Baseball season is here. As a Cubs fan – I am eternally hopeful. As a follower of the White Sox and the Brewers my opportunity for seeing lots of baseball is very high. I like baseball because it is such a good example of what the church is supposed to be like in real life.
Baseball is the epitome of a “team” game. Fact is all of my favorite sports fit this description except for golf. But think with me just a bit about what it means to be a part of the team.
Every baseball team in the Major Leagues is allowed to carry 25 players. Each team carries around 10 pitchers and 15 position players. Every team has an Owner, a General Manager, a Manager and 4-6 coaches, each having varying degrees of responsiblity for the teams success. And here is one thing that I know. The team that wins the world series is the team that for one season has its management, coaching staff, pitchers and position players carry out their roles at the highest level for the whole season. Major League Baseball for the most part has the best players in the world pretty evenly divided over all the teams. (Yankee fans and haters just be quiet – they all think that the Yankees have paid for the best players)
If I were to divide the church into a baseball team it would look a little bit like this.
Owner: God - He has paid the price
General Manager: Jesus – he has developed the team
Field Manager: the Pastor – he has been given the task of casting the vision and calling the plays.
Coaching Staff: the Elders – they are teachers and supports of the managers vision and the players abilities.
Pitchers: Deacons – Have specific roles – Some long term, (starters) other short term, (relievers)
Position Players: the congregation – everyone is involved in every play – sometimes the ball is hit directly at you – sometimes you have to back someone up. You may be a starter playing nearly every day or perhaps you are a bench player, playing only when someone is hurt or your specific talent or skill is needed. Every team needs every position filled. In fact every team in the majors has 5-6 minor league teams where players are trained for the major league teams. In the church these might be small groups or
Fans: the world’s people – wanting to be a part of the team!
The good news is that in the church we are all a part of the team. We all have a role – we all have tasks and just like on a baseball team a member of the team is unable to do their part – then the whole church, the whole team suffers.
I love baseball season. Come on Cubs! And I love the church! Come on First Christian!
Your Pastordude!
