Christian Leadership, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Life, Sports

Baseball and the Church Are Quite Similar

Yesterday Opening Day.

We’ll forget the fact that three games had been played before yesterday. Thursday was the day baseball fans traditionally point to as the “true” beginning of the season. Opening Day is and has always been about smelling the grass, reliving childhood memories, and believing that your team can win it all – even if you are a Cubs fan.

Yesterday, I attended my first Opening Day. A good friend and I went to Cincinnati for the Reds’ opening tilt against the struggling Marlins. (It’s odd to say that the Marlins are struggling, but through two games this season they have already given up more than 20 hits to the Cardinals and Reds.) Being in the stands allows you to experience all that Opening Day has to offer. It is a very traditional and special time in the life of sports fans, even if the temperatures were a little too cold for my desire in the shade. (Yes, I should have worn a coat.)

As a pastor and a baseball fan I cannot help but notice how baseball and the church are very similar. Of course, I’m not proposing we worship the game of baseball. That would be foolish and against true worship of the Triune God. Yet, there are some characteristics that both share which, I believe, helps us to understand the church as both an institution and a movement. Continue reading “Baseball and the Church Are Quite Similar”

Christian Leadership, Christianity, Devotion, Faith, Life, News

Tips for a Pastor in an Election Year

In any community, pastors maintain a large network of influence that goes beyond the walls of their assigned congregation. We are seen as God’s representatives in a community and, for better or worse, the community’s moral compass. That’s why many look to pastors for guidance on community issues and concerns.

Many pastors have the ability to serve their communities with grace and humility without abusing their influence as pastors. But, pastors are human and we can make mistakes in judgments just like anyone else. One area where the potential for making mistakes in judgment can occur is when pastors enter into political discussions, especially in an election year. Pastors run the risk of abusing their influence in a community, and in their church, by becoming partisan in their discussion of certain issues or advocating one candidate over another.

For the most part, pastors are unprepared on how to properly engage the political sphere and how to be cautious in an election cycle. The most advice many pastors receive is to be political without being partisan. That is sound advice. However, it raises a question: What does that mean? The pastor is left to interpret the statement for themselves and their congregation. (For the record, my conference has done an excellent job of getting information to pastors about how to be political without being partisan.)

In general, the statement intends for the pastor to not vocally support a political candidate from the pulpit, while leaving open for the pastor to engage the many social issues facing our communities, nation, and world. However, a pastor would be wise to not stop with just that suggestion. A pastor must be cautious in all areas in how to engage the political without being partisan. As a former journalist and public policy writer who is currently a pastor, I offer these few tips to pastors who desire to be political without being partisan.  Continue reading “Tips for a Pastor in an Election Year”

Christian Leadership, Christianity, Life, Sports, Thoughts from Sports

The Curious Case of Tim Tebow: How an Athlete is at the Center of a Polarized Culture

Tim Tebow is an interesting case study.

He is the kind of guy you want your daughter to date. Tebow is a strong Christian who is rooted in God’s love. We’re not talking about the celebrity form of Christianity, in which one claims to be a Christian but you never see any fruit. Tebow is authentic in his faith and charitable in his care for others.

Yet, Tebow is the last person you want starting for your favorite NFL franchise. Sure, Tebow managed to lead the Denver Broncos to a postseason victory over the Steelers, but he is much maligned for his style of play. His style is more suited for the college game, which Tebow was, perhaps, one of the best ever winning a Heisman and two national titles. Tebow’s biggest weakness has been his ability to accurately throw a pass, which is something a quarterback is expected to do.

This week, Tebow was traded to the New York Jets after the Broncos acquired Peyton Manning. It has led to usual discussion that accompanies Tebow in the NFL. On one side, you have those who believe Tebow is not a starting quarterback and should change positions. On the other side of the debate are those who believe Tebow has been unfairly criticized because of his faith and that his record shows he can play in the NFL.

It is a debate that will not go away with Tebow moving to the country’s media center. With this maybe another question needs to be asked. Why is Tebow such a polarizing individual and what does it mean for all of us? Continue reading “The Curious Case of Tim Tebow: How an Athlete is at the Center of a Polarized Culture”