August 2009
Why is Woody Hayes on My Office Wall?
Recently I was having an honest and open discussion with one of the members about the climate at Trinity. (“Honest and open” is the only discussion about Trinity that is worth having). I asked the member for an unvarnished assessment of serving at Trinity Lutheran. She offered up this important observation: there were times when she felt pressured into serving at Trinity.
Her comment didn't shock me, I know that there have been times when I have "pressured" people to serve. But then again, they asked for it!
As you may know, fewer people are joining any entity which holds them to a higher standard, and requires regular meetings these days. Sometime ago, Elder Clif Pollock preached a sermon, where he shared some anecdotes from Robert Putnam's book "Bowling Alone." To a large extent, Americans have lost both their sense of community, and their willingness to take formal responsibility. Sertoma, Kiwanis club, Elks, volunteer firemen, and yes, even bowling leagues, are all struggling to bring in new members. The Church’s struggle to attract "members" is part of this cultural shift. A recent Barna report showed that within the last eight years membership in American churches has dropped about 14%! This is part of the "perfect storm" of our culture within and without the Church that has led to both an exodus from the Christian Church, and the repulsion of formal membership.
The people who are willing to join any organization, much less the Church, are beginning to stand out as courageous and unique people who are willing to serve formally, be held to significant commitments, and make sacrifices for the sake of the organization and the tenets of that organization.
The entire concept of a "congregation" (i.e. “flock”) comes from the analogy of a shepherd and a sheepfold. In John chapter 10 Jesus said, "I know My own, and My own know Me...." (John 10: 14b). It would be a very strange thing for a shepherd to shepherd sheep, which he did not know, or were not part of his flock. Sheep were either in his flock, or in someone else's. Unshepherded sheep -- not part of any flock -- were largely unknown in Jesus’ day; if they existed, they would be devoured or “adopted” quite quickly. For a Christian to be disconnected from congregational membership is an oxymoron. Yet, we find that a growing trend; in addition, on any given Sunday only about 1/3 of “members” are present when the flock gathers (this is true for all denominations).
In a recent discussion with departing member Barry Schoonmaker (a long time Cornell coach), I told Barry that I shared a great affinity with him and fellow coaches, because of their profession, (which is why it has been hard for me to say goodbye to these folks - not to mention the Schoonmakers were gifted and “connected” members). This explains in part why I have a painting of coach Woody Hayes in my office at church.
Some have claimed that the painting is there because I'm an alumnus of OhioState, and I'm shamelessly promoting the school on this holy soil…. Thiths thould thot thee tharther throm the thruth!!! (Sorry my tongue is stuck in my cheek). Well, maybe it is not that far from the truth -- but there indeed are truly spiritual reasons for Woody Hayes’ picture on my wall.
Like coaches, pastors are called to "equip the Church of God..." (see Ephesians chapter 4). It is true that kids who love football, would probably still play football without coaches. But it is also true that kids who play football, would be less likely to come in to lift weights at six in the morning, or do two-a-day practices, or watch hours of game film, or practice the same play 20 times until it's automatic, without a coach. Coaches who demand much, usually produce much.
If you are an active member of TrinityLutheranChurch, or any other Christian church for that matter, you are in an elite group! You are one of 22 million Americans, (that does not sound so elites unless you realize that there are 304 million Americans, and only about 7% are in church on a given Sunday). That is not too far off from the 21/2% of college players who end up playing in the NFL, they too are an elite group! Think of yourself in similar terms, you have chosen to make great sacrifices for the sake of not primarily what you necessarily love to do (or get paid for), but Who you love. By your own choice and commitment, you asked your coach (i.e. "pastor"), to equip you in a greater way than what you would on your own.
There are other reasons why Woody is on my office wall. Many people remember what it not for the great coach that he was, but for the tragic episode that was his ultimate undoing. In the 1978 Gator Bowl (when I was a freshman at OSU), Woody inexplicably punched a Clemson player who had intercepted a pass from the Ohio State quarterback. It was an epic and emotional collapse that will live in infamy. By every measure (except that one), Woody Hayes was an exceptional coach. I am reminded how easy it is to fall, and how quickly it can happen. Woody Hayes’ punch was not unlike David's adultery, or Peter's denial.
Related to that punch, and the following paragraph regarding coach’s performance, I do think that a pastor is more like a player-coach, then simply a coach. That's why my picture of Woody Hayes also includes Rex Kern, the quarterback that led Ohio State to Woody's last national championship. As a pastor, I don't believe that I can motivate God's people at Trinity to go beyond where I have gone spiritually, or to do what I'm unwilling to do or unable to do. Indeed, this often troubles me, as I think about my own spiritual failures and shortcomings. My playing performance is not what it should be, but like St. Paul, I "strive to forget what lies behind, and reach forward to what lies ahead."
With the possible exception of Joe Paterno -- an octogenarian who apparently runs a pretty quick 40 yard dash even in his 80s - great coaches are not necessarily great players, and great coaches are not cut out with a cookie-cutter. Chuck Knox, the four time Super Bowl winning coach from the Pittsburgh Steelers, was a dispassionate, aloof, and cerebral coach, who expected players to motivate themselves after he told them what to do. A decade later, another Super Bowl winning coach for the same team, coach Bill Cowher, (whose granite jutting jaw struck fear in the hearts of his players), inspired his team by cheering for them, jawing them out when they messed up, and sharing a deep comradery with them. As a pastor (and "player-coach”), I sometimes try different tactics with members who don't seem to be equipped for the ministry that I believe they are called to do. If I have tried to equip you in the past, and you don't seem to be motivated to change, I'll push from a different direction, or maybe push a little harder, or more likely, I'll share the story of Jesus’ crucifixion with you.
Because you are a member of this church, it is my expectation that you want to be coached, equipped, or inspired to be more than what you are now.
If you have not been inspired to grow, I invite you to pray for my coaching, or my pastoring. I also encourage you to think about your own practice schedule, and to consider how well you know the playbook.
The Christian faith is a rather strange enterprise. We know the final score before we step on the field. Through Christ's death and resurrection, we have already won the ultimate victory over sin, death and the devil. The challenge now is to enter the struggle, with our whole heart, and all of our strength. Why do this when we have already won? Because the “Coach” (capital C.) calls us to "follow Him."
Pastor Foote