Golf Ministry – What Is That?
Golf ministry – sounds like something that Dr. Bob Rotella does. You know, your head is so screwed up with left wrist straight, supinate, one plane swing that I need to minister to you to help you.
That isn’t what I was talking about in my last post. I’m talking, actually, about how to use the game of golf to help people know Jesus. Or if they know him already, to know him better. To, in the words of my home church at True North, become a passionate follower of Christ.
Doesn’t seem like they go together well, does it? I mean, God and Jesus’ names are invoked on the golf course very frequently, but I’ve never gotten the impression that those who use Jesus Christ’s name after banging one off of a pine tree are really interested in getting to have a personal relationship with him. And look at the courses you drive past on Sunday mornings. They aren’t singing hymns on the fairways, brother! They are out for the golf only.
But golf has a lot to offer in the way of showing people a Christian perspective. First, the way a Christian golfer carries himself. Have you ever played golf with a guy who had a bucolic demeanor and attitude playing golf? Someone who didn’t not care, but cared in a friendly, even-tempered fashion, even as his Titleist bounced off the cart path into the river.
Someone who was a pleasure to play with and be with on a sunny, or rainy, day on the course, no matter his score – or yours, for that matter. Did it make you want to ask, “What is different about you? Why don’t you toss clubs, or grumble under your breath?” Not swearing is the easy thing to not do, but how about the general attitude? Suppose that same, admirable guy started telling you about his life and what was important to him? Would you listen?
Or would you prefer life lessons from the 6-pack drinking, cussing, club helicoptering bozo you are often forced to play with?
Modeling Christian behavior in church isn’t the challenge. Doing it in the midst of a challenging, stressful situation is much more valuable to the observer. Golf is that, in spades.
Maybe next most important after behavior modeling is that 18 holes of golf is 4 to 5 hours of time together for a small group of men (I focus on men because I am one and I empathize with their plight. Also, studies show if the dad starts coming to church, the family comes with more than 90% of the time, so more bang for the evangelistic buck as the salesman might say). What other situation does that occur in for guys? Work? Not really, unless you count the usual sales meetings, board meetings, or other snoozefests. Not much in depth life conversation there.
But walking the fairways brings guys together. They talk in ways they don’t in other situations. I still remember golfing with my dad and his buddies and hearing their conversations. Man, Dad was a different guy out on the links! And I loved it! It was a glimpse of the non-Dad Dad. I’m sure my sons think the same when they see me with other men at the course or other places.
Golf Ministry – two words that really do go together!
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