On an otherwise unrelated visit to New Orleans, I learned the importance and benefit of commitment in sports ministry. No frills. No hype. No famous endorsements. It was just good, old fashioned consistency and dedication. And of course, love for others.
I was in Louisiana to learn about the activities of another ministry and to possibly assist them in developing their own successful strategy for using sports as a ministry tool. At a lunch meeting, I received one of the greatest invitations a person can receive – the invitation for an early evening pick-up basketball game. I accepted without hesitation. I always carry an extra pair of shorts and shoes hoping that I might get the chance to play. This time it came.
I followed the directions to an inner city church. I could tell that the church was older than the neighborhood itself. It was probably one day surrounded by open land, but now was closed in by small unkept houses on every side. The red brick and the new gym seemed to be a stark contrast from all the residences on the street. My prejudices kicked in, and I was prepared to judge the entire congregation for building a nice playground for themselves while the people around them went without because they were different or poor.
Like I said, I learned a lot that day, and my first lesson came when I walked through the gymnasium door. I stuck out like a sore thumb. Not because of my new white shoes, but because of my white face. Being the only white person on the court was normal for me. I grew up in the South, and I have played many games in other countries where I looked and talked differently from almost everyone. I learned a long time ago that skin color has nothing to do with fun in sports. However, my surprise that night came from my unfounded judgment of the church. My assumptions were wrong.
I arrived at the gym at 6:03pm as instructed. I found out later that being on time was very important. Any later, and I could have missed this lesson on commitment altogether.
I began to look around for the woman I was told organized these games every Tuesday night. These weren’t just basketball free-for-alls. This was serious stuff with practice jerseys, a running clock, scoring and rules – strict rules. No fighting. No bad language. Even a bad attitude could get you removed from the gym by vote of the other players. And of course, rule number one, be on time. The doors are open for players between 5:45 and 6:10p. Anyone arriving after 6:10p was not allowed to play that night.
It was now about 6:09. I had not found the lady I was looking for and I noticed all the players starting to gather on the bleachers. As the visitor, I decided to join them when I heard the gym doors closing. This was not your normal pick-up game, and as everyone was checking out the new guy I wondered if there was a way out.
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! What do you think that means?” There was a booming female voice echoing through the gym. She didn’t need a microphone, and everyone was listening. They had to. No one was allowed to play basketball in the gym until 6:25, and they had to be inside by 6:10. She had a captive audience for fifteen minutes. If they wanted to play, they had to listen.
I believe her name was Milly. I’m not sure anymore. When we met, I was distracted by her appearance. She stuck out more than I did. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Why is this little lady here?” You could tell from the gray hair that she had stopped counting birthdays long ago, and I’m not sure she even knew how to dribble a basketball. But, she possessed something very important. She had the key to the gym.
Here’s the lesson. That little key, plus commitment, transformed an entire neighborhood and had an eternal impact on the Kingdom of God. Milly was a model of commitment. Every Tuesday she was there. She had been for years. She was committed to making a difference. She got the church to give her a key, and she set out to do whatever it took to communicate Christ and His love to a group of people in great need.
There weren’t many good places to play in the neighborhood so she believed she had a good resource in the new gym. She started with a dozen kids and she made them follow her rules. There were some rocky times, but everyone figured out that the rules were the rules, and soon she had a growing group of regular players every Tuesday night. They would be waiting at the door when she arrived, and as long as she stayed, they stayed. She worked hard to learn their names, get to know their families, ask about their school work, and let them know specifically how she was praying for them.
The key to the gym made a big difference, but she said the real key to her success was commitment. “I decided when I started that it was all or nothing,” she said. “I haven’t missed a Tuesday night, at least not without having a committed back up here in my place. It took some time, but they trust me now. We’re family. Some of the boys have gone to college now, but they have passed along the tradition to their little brothers who are here tonight.”
