In three days, millions of people will be gathered around televisions all over the world to watch the Super Bowl. This year’s big game has several compelling questions surrounding it. Can the Patriots become the first team ever to finish a season 19-0? Will Eli Manning orchestrate one of the great upsets in the history of professional sports? Is Tom Brady’s ankle really hurt, and if so what impact will it have on the game? Who will win the advertising trophy with the best commercial?
For churches that have services on Sunday nights, there are different questions that surround the Super Bowl. Should we cancel our services? Should we have church like normal and hope that someone shows up? Or should we turn our service into some weird hybrid where we gather in the church and watch the game together and maybe add some praise songs or a testimony during halftime? As the pastor of a small church plant that only meets on Sunday nights, these questions were particularly difficult for me this year.
In the past, I have been a part of churches that have adopted all of the strategies mentioned above. I have helped organize big church-wide super bowl parties, and I have preached to an almost empty room while the game was in progress. I have to admit, I really didn’t enjoy either one; and I am not sure that either one did much to advance the kingdom of God. When you try to morph a worship service into a super bowl party, it is too easy for it to feel like you are gathering to worship the game. When you try to have a normal worship service and ignore the game, it makes the church feel oddly detached from the world and irrelevant.
So what did we decide to do this year? We are canceling our normal service, and I am inviting everyone to my house for a party. We are going to watch the game, eat, and enjoy each other’s company. We are a small enough church that it is still possible for us to get together in one home to watch the game. In the future, when we are larger, I still think that we will meet in homes to watch the game together and invite some friends to hang out. I am not sure if this is the best answer. There are some who would probably think that I am simply giving into the world system. Others would probably think that we are not doing enough to make the Super Bowl an evangelistic opportunity.
I would love to hear what you would do if you were in my position. Would you go with a worship service, a party, or a combination of the two? As for my analysis of the game, I think it is going to be a good one. The Giants are on a role and have a great deal of confidence, but ultimately I don’t think that they will have enough to overcome the Patriots. My prediction is a 31-28 Patriots victory. If you are in Collierville, TN on Sunday feel free to stop by. We would love to see you.
On the Lord's Day? What would Eric Lidle do?
If I'm in Collierville on Sunday, will stop by.
Posted by: Richard | February 01, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Hey, good question. This is late, but there's always next year. What about holding the service before the game and invite everyone to stay afterward for the fellowship? The sermon could even be on "Why do we find the Superbowl irresistable?"
Posted by: Jeff | February 05, 2008 at 04:05 PM