2nd Opinion: Rangers teach lessons to church

The Texas Rangers won the American League pennant and played in the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The temptation is too strong to pass on the opportunity to share some things the Rangers could teach the church.

My disclaimer is this: I am not naive to think the Rangers are perfect. I read their lips on television and know their remarks to umpires were not G-rated. I saw their imperfections during strikeouts, errors and losses. But they revealed some behaviors this season that would benefit most churches:

• The team built good relationships with each other and the community. This was obvious in the way they encouraged each other, cheered each other, and laughed and smiled with one another. They responded to fans at the game and made a difference through their charitable work in the community.

This is the model God intended for the church. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15: “And we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are lazy, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.”

• It took the entire team to win a championship. While the Rangers may have had the American League Most Valuable Player, every player made valuable contributions. Several key players experienced injuries, yet their backups stepped in and got key hits and made outstanding plays.

Too often in church, we count on the pastor to be a one-man show. A church is a team that requires every member serving the Lord with the spiritual gifts and talents the Lord has entrusted to them. Each member is part of the body for the purpose of serving and honoring God.

• The Rangers never lost focus on their goal. Their one goal always was to win the championship. Owners, management, coaches and players stayed focused on that vision. By winning their division, the division championship and the American League pennant, the Rangers put themselves three-fourths of the way to their goal of winning the World Series.

While a baseball team focuses on winning games, a church must focus on people. The church’s goal is to be the Body of Christ and go into all the world and making disciples. When distractions arise, the church must train itself to refocus its attention and efforts upon Christ’s purpose.

• They forgave each other rather than placing blame. One thing is certain—the Rangers made a lot of mistakes during the season. Batters struck out on bad swings, pitchers gave up home runs on bad pitches, fielders made errors and base runners were thrown out. Even the manager began the season with a confession about the use of cocaine. But the team forgave one another, encouraged each other and refused to place blame.

The members of any church make mistakes and commit sins, just like those outside the church do. But in Galatians 6:1, we are given instructions about how to deal with fellow church members who sin: “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted.” Forgiveness is to be at the heart of what the church does.

• They were a team on and off the field. Almost everyone noticed the Rangers celebrated their pennant win in Arlington by spraying each other wth ginger ale rather than the traditional champagne. One of their players is a recovering alcoholic, and another just doesn’t drink alcohol. The team chose ginger ale so all the members could participate in the celebration.

Today, we need to be reminded Jesus never turned anyone away. Some people may have chosen not to follow him, but he gave them the opportunity. Today’s church must be about providing the gospel and acceptance to all the people of this world. It is not about economics or politics, but it is about the love of God being extended to all.

I know baseball is only a game. I got too excited and stayed up too late watching games. When the season was over, we were left with memories, statistics and souvenirs. The church relates to eternal consequences, not temporary results of games. So, the church always must be learning and improving. This season, the Rangers taught us the importance of good relationships, contributions from everyone, focus, forgiveness and the real meaning of being a team. Now, it is time for the church to apply what it learned.

—Gary Loudermilk is director of missions for Denton Baptist Association.