I stood there amazed as I listened to two hours of testimonies. There were high school drop outs tutored to degrees. There were kids who came in on drugs, but ended up clean and in Christ. Players got saved in the bleachers and their families got saved later in their homes. It was a miraculous testimony to commitment. Milly had a love that literally would not allow her to quit on these young people.
It was now a little after nine and my new white shoes didn’t even have a scuff. I hadn’t even left the bleachers. Between games, she asked if I wanted to play, but I knew it was time to go.
“One more story,” she said. “You know very few of these kids go to church here. They have there own church now.” “What?” I asked. “You have been doing this for years, and no one has joined your church?” Then she replied, “Some did at first, but over time they became burdened for their friends and families. They knew many of them would never feel comfortable here. So, they went out to get them. They have a congregation now about a mile away from here. I think last Sunday they had about 300 there.”
Commitment. One little gym key and the key to success. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians to, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV) He explained that victory is achieved through a commitment to your goals, hard work, and discipline. That is what Milly did, and her crown is one that will last. On earth, there are the changed lives and a growing church. In heaven, the results are more than she can ever imagine until she sees it for herself.
Characteristics of Commitment That Benefit Sports Ministry
1. A steadfast resolve to accomplish a specific goal or purpose.
We have the purpose of communicating Christ to a lost world. The activities of every day life and the challenges of evangelism in a sinful world can distract us from our purpose. Commitment is required to succeed in Kingdom growth.
2. A dedication to a particular course of action.
Attempts to reach out to a particular people group bring a special set of obstacles and challenges. Perseverance and consistency are not easy. At times, sports ministry leaders may be alone in their faithfulness to minister to a particular group or team. These challenges are overcome with commitment.
3. An obligation to another person or group of people.
The Apostle Paul understood true love. He had such a strong desire to see his Jewish brothers saved, that he even expressed a desire to trade his own eternal salvation on their behalf. Jesus’ entire earthly ministry was to serve and bring all men the opportunity for freedom from sin. They were committed unto death for the salvation of others.
“For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers.” The Apostle Paul (Romans 9:3 NIV)
4. A model of the Christian life.
A Christian’s first obligation is commitment to God. We are committed out of obedience and because God committed to us first. Our second focus is service to others through the love of Christ. Through our committed service of others we demonstrate our commitment to God.
“After that, (Jesus) poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with a towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:5 NIV)
The Results of Commitment in Sports Ministry
1. Earning trust and the right to share.
Sport allows us the opportunity to access certain groups because of common interest and common language. However, trust takes time. It takes time and dedication to integrity and consistency to demonstrate a servant’s heart and selflessness. Commitment allows the opportunity to establish the trust and rapport necessary for evangelism and discipleship.
“Though I (Paul) am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)
2. Right time and right place
Committed people allow God more opportunities to use them. It’s not a matter of simple percentage, but they help. The more time you spend getting to know and serving another person, more opportunity should be available for conversation, questions, and investment into that person’s life. A lack of commitment and consistency can lead to missed chances to communicate Christ. God can work in a single moment and any circumstance, but don’t be the reason He has to. Commit to make yourself available.
3. Commitment is a demonstration of faithfulness.
We are commanded to not only share, but to also teach people to obey. Faith is the foundation to both salvation and an obedient life. Committed believers set an example of faithfulness for others who are learning about Jesus and the requirements of the Christian life.
“Go and make disciples of all nations, ....and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.” (Portions of Matthew 28:19-20)
4. Modeling service above selfishness.
We have the opportunity to represent Christ and His teachings to others in many ways. Living out true commitment is one way that we can demonstrate the truth and benefit of Biblical teachings in opposition to the self-first teachings of this world. Just as Jesus was committed to accomplishing His mission, even at the high cost of His own life, we should live in such a way that we show that we also believe in the value of such a high commitment to selfless Christ centered goals.
“And, being found in appearance as a man, he (Jesus) humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8 NIV)
