A few days ago, I shared about my nephew Miles and his basketball playing skills. For him, basketball is more than something you “have to do” in P.E. for one month. Miles isn’t playing because of curriculum, he’s playing because he loves basketball. It’s not just a hobby for him, it’s a lifestyle. For Miles, it’s not just a game, basketball is a way of life.
He’s got the right clothes, shoes, socks, sweatband…
He has the lingo down. Miles talks like someone who loves basketball.
He’s devoted. He practices at home for hours.
He talks the talk and he walks the walk.
Miles has another uncle who was like this with basketball.
Uncle “J” used to be ready for a game of basketball anytime, anywhere. That’s right, he ALWAYS had a pair of basketball shorts on underneath whatever he was wearing. And he was either wearing basketball shoes or had them in his car ready to go.
When I say Jason always wore basketball shorts under whatever else he was wearing, I’m not exaggerating. He actually had basketball shorts on under his tux at his wedding. We’re not talking hobby now, we’re talking way of life… the basketball lifestyle.
Have you ever played some sport you didn’t really care about—but you did it because you HAD TO (P.E. curriculum, the family reunion volleyball game, or because of excessive peer pressure)?
I have. I did my duty, and that was the last time I played.
For me it was the family reunion volleyball game. The powers that be would not take “No” for an answer. I HAD TO play.
But it’s just not my thing.
I don’t know the lingo and obviously don’t know the rules. I didn’t have the right clothing on and I’m never going to buy the right clothing…
Because volleyball isn’t my way of life.
I played the game and now I am done (unless I get badgered by my mom or wife or daughter and have to begrudgingly do it again).
Does anybody know what I’m talking about?
On the other hand, basketball was my sport. I played on a team when I was my nephew’s age. I spent hours, not just in practice and at games, but in my driveway shooting hoops.
At home, I would shoot 100 free throws in a row and count how many I made. At one point, I made 82 out of 100. I got so good at shooting free throws, I could make ‘em with my eyes closed.
That’s basketball as a lifestyle. I’m talking way of life.
And that is exactly what a church “on mission” looks like. It’s more than just a game we begrudgingly participate in…
I know we’re all here for different reasons. Some got badgered into coming. There are as many agendas for church in the room as there are people. If we were to put a 3×5 card on every chair and instructed everyone to fill in the blank, “The purpose of the church is_________________________” we would have a thousand different answers (and many would be in direct opposition to the other answers).
I don’t think I could ever do the 3×5 card thing. Looking at the results would depress me—I’d feel like a failure and want to quit.
But imagine the power of a church that is all saying the same basic thing.
Imagine a church on mission…
A church that gets it, a church that knows we’re taking it to the hoop.
Imagine a church that believes we’re in it to win it.
Imagine a church that really embraces the mission of loving God, loving people, and loving life—in a way that brings people together and makes our city a better place.
Imagine a church on mission as a lifestyle.
I’m talking way of life—more than just Sundays.
And I don’t mean that we all have the same weird Christian lingo or wear the same Christian uniform. That would be great if we were trying to build a cult, but we’re not.
I mean that our way of life says “we are the church on mission.”
Specifically, we have a different culture than the broader culture.
We respond differently. We have a different attitude. We are tapped in to a source of joy that is without end. We’re the most hope-filled people in the world. Our kindness is completely counter-culture and is shocking to people. We’re Good News people in a bad news world. We love people period. We bless and we do not curse. We believe people really matter to God, and so they really matter to us too. We’re not on the defensive. We’re taking what we’ve been given (the incredible grace of our loving God) into our world.
When I was watching my nephew play basketball the other day, it caused me to think…
1. You don’t win by just playing defense—ya gotta take that ball to the hoop.
2. How amazing would my nephew’s team be if they had 5 guys out there actually playing the game together?
These two thoughts apply to us, the church, as well…
1. We were never meant to take on a defensive posture in the world. We are called to take what we’ve been given into the world.
2. And how stinkin amazing would the church be if we actually showed up and worked together to make a difference in our city?
I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe… Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. —Jesus (John 17.15, 18 & John 20.21)
