Go Flamingos!!

The Famingos are our new youth soccer team here at Messiah. They play in a "for fun" league at a huge sports complex about 20 miles from church. So far their record isn't very good, but they have fun playing, and Lisa and I certainly have fun watching them. It reminds me of my days back at Gloria Dei, New Hyde Park, NY. We didn't play soccer but we did play basketball--even had team uniforms. (The Flamingos have pink t-shirts and socks--it's only a matter of time before we can order the fan version I hope!)

Sports are a big part of these kids lives. One dad mentioned that he practically lived there at the sports complex with three kids all active in various sports. I wonder what's the difference between their regular teams and coaches, and their experience on the Flamingos. (There is a difference--otherwise why have a church team?)

I think, from my observations that the differences lie in motivation and attitude. Surely the regular teams teach skills and self-confidence and good sportsmanship. And their coaches are decent, caring people interested in developing kids' character, self-esteem, and physical well-being. Otherwise, there'd be no teams because who would want the opposite.

But our team also teaches that the weak are just as valued as the strong. That playing well is more important than winning. That being together and running up and down a plastic-grassed field is fun when you're with your friends from church. That your church friends are okay. And that losing can be done gracefully, and winning graciously.

And our coach and her assistants show that they really care enough about these kids to give up Saturday mornings to be with them and coordinate their efforts, while modeling all the while the attitude of love for the neighbor--even when they wear a different colored uniform.

It shows out there on the field. They don't play any less aggressively. But they do play "Godly." Meaning they look out for one another, cheer one another, help one another, and remember what they represent as Flamingos. And they don't just do it for teammates. One of our youth kicked a ball this morning that a girl from the opposing team had the bad luck to block with her face. The young man's concern for her was immediate and genuine--and lasted beyond the moment to after the game.

Would he have felt the same on a regular team? Likely. But as a Flamingo, he had concern for her a a Christian. As Flamingos, these kids work together, have fun, and commiserate together as fellow church members. And as a Flamingo, the coach imitates Christ--who I'd like to think played games with the kids in Nazareth before going on to coach us all.

GO FLAMINGOS!

Pastor