In the Game, Sidelines, or Stands?

For the past five weeks, some of the men in my church are participating in a discipleship study called, “Real-Life Discipleship: Equipping Disciples Who Make Disciples”. I am really enjoying it and has been convicting and stimulating, with much to do every day and things to think about. Not to mention getting together with the guys and talking through our struggles and successes.

On the last day of week one, the author posted a graphic similar to the picture above, of the three vantage points for a football game: the stands, sidelines, and in the game. He says that sadly most Christians believe that the Christian life can be played from the stands as spectators. They never suit up, get on the field and share Jesus Christ with anyone, let alone make disciples. Instead, they watch their pastors and paid ministers play because why not — that’s what the congregation pays them to do through tithes and offerings.

Since the book never expounds on this scenario past a small paragraph, let’s analyze each vantage point and see what we can do to fix these problems of players not playing.

The stands

People sit in the stands to watch the game, not play in it. From this point, they pay to sit there and be entertained by those actually playing and doing the work. From here they cheer or boo depending on what the outcome is on the field. They yell, and make noise, but never dare get on the field and actually do what the players do; like “armchair quarterbacks,” they don’t participate in the action but are compelled to make judgments about it.

The same is true with those who view what is going on in ministry from afar. They never participate in evangelism, sharing the gospel, or true discipleship; but criticize those who do. Well-known evangelist, D.L. Moody responded to one such person who was critical of the way he evangelized. He said:

“It is clear you don’t like my way of doing evangelism. You raise some good points. Frankly, I sometimes do not like my way of doing evangelism. But I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.”

D.L. Moody

Therefore, those in the stands are unprepared and unengaged. Unprepared to get on the field with lack of training and equipment, and unengaged with lack of motivation or willpower to do so.

The sidelines

In a football game, those in the sidelines are there for two reasons: direct the players, and keep the game in check. There are many positions that are filled by many people. Coaching staff, water carriers, physical trainers, cheerleaders, and more. Not to mention the refs and “chain gang” keeping the rules and score in check.

But what about the players? This is where they get rejuvenated from working so hard on the field, get healed or even water for them to drink to stay hydrated. This is a place for the players to get instruction, encouragement, and refreshment. This is the fellowship of the church building, Sunday service, or bible studies through the week. Whatever it is, it is internal to those playing on the field. These are players who are able to do the job, but need rest, coaching, guidance, and encouragement. They are prepared with the necessary skill and equipment, but unengaged because they are sitting out for what should be a temporary reason.

Coaching Staff

The coaching staff in this scenario is made up of the Pastors, Elders, Evangelists and Teachers. Those who are instructing players on how to play the game, tactics, and creating plays. In the scenario of the church, the rulebook and plays are the Bible [or at least should be].

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV

Pastors, evangelists, teachers, and the sort have the duty of training and equipping the church to go into all the world to be fishers of men, and make disciples. This glorifies God, who is the owner of the team in this regard, by increasing His kingdom.

Coaches run drills, look at film, and try to find out the skills the players have to do the job that is required. Some have abilities to perform in certain positions, others are better at other positions. But it is the duty of the coaching staff to see where their players fit, and make them better players. The only difference with the church is that the Elders, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are also to play the game, and not sit on the sidelines. They are not exempt from witnessing and also need to hone their craft in sharing the gospel as well.

Other Staff

There are other staff like Waterboys and Team Managers who run the physical aspects of the team. Making sure there is enough water and balls for the game, equipment is safe and undamaged. These would be referred to in the church as Deacons. Where the Pastors, Elders, and Evangelists play out as taking care of the spiritual needs of the church, Deacons care of the physical needs. This can be building maintenance, making sure the snack ministry is well equipped, communion elements are available, and so on.

It is important that those on the field playing the game, sharing the gospel, and making disciples are encouraged and taken care of by those who are not engaged. There are times where the boo’s and yelling from the stands drowns out the calls from coaches and the encouragement from cheerleaders. The players look downfield and all the ground they have to cover to get to the goal, and are taunted by the enemy only wanting to stop their every move. Thinking to themselves as they hear the boo’s from the stands — If you think you can do it better, why don’t you come down here and try.

