Over the last 16 years in Christian education, I find a number of perceptions that I would love to address in this program.
#1 People at a Christian school think they’re the only Christians around. One of the great blessings of Nashville is that we have a tremendous number of believers in the area. I have found committed Christians in many of the public and private schools in the area. There are Christian families throughout this beautiful county. We continue to need Christian influence throughout Middle Tennessee, this great nation, and throughout the world. #2 People at a Christian school think they are better than anyone who is not. I have never encountered that attitude in any Christian school I have served in. The message of Christ begins with recognition of personal sin and shortcoming. We never want to be a community of condemners, but a family of grace, mercy and love. #3 A sport with brutality is not consistent with Christian teaching. I do admit that football is tough and appears brutal at times. It is, however, a competition with clear boundaries and produces tremendous virtues such as perseverance, team unity, and valuable work ethic education. It teaches young men how to face fear and find encouragement. It teaches them how to win with class and show graciousness in defeat. It is a great life teacher! #4 When coaches and players behave badly, they dishonor the name of Christ and the reputation of the school. This is actually a truth! I have said and done things as a player and coach that were not Christlike. As a Christian, I am not to be satisfied with this and seek forgiveness from God and others I have wronged. The good name of Christ can never be spoiled. Our shortcomings make His life more glorious! Our school has a fine reputation whose history cannot be wiped away when we unavoidably commit error. #5 A Christian school believes God is on their side. “The eyes of God search to and fro seeking to uplift those whose hearts are truly His.” God deals with individuals and He interprets favor through the light of eternity. He allows the rain to fall on the just
and the unjust. I do not believe God favors our school over another school. He even allows defeat and injury as blessings. #6 God could care less about a football game. I disagree. “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst”. God is intimately associated with every detail of our lives. The good times we enjoy at a game are from His hands! He
ordains the blessings of family and country! Because His plan for His children is eternal, He does not need to ordinarily impose upon the natural course of life. I believe it is the players out making plays, not invisible angels! And it is all to the glory of His name! #7 It is inappropriate to push your beliefs on those in attendance who are not Christians. This is an important topic in our culture today. I hope that nothing we do in football is offensive; we are not intending to be. We do not seek to impose on anyone.
I do not require each of my players to be a Christian, but to stay silent about our faith actually implies an endorsement of non-faith. I am not ashamed of the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! It is my hope and my life! #8 Winning should not be important at a Christian school. I could not disagree more. We seek to be excellent, which implies a dedication to win. It is not win at all costs. We honor the Lord by adhering to rules and keeping the right priorities. But believe me, we are going to compete for the prize. #9 A football game is a celebration of the base nature of man. We teach our players that participating in a football game is actually a form of worship. When a player gives all he has for his brothers and wants to give God all the credit and plays so hard he is emotionally and physically exhausted, he is actually worshipping his Father in heaven. #10 Christians don’t have fun. Just watch us; we are having a blast!
