This November millions of fans from around the world will descent on Qatar to watch the world’s most famous event in the world’s most popular sport: the World Cup.
In addition to the millions who will travel to watch the games in person, an estimated 5 billion more are expected to watch from home this year. If this holds true, this would make it the most watched sporting event in the world - more than both the Olympics and the Tour de France.
For decades the United States has strived to achieve relevancy in the sport. While U.S. women’s soccer has enjoyed some success in recent years, the U.S. men’s soccer team has often struggled. In fact, the U.S. men’s national team failed to even qualify for 11 of the 21 World Cups between 1950 and 1990. They also failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2018.
So how is it possible that one of the wealthiest and most competitive nations in the world, a nation that prides itself on international sporting success and one that has invested billions in trying to bring its soccer proficiency up to par over the past few decades, has struggled so mightily in the world’s most popular sport? And what, if anything, does this have to do with the church?
I really appreciate the following thoughts from Steven Barr:
“I recently read an article that explained why the U.S lags behind other countries in the most popular sport around the globe. It said that while our children are chasing soccer balls around cones a couple of times a week, learning techniques in $100-$200 shoes, the rest of the world's children are playing in streets and alleys, dirt fields, often barefoot, knocking each other down, getting bruised and bloodied, jumping back up and running even harder for hours a day, every-single-day.
In essence, while American kids "practice" soccer, kids in other countries "play" soccer.
Over the course of time, this difference is revealed in events like The World Cup. Those who eat, live, breathe, and bleed soccer-- the ones who are "all in" - are the ones who ultimately win.
So what does this have to do with The U.S. Church?
Many in our churches are like our kids on a soccer field. We focus on theology, debating doctrinal differences, spending money on multiple translations of The Bible, and building a library of the most popular Christian books. We become masters of "technique." However, churches in other parts of the world (where faith is squelched or prohibited), eat, live, breathe, and bleed Jesus.
They are "all in."
Not surprisingly, these are the same areas of the world where The Gospel is thriving and multiplying exponentially. Followers of Jesus in these locations are not just "studying" what The Bible teaches, they are putting it into action without compromise.
We should not be amazed at the results. The Bible tells us this happens when we trust and obey.
To be honest, I'm not sad whenever the U.S. is not being represented in The World Cup. The "business" of American kids soccer will continue to flourish with the latest shoes and flashiest jerseys. Soccer fields all over the country will continue to be filled on Saturday and Sunday mornings with orange cones and colorful feet.
I am sad, however, that so many churches in the US are not multiplying disciples exponentially and expanding their Kingdom Influence when they could be.
It's not about how much we know, how smooth our technique is, how slick our branding is, or how impressive our worship services are. It's about you and me (and the rest of The Church) living passionately for the sake of The Gospel and bringing others along with us (making disciples) as we go.
It’s time to stop practicing and start playing; being willing to get bruised and bloodied at times.
The World Cup has proven that countries consumed with soccer go the furthest. To them it's not a game; it's who they are.
Churches around the world have proven those who are consumed with Jesus have the greatest Kingdom Influence. To them, it's not a game; it's who they are.”
Aaron Loy serves as cofounding and lead pastor of Commonwealth located in Knoxville, TN. Steven Barr serves as the founder and lead pastor of Cast Member Church located at Disney locations around the world. Both serve together on the Creo Collective Movement Team.