Players in the Game

Players in the game are prepared and engaged to play the game. They are equipped with the necessary uniform, pads and helmet. They are prepared to play the game, know the plan, and able to get the ball down the field to score to win the game. They have performed best during practice, retained the information, spent much time in the weight room, and are physically fit to perform and do the job. They put in the work at practice to perform at the highest level during the game, eat nutritious food, and maintain their body in peak performance on and off the field. Everything in their life revolves around winning the game.

The same is true for those who share Jesus and are making disciples. They do what it takes to get the job done, and prepare themselves to do it. They learn all they can about God’s Word, sharing the gospel, and teaching others how to do it. They don’t need proding or pulling; they are eager, willing, and able to do it. They are prepared: have the know-how, skill, will, and desire to share the gospel; and engaged: putting it into practice in the world and doing it.

Where are you in regards to sharing Jesus and making disciples?

So, Christian, where are you during the game? Are you in the stands as a spectator watching from afar or are you in the game making plays and winning? Maybe you are beat up from playing and need rest or need more help? Be honest with yourself. Here are some things to consider.

Where are you in the graph on the left in relation to your skill and challenge level in evangelism. Be honest. Maybe you have no skill in sharing the gospel and it seems impossible and therefore makes you anxious and fearful. Maybe you are really good at it, but yet are cool as a cucumber because you are never challenged and actually go out and evangelize; or maybe you don’t care to play at all and are apathetically in the stands. Spend time here to determine where you are at. It will help you assess what your needs are.

The goal in this graph is to be in a flow state: being very prepared and having the necessary skill and knowledge to accomplish any task given, at the same time always being challenged to do better, reach more people, and a hunger to learn and grow. People in the flow state are not perfect, which keeps them humble. What makes people in the control state different from flow state, is contentment. The control-state-evangelist is content with where he or she is at in their walk and doing well; the flow-state-evangelist is doing well, but knows there is improvement to be made somewhere and wants to do even better.

With these in mind, here are some questions to ask yourself:

In the stands?

1. If you are in the stands, why are you there? Are you afraid to play, or do you just not care? What is one thing you can do or strive for to put on the uniform and receive coaching?
2. Do you care to play in the game at all? If so, write down reasons you don’t care to have more skill or challenged to share your faith. Many times, people in this group are truly not born-again and have never surrendered themselves to Christ. Maybe they prayed the “Sinners Prayer” for life-enhancement and never counted the cost of what it means to play the game.
3. Who will you contact and ask for help to get discipled, gain skills, get spiritually fit and play on the field?

On the sidelines?

1. As a player, has something happened in your walk to be compelled to stay on the sidelines? Maybe a bad conversation with a lost person, death in the family, or just wore out? Consider seeking prayer and guidance from your Pastor or Elder.
2. As a player, do you feel as though you are not equipped enough to play, struggling to get better, or just maybe hesitant to get on the field? What is stopping you? What emotions come about thinking about sharing the gospel with a stranger?

On the field?

1. How well do you think you are doing? Are there any special skills you would like to learn or be equipped to do? If you are in flow-state, what are some things that you lack? From whom can you learn from? Even if this means finding someone outside of your normal fellowship. Example: If I want to be better at door-to-door evangelism, I need to find someone who can coach me. But I cannot do this in my fellowship because no one is equipped to help me; I must look at other fellowships and churches to get that information. Thankfully, if we are all on the same team, I can receive instruction from other Evangelists who do it on the regular. What special skill are you wanting to learn?
2. What does it mean to be a Team Captain? It means being a leader. What can you do today to share your information and experience to disciple others?

No matter if you are in the stands, the sidelines, or on the field, there is always room for improvement and honeing your skills. If you are struggling to find help getting to the next level, contact me. Let’s learn together and let the Holy Spirit make you the soul-winner you always wanted to be.