Football Theology: Traits of a Championship Team

I have been paying a little closer attention to football this year.  I watched with interest as Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks won the Superbowl last year, and have become a fan of the team.  As I've been watching, I've developed some thoughts about what it takes to have a championship team, and how that might relate to  ministry leadership.  Here are some of my thoughts.  It's not comprehensive, but it is a start.

1.  Every player must excel at his position, not just the most visible players.  I have noticed that when someone who may not even be an "important" player is not performing, it can make the difference in the game. I watched this year as many of the Seahawks players were injured early in the season.  Although I had not heard of these players previously, they have made a huge difference when they came back.  It is amazing what a team can accomplish when everyone is performing to their maximum capacity.  On your team, every person makes a difference, including you.   Develop your skills. Be a learner.  Do your job like it matters.

 

2.  Lockerroom talk hurts the team.  Problems should be dealt with internally and professionally.  Keep your relationships clean.  Support your fellow teammate.  Be loyal to the team.

 

3.  Every person must play with heart and a passion to win.  Have you ever looked at the sidelines when a football teams has lost?  They look dejected.  Why would that be?  Are they making less money for that game?  No.  Every championship team plays with everything they have because they want to win.  If players have such a passion to win a game, shouldn't we be even more passionate about winning at fulfilling the Great Commission?

 

4.  Persist past obstacles. Sometimes you get a penalty flag thrown, or you have to go the length of the field to score a touchdown to win the game. A championship team will thrive under pressure.  Don't become discouraged. Get the job done in the face of obstacles. 

 

5.  Good coaching is imperative.  

 

6.  Healthy players are very important.  Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, spiritually.  Then, you can give your best to the calling that God has on your life.  Know when to call a timeout.  Players can get tired and make mistakes.  They get weary, and the opposing team can take advantage.

 

7.  Team chemistry is important.  If someone on the team is a trouble maker, the ripple effects can damage the chemistry on your team.  Attention can be drawn away from the mission.

8.  Championship Teams watch game tape.  Teams watch game tape for two reasons:  preparation and improving their play.  First, players on a championship team do everything they can to prepare for the upcoming game.  In the same way, we should be prepared to succeed in what God has called us to do.  Secondly, players watch tape to improve in what they do.  Be willing to learn from your mistakes.

 

9.  Understand how the team wins.  How do you define a win?  It would be silly to play a game without having a way of knowing if you win.

 

10.   Understand how you contribute to the team winning.  What do you do to help the team win?

Dr. Hammar Discusses the Latest Development for the Minister Housing Allowance

In this video, Dr. Hammar discusses the most recent court development regarding the legality of the housing allowance. It's good news! The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a Wisconsin ruling that had deemed it unconstitutional.   
UPDATE Minister's Housing Allowance Ruling from AG Financial Solutions on Vimeo.

In the Capital City

Last week I attended the Southeast Minister's Conference in Juneau.  It always feels like home when I go to Juneau.  I love the land and the people.  Below is the Mendenhall Glacier.

We enjoyed a great meal with the ministers from Southeast at one of my favorite restaurants in Juneau, the Canton House.

It was a blessing to be able to see Sister Peck.  She has served the Lord for so many years in Alaska.  She served in the church where we pastored in Juneau.

His Grace Is Sufficient for Us

Christmas is a time when we remember the birth of Jesus, our Savior.  When Jesus arrived on the scene, the Kingdom of God was ushered in.  With His death and resurrection, the power of sin and death was broken, and we obtained the privilege of living in victory.  However, there are some aspects of the Kingdom that are not yet finalized.  The enemy is still allowed to roam the earth and tempt believers.  Sin still exists in the world, along with sickness and disease.  We look forward to that day when the Lord will descend from Heaven with the trumpet sound, the dead in Christ rise first, and we who remain will be caught up together with the Lord in the air. 

Until that day, we live in a time theologians describe as the already/not yet.  The Kingdom of God has come “already”, in that Jesus has conquered sin, but “not yet”, in that sin and the effects of sin are present on the earth.  We live in that exciting time between the first and second coming of Christ.  It is in this tension and balance in which we must live.  We will bear the grief of losing loved ones, but we have the hope of seeing them again in eternity.

The tendency is to become unbalanced by focusing either too much on the “already” or on the “not yet.”  Those who focus on the “not yet” live in a constant state of defeat, believing that they will never overcome sin or get the victory.  This is not a healthy way to live.  On the other hand, those who over emphasize the “already,”  believe that  if we can muster up enough faith, we will never have to endure hard times.  This overly triumphal thinking can lead to disappointment when we encounter trials. 

The reality is that we will have to endure hard times on this earth.  As you approach this Christmas season, you may be facing various trials and challenges in your life.  This is not in any way an indication of your lack of faith.  Rather, as James tells us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2).  God is able to use hard times in our lives as a means by which to shape and strengthen our faith.

As we face hard times, we can look to Emmanuel, God with Us.  We have His empowering presence in our lives, and we know that His grace is sufficient for us. His power is made perfect in our weakness.  

Visitors

The Bible tells us to be hospitable, so Susan and I allowed a moose and her two babies to stay in our yard for a couple days.  They ate, slept, and used the facilities, all in our front yard.

There's No Place Like Nome

In August, Susan and I had the opportunity to visit Nome, and I preached on Sunday morning.  It was Susan's first time in Nome.  We enjoyed the people there.  Below is the church facility.

Susan and I enjoyed the hospitality of Dr. Liu (pictured below), along with Bob and many others.

This was Wyatt Earp's old house.  Apparently he doesn't live there anymore.

This the view from Subway, looking out to the coast.

This is a shot of the village, looking out the back of the church.

On the Top of the World!

I had the opportunity to go to Barrow this past September with the young adult group from MCA, partnering with Inupiat AG and the North Slope Borough.  It was my first trip to the North Slope, and I loved it.  I truly enjoyed the culture and getting to know some fantastic people.

One highlight was the opportunity to watch the Barrow High Whalers play a football game.  It was cold!  What a unique environment to play in.

Pastor JR Markle was a great host, and we enjoyed fellowship with him and appreciated his leadership.