Which brings me to my question. What is the point of church? Is it to worship on Sundays? If so, then we have surely succeeded. But I don’t think that’s why we are here and I don’t think that’s the point of the church. Now, a statement will surely be made that churches (and more specifically Sundays) designed to worship God and edify the believer. And I would agree with that statement. However, I ask these questions in response: What better way is there to worship God than to serve? Isn’t that what Jesus stated was our greatest command (love one another)? How can we truly edify believers when we don’t send them out to follow the basic commands of God?

The church spends more time training people than doctors spend in medical school! I’ve been through EE, Paul/Timothy, Sunday School, AWANA, RA’s, VBS and retreat upon retreat all with the expressed goal of preparing me to one day share Christ. Yet, as outgoing as I am, I’ve never walked up to a total stranger and shared my faith. No, the people I have shared Christ with are people that I have invested in. Not just for the purpose of giving the ABC’s of salvation so my job is done but to walk with them and help them discover a life worth living. This requires incredible commitment and purpose on my part. It requires courage. But most importantly, it requires me to exit my comfort zones, leave my fellow believers and walk across the room. To sit next to another parent at my children’s swimming lessons and actually learn about them. Not with an ulterior motive of sharing the gospel, but to laugh with them, cry with them and share with them how my life has been changed by the Creator of the Universe. That in a world that lacks absolutes, there is One.

This is where Little League comes back into play. If I can help people to see that baseball is a phenomenal way to build relationships that ultimately Make God Look Good, then I have succeeded far more than me playing games with kids on Sunday morning ever will. If a child can observe their parent making a true effort to reach out to people, then they learn more than my little memory verse game can get across about what it means to follow John 15:12 (which has been our memory verse for several weeks). So, while Sunday (and/or Wednesday) is an important day in regards to setting aside time to specifically say “Thank You” to God and to cheer on my fellow Journeyfolk as they become People of Impact, it should never become my crutch, my equipping time for an encounter that may never come to pass or my excuse for not serving the people God so desperately wants to save.

So did God honor his stand for the Sabbath? Some food for thought.

The author makes some good points. I would encourage you to check it out.

Evan

Thanks for taking time to write. I sure hear what you are saying and see a lot of wisdom in it. Next year all three kids of yours will be out of the children’s ministry and in the youth group, so do what you want with them! Just kidding! ha ha.

I am not taking lightly the difficulty of striking that balance and teaching your kids to honor God first in their heart. Sometimes I feel unqualified to even talk about this stuff because my daughter is 2 (going on 10).

My passion is that children will love God with their whole heart and that the person and work of God will always reign #1 in their hearts. I fear that running kids to this game and that activity while putting God’s work on the bottom shelf might hinder that. That’s my 2 cents worth.

Ryan

I don’t quite line up with your theology about Sundays, but sure agree about making Jesus look good wherever you go. That’s a dynamite point. Thanks for the post brother. Keep serving the Lord and loving those kids.

Ryan

Then I began to view life as a series of divine appointments. Now regardless of what drives a person’s decision, I want the group in Bible Study to be exactly the people that God has chosen for that study. As we prepare for the Bible Study, I begin to pray that God would work in the hearts of those He has chosen for the study, and that they would set aside their own agendas in favor of His.

Now, while I think we should have 100 women in Bible Study every time, I am content even if we have 2 - because I believe that no matter how many we have, God has prepared the way for exactly those whom He has ordained to be there.

I do agree with you that worship must take precedence over sports, but I also sympathize with those who face the practical struggle of finding the balance in their own home. In my own home, finding that very balance may take a unique twist within the coming year - perhaps not one that you would agree with, but one that I am at peace with.

In the end though, what I want to challenge and encourage you with - is to begin praying that God would prepare the hearts of those He would have to participate in your ministry events. When families state that they are choosing sports over the church - just tell them how you are praying, and ask them if they have prayed for God’s direction in this decision. Trust them as the people to whom God has entrusted those children - and then whether your VBS has 7 kids or 70, give it everything knowing that God has sent exactly those that need to be there.

Now as for the suggestion that you coach . . . I would recommend being an assistant to your dad

God doesn’t care what day of the week it is when we are on a mindset of serving Him. Everyday is sacred and holy and a GREAT chance to worship by serving. How am I less of a believer or worshiper of God if I am working a concession stand on Sunday to better serve other parents and kids.

BTW, I’m not a parent of a Little Leaguer, but I hope someday to be. I am a Children’s Pastor who LOVES it when parents tell me they won’t be around on Sunday because of another commitment they have with their kids. Instead, I celebrate with them and encourage them to Make God Look Good as they serve. They learn more through serving than I could ever hope to teach them on Sunday Morning. It’s all about the mindset.

i coached as a heathen and not long after i was saved and coaching t-ball i had gotten into some strife with some folks inluding my dad…I went home that night and told the Lord i was quitting ooacing and was convinced that t-ball was from the devil!!! The Lord lovingly spoke to me that t-ball was not from the devil but my attitude was…

I do agree about the priorities but i think it only reveals people’s hearts and hunger levels which would be there regardless of little league…i refused to practice or play on wednesdays or sundays it made some parents mad but it simply wasn’t an option for me…

i admire you for trying ryan and i had many kids that did not have the ability to play ball in school but developed enough to at least enjoy playing some backyard ball or playing at a picnic or reunion…some of the best relationhips i formed were with these guys.