Playing sports was a big part of my adolescence and early adult years. It was a means of building friendships, gaining self discipline and learning teamwork. Over the years, I had many different coaches, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Here is the story of a lesson I learned from one of my coaches and how it applies to life and ministry.
Coach Lynne Sweet was my High School baseball coach and English teacher in the small town of Macon, IL., population 1,177. Coach Sweet was something of a hippie (ask your parents) and among the most unique and unconventional teachers and coaches I’ve known. He was also incredibly successful in his short coaching career. Little Macon High School was second in the IHSA baseball playoffs in 1971, before separate classifications for schools, beating schools that were massively larger. In the mid to late 1970’s, our school won more than 50 consecutive conference baseball games. Many of my fellow athletes played college sports, and graduate Brian Snitker managed the 2021 World Champion Atlanta Braves.
The secret to the success of Coach Sweet was built on two things. He taught the fundamentals of the sport well and he made baseball fun. Learning the fundamentals is important in every sport and Coach Sweet taught the fundamentals well. He encouraged former players to come to our practices when they were in town and Brian Snitker (playing minor league baseball then) and others passed on what they had learned. Assistant coach Saunches played Minor League baseball just a few years earlier and knew the game well. The importance of playing the game the right way was an important part of the success. But it wasn’t the only part.
One thing that made Sweet different- and successful- was that he made baseball fun. We had fun in practices and games and learned that this sport was best played when it was most enjoyed. Coach Sweet knew that tension was detrimental to baseball performance. He knew that a relaxed, loose approach tended to be the most effective approach. We all wanted to win, but we found that enjoying baseball helped us towards that end. Baseball, we learned, was a game and games are to be enjoyed!
The Christian life is meant to be enjoyed. Did you know that? Joy is a big part of the God’s plan for believers. Paul certainly had plenty of difficulties and problems. But he also exuded joy in the middle of those difficulties. Do you remember Acts 16 where Paul and Silas are imprisoned for their faith, but singing in their prison cell? Joy in salvation is normal. Joy in ministry is to be the natural condition. But many live as though the Christian life is to be tolerated rather than enjoyed. Don’t let that be you.
I remind my fellow pastors and missionaries, teachers and deacons, to have fun in ministry. Even though you will face challenges and difficulties in our fallen world, remember the joy of the Lord. Never lose sight of the privilege of pointing others to Jesus and helping others grow in faith. Don’t forget the joy that is ours in Christ. We are forgiven, set free and given purpose. These are great things and should lead us to rejoice in God’s work. And, you will find that living a life of joy in Christ is not just fun, but more effective. The joyful Christian life is also a contagious life.
Once in a while, I see athletes who looks like they have forgotten how much fun sports can be. Maybe their coaches or parents never taught them to enjoy the game; making it tense instead of enjoyable. Too bad.
Once in a while, I see ministry leaders who looks like they have forgotten how awesome it is to serve King Jesus. Maybe they never had someone remind them of how amazing grace is or how much joy comes in living for others instead of yourself. Maybe they have been beaten down by circumstances and others and live in tension instead of joy. Too bad.
So let Coach Munton coach you up just a bit today. Enjoy Christ. Laugh a little. Count your blessings. Remember to rejoice. Serve the Lord with gladness. And, in honor of my old hippie baseball coach, I say to you– have some fun!
Doug Munton 