Playing Hardball with Church Softball

This past week, during my sermon on male leadership I used an illustration about Church Softball. My point in the illustration was to cause ALL of the men in the church to ask questions about how they spend their time. Softball is an easy target because many of the men at our church are involved in it. They love to play softball. The point was not to put down those men that do play softball but to ask all men in the church to investigate how they spend their time.

I started off the point by asking, "Is your spiritual tank full?" This was in response to the point that men, who are called to provide spiritually for their families must have a full spiritual tank in order to provide anything at all. Of course, I was able to speak with a few softball players after the service and we had a good laugh while also realizing the importance of the point.

The point was NOT to say that NO ONE should be playing softball or that those who do play are somehow spiritually bankrupt. This was made clear in the sermon. The point was for those who are spiritually bankrupt or empty to take inventory and reprioritize and for those who feel as if they have it all together to re-examine themselves in light of Jesus Christ. If our men do not study the Scriptures in depth but are able to hit home runs than we have accomplished nothing as a body. We need spiritually sound minds in our men and this is accomplished by being challenged in God's Word. Many of the men on our teams are spiritual giants and many others do struggle to stay focused. As with any other point from a sermon--if the shoe (or in this case the cleat) fits...lace it up and run with it.

But the challenge is also for me. I am your pastor and I want to offer something for you men that I would want to go to. Sometimes we reason that softball/sports are ways to spend quality time with each other while another Bible Study is just a waste of time. I don't believe that is the case in the coming months with what we are offering. This Fall, I am offering a class for all of the men in our church, that I believe, will revolutionize our lives, our homes and our walks with the Lord. It is called, "The Walk of Repentance". This study will transform your life and I am asking you to give me the opportunity to prove it. We are starting in September and we will run this class all year long. It is for all men for all walks and stages of maturity. More on this soon.

For now, brothers press on and may the love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.