtful that my friend’s actions had anything to do with success, for the church team, it is all about the fan being engaged. Many have commented that the Seattle Seahawks’ football team has a twelfth man—the noisy, fan-crazed-crowd, that confuses communications for the opposing team.
Sadly, the church has become increasingly silent as its team has slumped in recent seasons. Attendance has fallen-off and even the die-hard types are questioning whether it is time to find another object of affection. The fundamentals of prayer, study, engagement, and execution, each find increasing resistance and futility even for the most devout.
However, like so many underdogs of the past, the church will likely have a resurgence in the future. Fresh faces, hungry hearts, and passionate souls will rise from a beleaguered farm system to take their place in the generations to follow.
In case you were wondering, at least eight major league baseball teams have had a world series drought greater than 36 years with the Cleveland Indians sporting a 72-year deficiency before snapping the abysmal record.
So, keep believing church and play ball!
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church. He can be reached at kent@canyon-church.com.