Yesterday was a different kind of day- normally my middle school soccer team (which I am very proud of) has games Tuesdays and Thursdays, but this past Thursday we had a team cancel on us, and we just had practice. Seeing as how we don't play until next Tuesday, there wasn't anything pressing to work on, and I decided it would simply be a day where we hit fundamentals very hard.
For an hour and a half I ran my players through things they learned (or should have learned) when they were 6 years old. Over and over again they practiced striking the ball with accuracy, receiving a ball and controlling it, etc. I'm sure it was boring. I'm sure it wasn't thrilling to these guys.
I believe this is a life lesson that applies to everything: when the fundamentals are good, everything is good. You can apply this lesson anywhere, anytime. Why is our government in so much debt? The fundamental law- spend less than you make- wasn't followed. Why are our schools being outperformed by dozens of other countries? We've neglected fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Why are our churches so anemic? We don't know the first thing about the Bible. We don't know who Jesus is. We don't know anything about grace.
The fundamentals. The building blocks of life. The best soccer teams I've ever been on were ones that did the ordinary things- dribbling, passing, defense- extraordinarily well. The best churches I've been in are ones that do the ordinary things- prayer, study, love, grace- extraordinarily well. The most effective Christians I know are ones that have strong fundamental beliefs that lead and guide in every aspect of their lives.
Perhaps it is time to refocus on the fundamentals. Are they exciting? No. Are they thrilling? Nope. Do they make headlines? Not often. Are they essential? Absolutely.
One of my players actually complained yesterday. He said, "You should make this exciting." I stopped practice, called my team around me, and said this, "Let me tell you what "exciting" is. "Exciting" is when the other team knows this stuff and you don't. "Exciting" is when the other team can shoot with accuracy and you can't. "Exciting" is when the other team knows how to play defense and you don't. Exciting? You guys don't need "exciting." You guys need to learn how to play the game."
Maybe Christians are the same way. Maybe we need to learn how to play the game instead of wanting everything to be "exciting." Maybe we need to sit in silence for awhile, basking in the presence of God. Exciting? Maybe not. Maybe we need to begin a serious study of God's Word, not just a verse here and there. Exciting? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe a little less emphasis on excitement and a little more emphasis on fundamentals is exactly what our anemic, comfortable, non-controversial churches need these days. Maybe it's simply what I need.
Worship Night
Catalyst Christian Church, Nicholasville, KY
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Good Christian B**ches
I recently heard that there was a new show planning to run on ABC called, "Good Christian Bitches." It's about a lady who returns to a community and is the subject of malicious talk from the women in the Christian community. No doubt it will be a cross between Desperate Housewives, The Real Housewives of Whatever County, and Sex in the City.
I'm not here to say whether or not it should be aired. My first thought on the subject was, "Why do the writers of this show have this material to work with?" The sin of gossip and slander, unfortunately, is probably the most obvious act of disobedience to Scripture in the church. It is everywhere. Everywhere you look, Christian people, men and women (but women in particular- I'm not being sexist, just observant) slander and gossip and talk maliciously about just about anything you can think of. As a minister, I have been the subject of more malicious talk, gossip, and slander in the church than just about anyone else I know. It flows freely in Christian communities, Christian families, and Christian events.
The thing that hurts even worse is when the unbelieving world sees it and we don't. The writers for this show, unfortunately, aren't going to have to make up ANYTHING. All they have to do is attend church for a few months and they will have all the material they will need. All they have to do is observe Christian conversation in the church hallways. They will probably hear something malicious about a minister or a person in the church. Lord help us if they ever get a hold of private text messages or emails sent from Christian to Christian. That will provide more than enough material for the writers of this show.
I guess what I am trying to say is this- Christians, I am upset about this show, but to be honest, we've brought this on ourselves. I think the reason I am most upset is that it isn't a fabrication. They will probably show a very real portrayal. They will show, on national tv, what happens every day in our communities and churches. They will make fun of us using material WE have provided for them. I say we stop providing them with the material and follow Scripture when it comes to our mouths.
Proverbs 10:19- "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
Ephesians 4:29- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 18:2- "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions."
The list goes on. This TV show has called out the Christian community on one of its biggest areas of disobedience to Scripture. Protest it if you want, but get your own house in order first.
I'm not here to say whether or not it should be aired. My first thought on the subject was, "Why do the writers of this show have this material to work with?" The sin of gossip and slander, unfortunately, is probably the most obvious act of disobedience to Scripture in the church. It is everywhere. Everywhere you look, Christian people, men and women (but women in particular- I'm not being sexist, just observant) slander and gossip and talk maliciously about just about anything you can think of. As a minister, I have been the subject of more malicious talk, gossip, and slander in the church than just about anyone else I know. It flows freely in Christian communities, Christian families, and Christian events.
The thing that hurts even worse is when the unbelieving world sees it and we don't. The writers for this show, unfortunately, aren't going to have to make up ANYTHING. All they have to do is attend church for a few months and they will have all the material they will need. All they have to do is observe Christian conversation in the church hallways. They will probably hear something malicious about a minister or a person in the church. Lord help us if they ever get a hold of private text messages or emails sent from Christian to Christian. That will provide more than enough material for the writers of this show.
I guess what I am trying to say is this- Christians, I am upset about this show, but to be honest, we've brought this on ourselves. I think the reason I am most upset is that it isn't a fabrication. They will probably show a very real portrayal. They will show, on national tv, what happens every day in our communities and churches. They will make fun of us using material WE have provided for them. I say we stop providing them with the material and follow Scripture when it comes to our mouths.
Proverbs 10:19- "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
Ephesians 4:29- "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 18:2- "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions."
The list goes on. This TV show has called out the Christian community on one of its biggest areas of disobedience to Scripture. Protest it if you want, but get your own house in order first.
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