When Nathan and Hannah were in Elementary, Middle and High School, they played church league basketball.  They didn’t do it because they could squeeze in just one practice a week. They weren’t trying to improve their game to make the school team. And they certainly didn’t have visions of grandeur about one day going pro. It was just fun.

But something happened along the way.

Kids who didn’t have top athletic performance could always play church league.

Kids who didn’t have the time to do all the practices and travel like for club sports could still enjoy church league.

Kids who just wanted to hang out with their friends and not take the sport too seriously could always do church league.

But something even better happened.

Kids would invite their unchurched friends to be on their church league team. Soft evangelism happened.

Kids would drag their parents out on Saturdays for games, and they sat in the bleachers with others from church cheering on the team. Friendships emerged.

Kids would be hungry after the games so families would go out for lunch afterwards. Fellowship occurred.

I was so happy to see that after Covid stopped us from playing basketball together, it has now been resurrected through the efforts of a couple of gung-ho dads and moms. Today, we have about 60 kids playing on 6 teams.  And this Saturday, the 8 year old boys and the 8 year old girls are playing in the championship games at St. Stephen on Sardis at 9:30 and 12:30. (Come and cheer on our teams!)

These kids may never get college basketball scholarships, but ministry will happen as they develop Christian sportsmanship with other teams and a deep friendship with one another. And along the way, families will connect with one another not only on the court but also at church. 

This Sunday in church we are going to highlight our Sports Ministry, thanking the coaches and players alike for going beyond simply teaching a sport. This is about faith, community and fellowship. We need more of that.

I miss watching Hannah and Nathan play, but I am ready to cheer on Natalie in a few short years!

Go Team Christ Lutheran!

Pastor Scott