Enough is Enough
Franchise Player is a term used in sports, especially the NFL, to describe an athlete who is more than a player the team needs, he’s the athlete the team cannot survive without. He’s more than just “the best player.” He’s the guy the entire franchise depends on.
When I think of how sick this can all get I always think of a quarterback named Brett Favre. I always liked Brett Favre, but it got to the level that I found myself saying, “enough is enough.” One of our missionaries grew up rooting for Brett’s team. He’s such a fan that he even named his son, Brett! But even he was fed up with all the drama surrounding their franchise player.
Not in the Church??!!
I’m fed up with another category of “franchise player.” I’m a fan of the church of the Lord Jesus. So much so, I’ve dedicated my life to serving in His church. And I have to say that the Christian community’s franchise-player-mentality is wearing me out.
I actually heard a church staff speaking of their pastor as their franchise player, the one they couldn’t do without! Are you kidding me?!
Gag, gag, gag, gag, gag.
The first time a church started talking about their franchise players, the Apostle Paul straightened them out right away. “Stop saying, ‘our franchise player is Paul” or, ‘our franchise player is Apollos,’ or ‘no way, our franchise player is Cephas.’ There’s only one franchise player on this team, and His name is Jesus! Knock it off; this is sinful nonsense.” (1 Corinthians 1:10-17)
His point is clear. There are no prima donnas in the church, no stars in Christianity, no franchise players on God’s team. We’re all role players—water-boys and ball-girls—who need to know our place and embrace it with joy.
Nothing messes up the cause of Christ quicker than some self-proclaimed franchise player, some “I’m the Brett Favre of this place” Christian whom everyone admires too much, including himself or herself.
Our Only Franchise Player!
The best way I know to convince myself that there are no franchise players in the church is to spend time with our Franchise Player, the One we truly cannot live without. And, as Paul said to the Corinthians…
His name is Jesus.
“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord! ” (1 Corinthians 1:31)
You know Pastor Ed, I truly believe you helped bring COD to where they are today. You humility as a leader is beyond encouraging, I wish every pastor were like you. But because of your leadership and influence, I have no doubt that COD would be okay without you. That does not mean you can leave =P Lord willing you won’t for a long, long time.
thanks, Lacy. Blessings