(1 Tim. 3:1 TLB)
In our illustration of how a football team mirrors our lives, the quarterback is the head communicator on the playing field. He must effectively call the plays given to him by the coaches. He must run the offense. He depends fully on the coaches to spot the weaknesses in the other team's defense in order to win the game. No team can win without a good quarterback, so it is essential that he be healthy and strong in order to win.
This quarterback represents the pastor or leader of a ministry. He must call the play for the team. He must depend on the Holy Spirit to give orders, then he must follow those instructions. Running the right plays and gaining yards will come by being obedient to the Holy Spirit.
As any coach runs his team a little different from any other, so will the Holy Spirit run each local church or ministry in a different way. What works for one will not always work for another.
The Holy Spirit wants the ministry leader to hear the plays from Him. After the leader has received the play, he must effectively communicate it to the team in order for the play to work. Many plays have failed and penalties have resulted because the players did not know the play or on what count the ball was to be snapped.
Ministry leaders must also hand the ball off to the other "backs," so that their abilities and talents can be used in gaining yards for the team. Any quarterback understands the gifts and talents that are there to assist the team, and he utilizes them to their full potential.
In our analogy, the "football" is the vision, and it must be handed to the other staff ministers so that they can "gain yardage." If a leader hangs on to the vision because of insecurity, he will hinder the team. No quarterback can win the game by himself.
In fact, if a head coach sees a quarterback refusing to hand off or throw the football to another player, he will discipline him and take him out of the game if the quarterback does not make the adjustments. The most valuable person on the team is the quarterback, who controls the offense. But the quarterback knows his success depends fully upon those around him.
Points to remember:
- No quarterback can win the game by himself. The other players must do their jobs in order to gain yards. Quarterbacks have been frustrated, bruised, hurt, and even knocked out of the game due to a lineman who let his defensive man through the line. Each player must do his job in order for the team to win.
- The quarterback cannot do the job of a tackle just as a tackle cannot do the job of a quarterback. Each is gifted in his place. All must carry the same vision, and that is to score and to win the game.
- Every quarterback must take time for a huddle. In the huddle, he communicates the plays so that each person knows his assignment for that down.
- Regarding the office of the "bishop" (or the leader of a ministry) Paul said, "He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)" (1 Tim. 3:4,5 NIV).
Father, I pray for my leader that he will hear the calls You would have him make. Give him insight into all of the players on our team, and help him recognize each of their strengths. Help him to be secure in the "quarterback" position and never to feel threatened by any of the other members of our team. Show us ways to communicate our love and faith in him, and may he sense our support. Amen.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Terry has served as senior associate minister of a thriving congregation for over 23 years with over 40 years of experience in local church ministry. He is currently the senior pastor of Impact Church in Sherwood, Arkansas. Terry has authored four books. On the bestselling list, these books have motivated thousands of Christians to stand with their leaders in faithful service, helping them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.
