Warning: The article below is a bit of sarcastic humor. I am speaking in hyperbole to make a point. The football fan noted represents a very rabid football fan. The church member represents some, but certainly not all, church members.
Disclosure: I tend to be a rabid college football fan. I see my allegiance as an area of devotion that needs significant adjustments downwardly. So I don’t necessarily practice what I preach. For example, even as I type these words, I am reminded that the kickoff for my team’s first game of the season is exactly five weeks from today.
Caution: While I do write these comparisons with some humor and a lot of hyperbole, you might get just a bit uncomfortable reading them. That may indicate there is some truth in each of them.
- A college football fan loves to win. The typical church member never wins someone to Christ.
- A college football fan gets excited if a game goes into overtime. A church member gets mad if the pastor preaches one minute past the allocated time.
- A college football fan is loyal to his or her team no matter what. A church member stops attending if things are not going well.
- A college football fan is easily recognized by his or her sportswear, bumper stickers, and team flags. Many church members cannot even be recognized as Christians by people with whom they associate.
- A college football fan pays huge dollars for tickets, travel, and refreshments for games. A church member may or may not give to his or her church.
- A college football fan reads about his or her football team every day. A church member rarely reads the Bible once in the course of a week.
- A college football fan attends the game no matter how bad the weather is. A church member stays home if there is a 20 percent chance of rain.
- A college football fan invites others to watch the game every week. A church member rarely invites someone to church.
- A college football fan is known for his or her passion for the football team. A church member is rarely known for his or her passion for the gospel.
- A college football fan will adjust gladly to changes in kickoff time. A church member gets mad if his or her service time is changed by just a few minutes.
- A college football fan is loyal even if he or she never gets to meet the coach. A church member gets mad if the pastor does not visit for every possible occasion.
Yes, I admit I do enjoy college football. But I really love Christ’s churches even more. I need to demonstrate that reality more readily. Do you?
So . . . what would you add to my somewhat sarcastic list? Do you see the humor? Do you see some truth?
Posted on July 26, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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103 Comments
A college football fan will let no excuse get in the way of attending the game. A church member will let any excuse get in the way of attending church
A college football fan will readjust his budget to buy season tickets. A church member has little if any left in his budget for God’s work.
Don’t get me started!
Dr. Rainer! Thank you for this post. I was thinking about what would be a good sermon series for August. Your blog would be a GREAT idea for a sermon series for the month. Of course, I would base it on Scripture (because Scripture addresses the attitudes you mentioned in some way). I would also give you the credit. I’m a relatively young (32 years old) and new pastor (first pastorate and in my second month at the church). We will be using Explore the Bible for our Sunday School, so my preaching will align with the lessons starting in September. I just didn’t know what I would do for August. Thanks for the insight.
A college football fan does not need to be encouraged to be excited or enthusiastic about their team. A church member desires for someone or something to “pump them up” on during the worship service.
Jesus “pumps us up” all the days of our lives. Football doesn’t do that. We go to worship God. Worship is about reverence and loving God., not pumping ourselves up. It’s not about us; it’s about Him. Football is about secular things
Agree!
A college football fan gives, supports and encourages the highest pay for the coach and his assistants if the season goes well; the average church member complains if the pastor or staff member gets a cost of living raise.
But some preachers take no pay as a mission. When is the last time a coach worked for no pay?
I’m a pastor in Tuscaloosa so I have no idea what you’re talking about. RTR Thom!
I’ve heard of that place.
Ben
We know the story about the wife of the new coach at Auburn/Bama (pick one) that comments that football seems more like a religion there. Of course, she is told with a straight face “oh no, it’s much more serious than religion”.
By the way, I agree “Roll Toomers Roll”! 😉
Ben, which church are you pastor at so I make sure I don’t attend there?
A football fan loves a crowded stadium. A church member doesn’t like a crowded pew.
I’m so relieved you didn’t say “NFL football fan.” Whew… I was on the verge of conviction!
Funny.
A college football fan might argue with you if you insult their team. Christians rarely stand up for Jesus Christ when He is disgraced.
There’s a good one.
But you won’t see a football fan fly to Africa or south America on a mission trip to teach those about football either. …
Amen!
Or showing up at the food distribution, mission, pregnancy center, eyeglass give-away, shoe ministry & foot washing…after working a 50 hour week, and taking care of your kids, and the ones you have adopted and foster, and serving at VBS four weeknights – all with joy and a heart full of love.
.
Yes… Rabid football fans do little for society. But sometimes they do us a favor and get drunk and kill someone while driving home. Oh, wait, that isn’t a favor… Yeah, obsessive football fans are basically good for nothing drunken idiots.
Here you go, 🙂
Be blessed
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Anna, not at all judgmental are you? Your statement would be the equivalent of saying that since some Christians have extra-martial affairs all Christians are adulterers. Yes, some football fans can be obsessive but many do it without being drunken idiots. Feel sad for you that you harbor such disdain for other humans that obviously need God’s love.
A football fan arrives early to tailgate and get to their seats…. A church member gets there on a “wing and a prayer” for a seat in the back.
Like it!
They are usually arriving early to get drunk. Christians arrive early to see brothers and sisters in Christ
Not all football fans drink. Not all go to the game early to get drunk even if they do drink. It is entirely possible to have a great time tailgating without alcohol. And some of us football fans even attend church regularly.
well said
How about… A college football fan credits the great team they have when they are winning and playing well, but when they struggle it is the coach that needs to be replaced!
Yep.
A college football fan screams uncontrollably when their team scores a touchdown. Many church members stand or sit with arms folded during the worship of the God of all the universe.
That’s good!
Sitting quietly is reverence.
Worship isn’t a time of reverence. It’s a time of overwhelming and uncontrollable joy for your Creator and the grace he shows to us. Save the reverence for prayer and sermon.
Chris,
There are many forms and styles of worship. Being reverent is no less worshipful than showing much joy. Also, prayer is part of worship, is it not??? Simply talking with our Almighty God is the greatest form of worship. And being reverent is acknowledging who
God is, no matter if you jumping up and down or quietly listening to the Holy Spirit.
Your words are so very true and very convicting. Just imagine if we applied the same passion to furthering the kingdom of God.
For me as well, David. Thanks.
Bowing your head in reverence with arms crossed or clasped hands in the presence of the almighty is something you would not see at a football game. All men will bow before God. Bowing and reverence at a football game wouldn’t happen and many are drunk.
Reverence is still present at Ole Miss when Dixie was played before the national anthem.
Football fans get excited a traffic jam & about 80,000 people packed into a stadium but church members get annoyed if they can’t find a parking space at the door & someone is sitting too close to them at church.
Good one.