Do you realize that most people who are on a team in sports, are on the bench? This is true of college and professional sports. A professional football team has some 55 players, but only 11 can be on the field at any given time. A baseball team has 25 players, but can only field 9. A basketball team can only put 5 players on the floor, but will have as many as 15 players on the team. Most players are on the bench.
From my playing days in high school and college, I do remember the times I was on the bench. The one thing that was constantly on my mind was “How can I get in the game?”
Actually, being on the bench is not entirely bad. Those on the bench cheer, encourage, and even pray for those who on the field and in the fight. How discouraging it is to be in enemy territory, giving your all and there is no one there to encourage you. Those on the bench provide the encouragement. Also, the bench provides substitutions. Sometimes those in the game must come out. Injury, age, or even ineffectiveness will cause someone to be replaced. The replacement is usually on the bench. Yet, even when a player comes to the bench, the chief thing on her mind is “How can I get back in the game? When will I be allowed back in the game?”
Here’s my question, “When it comes to the Kingdom of God, are you in the game?” Like in sports, I find that the majority of people are on the sidelines. I know because I’ve been there with them. Nevertheless, most are on the sidelines cheering and encouraging those who are in the game – in the fight. However, what I also see is that not many on the sidelines are asking the question, “How can I get in the game?” There seems to be a contentment and complacency with just watching and cheering. But to actually get in the game is not a concern. However, this should not be the case.
Unlike sports, the Kingdom of God does not put a limit on how many can be on the field at any given time. If you want to get in the game, you can get in the game! You don’t have to wait for someone to come out, get injured, or retire. You can get in the game now. In fact, I encourage you to do it. I encourage you to get off the sidelines and into the game. How? Well one way is church planting.
EA Sports, the popular video game producer, has an unforgettable tag line. It simply says,
“EA Sports…Its in the Game!” If I can borrow from them and say,
“Church Planting…Its in the Game!”
Church planting is one of those front line – in the trenches – position. As part of a church plant you realize very quickly that you are in the game – in the fight. You also realize that you are in enemy territory and you need all the cheering, encouraging, and praying others can do. Yet you also see that you need more help on the field. You need others who will get in the game with you and play to win – fight to overcome. So I ask again, “Are you in the game?”
You should be. You can be. If you are not, I encourage you to join us. Should you join us, you will quickly find, that church planting…“is in the game!”