Come tournament time, I can be found in front of the TV for every ACC game. I sit dressed in my team colors, in my logo-decorated rocking chair, with my 64 ounce cup of water and some healthy snacks. I don't leave the games unless nature calls, and I try to time that for timeouts and halftime. I am an avid (some would say rabid!) ACC basketball fan.
There are many reasons for this. Probably the most influential was my father. My dad and I were so much alike, we clashed over almost everything. But when it came to our team's basketball season, we were united in cheering them on. He taught me the ins and outs of the game. He used his clout with Dean Smith to bring one of my favorite players to my school to speak at the Fellowship of Christian Atheletes meeting. He came to our house for dinner, and it was like having your teen idol come to dinner! I was awed! My dad supported my "habit" and joined in with the screaming at the refs and yelling at the coach. My dad was impressed when I became a statistician for the local Jaycees team. My dad and I came together in ways we couldn't in any other area of life (except our faith in Christ).
In his book, Raving Fans, leadership coach Kenneth Blanchard maintains that the employees of your company need to be its greatest fans. I think this applies to our faith as well. What if we were as rabid about our support for our church as we are for the Panthers, the Tar Heels, the Knights or the Checkers? Do we make sure we hear every sermon and record the ones we miss? Do we eat, sleep and drink the Great Commision to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? Are we loyal to our "team" - Sunday school, small group, Bible study, etc.?
Do we carry our faith's brand with us? Can people tell we are Jesus fans? It was said of my maternal grandfather that "If the church doors were open, Charlie Borts was there." In fact, he probably opened the doors and stayed behind to lock up! Can that be said of any of us? They used to name classrooms and small groups after people who were so faithful they stood out among the faithful. As a child, at my house, you didn't miss church unless you were in the bed sick with a fever or worse!
Are we as parents upholding that kind of faith at home? Do we put a premium on time spent in prayer or Bible reading? Do we hold our children accountable for church attendance and youth group? Do we make it clear that homework needs to be done before Sunday so it's no excuse to stay home?
In this time of decline in the mainline churches, we all need to be RAVING FANS of our Lord and Savior. We need to pass that passion on to our children. I hear parents say things like, "I want to let them chose for themselves if they want to go to church or not." My response is, "Do you let them decide for themselvesif they want to use drugs or not?" There are certain values and non-negotiables that we hold dear, and it's our responsibility to pass those on to our children. Too many people today leave character education to churches, Sunday school teachers and pastors instead of starting and enforcing it at home. If Jesus matters to you, He matters to your children, whether they know it yet or not; whether they accept it for themselves or not.
What team means the most to you? Stand up, cheer and be proud of the Savior that gave his life for you. Go team!!!
