I said there was more previously on the connections between team play in football and the Church.
The point I left with was that the Church thrives based on Jesus as the one who is key to it, knowing its instructions and effectively covering them, just like a football team flourishes on the basis of a good manager.
From that foundation, the team flourishes. And what a glorious flourishing it is to see a football team flourish, reflecting its manager's style, personality and philosophy. As we appreciate more these days, the team is not just the 11 players that might start a game or even those that finish the game. The team is about all those in the playing squad. They have a crucial role in the team's operations as long as they are fit and capable. They know they have a vital responsibility if they are in the starting eleven. If they’re on the subs bench, they know they can be called on at any time in the game, so they must be ready. Even if they haven’t made the subs bench, those players still owe it to the team to be highly self-motivated to push those on the bench and the pitch, realising that the manager can select them at any moment. Not only is there the competitive element of pushing others in the squad, but there’s also the collaborative element of understanding the bigger picture of the goals the team is looking to achieve. If there’s trust in the manager and open lines of communication to understand what’s needed and why, even the disgruntled player who hasn’t made the matchday squad knows there’s still something for him to do to help both himself and the team.
How does that relate to the church? Jesus’ vision of the church makes us aware that every single one of us has a role to play. We may not all be in the first team or on the bench, but we have contact with the manager, who informs us of our role. As we appreciate the significance of that role, we won’t allow ourselves to see ourselves as insignificant. We’ll acknowledge what we need to do and focus on doing that to the best of the ability God gives us as we see the greater glory of God as far more important than our self-indulgent whims. When we’re aware that as much as Christ has gifted people in certain positions in the team, the focus should still be on Christ for direction, and then we won’t have to get caught up in petty issues, for the same Christ that gifted those still gifts us to make a vital contribution to His Body.
Regarding positions, I love the element of football that considers the team's formation. It is not advised to have everyone chasing after the ball. Just as we’re aware that, for the majority of the game, we won’t have the ball. So, our position in the game will be necessary regarding the role we can play when our team doesn’t have possession and when it does. It helps to know the position we’re called to occupy and the key skills and abilities required. As we appreciate and grow in that, we’ll be of use to our team in the style our manager wants to play. There are specialists in their positions from whom others can learn and excel in their work. Some versatile players are blessed to be able to cover several positions and can cover if the occasion requires. We trust the manager to know the game we’re playing and the opposition and to place us in the right formation with the right instructions to maximise our strengths and give us the best chance of winning. We dare not take it upon ourselves to think we can do whatever we want or get caught up in the emotion of the game and forget our instructions. That’s not to say the manager doesn’t trust us; indeed, part of the team's development enables us to see flexibility within the system and use the initiative he allows us if situations change. This initiative, however, has been forged in time on the training pitch, knowing who we are, how we play and when it’s right to be innovative.
It is reassuring to know that Jesus has formed His church in the right way to reflect what He wants to do on the earth. He knows what He’s doing in forming us this way. It’s for us to grow to understand what that means. We learn through following His instructions and reflecting on His character. A character that is meek and humble, ever hungering for righteousness and expressing the merciful spirit that allows righteousness to blossom in the quest to make peace from a pure heart. As we adopt those characteristics and exercise them in the positions and relationships He puts us in, we’ll learn how to operate in every given situation. We’ll understand why the team approach tends to be the favoured approach to a solo one. We’ll learn how our qualities, gifts and abilities are ideally suited to serving each other and our sphere of influence to reflect the King and His Kingdom. We learn to do this over time and through action, though. This is how we train ourselves in righteousness – in doing Kingdom business with each other to put the King on display.
For His Name's Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
