Holy Competition

Sports in Detroit is pretty awesome these days!

Last night my living room was full cheering students (xmin) as our Lions came from behind to beat Jay Cutler (big baby) and his Chicago Bears! We’re 5-0!!  Then, later today, Commerica Park will be sold out as the Detroit Tigers host the Texas Rangers for game 3 of the American League Championship Series – we need a BIG win tonight! And, to make things even sweeter, our Redwings are off to a 2-0 start! There’s such a buzz in downtown Detroit these days!!

Now, understand, I don’t live for sports.  I enjoy them.  And, I’m a big fan of WINNING!

We tend to shy away from the subject of competition & winning when it pertains to our thoughts about church & Christianity.  But should we?  When you see all the numbers mentioned in the book of Acts, doesn’t it kind of seem like Luke has been authorized by the Holy Spirit to “keep score”?  It’s human nature to ask questions like: how many are you running?  How big is the youth group?  How many showed up for your conference? etc…

You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed. So I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something — not just the air. I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified after I have preached to others.  1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Does that sound like we shouldn’t challenge each-other – including other churches, pastors, leaders – with the concept of competition… winning… goals? Or, how about this verse: I did this so that Satan would not win anything from us, because we know very well what Satan’s plans are. 2 Corinthians 2:11 … or, a repeated familiar text of Acts, numbers were added daily.  Sounds like a big W to me!

What if we came home at night and had ESPN analyzing, criticizing & commenting on our “ministry performance”? Or our character?  Or our numbers? Would we make their “ultimate highlight” feature or plays of the week?  Or would we be found in the “bloopers”?

Why are we afraid to challenge our friends? To ask tough, provoking questions? To make heart-felt critiques or rebukes? Is it because we don’t want them doing it to us?

Is it because we’re not trying to win but simply to survive? Do we convince ourselves that we’re ok by pointing out those that are really losing? Are we hiding in the dugout or at the end of the bench?

I WANT TO WIN.  I understand that i’m not competing against other churches: Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. Ephesians 6:12
– this does not excuse me, however, from striving to be better and better and better. To find those really winning and compete against my own mediocrity and the church’s complacency in order to be the BEST that i can possibly be.

Winning people and churches are always gossiped about:  “they count hands not heads” or “we’re not into numbers like them, we’re into discipleship” or “if we had their resources we would be winning too” or “they think they’re better than us”  …  sad, pathetic comments made by others not included in the post-season.

I’m going to reevaluate my motives, my heart and my ministry. I’m going to stay competitive and strive for more and more wins. To live Paul’s challenge: be strong in the Lord and in his great power.

Well, now I’ve got to study before tonight’s big game …  I pray that every sporting event, that i see or participate in, will remind me of God’s call  &  purpose for my life.

IN IT 2 WIN IT, chilly

… by the way, don’t worry about us getting prideful in detroit with all our winning teams –  thankfully, we still have the pistons (if the NBA ever plays again) to keep us humble.  

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chillychilton@churchleaders.com'
Chilly Chilton is a youth specialist, church planter, lead pastor, mentor and blogger. His dynamic personality and bold message has touched the lives of people around the world for over 25 years. In the fall of 2004, Chilly planted Real Church in cultural center of Detroit. He now pastors two campuses that are radically impacting the communities of “America’s Most Dangerous City”… His mission is simple: “To inspire today’s generation to grasp their destiny and live their lives with reckless abandonment to the purpose of God.“ Chilly has also founded Xmin Academy and his charity Hope Works, Inc. He and his beautiful wife Netta live right in midtown Detroit & have 5 amazing kids.