How Can I Transition from Spectator to Player?

Christianity is not a spectator sport. The Reformation renewed some very important truths of the faith that had been lost over time, one of which is the priesthood of the believer. This doctrine means that in the New Covenant there is no clergy-laity distinction.

All followers of Christ are called, equipped, and expected to partner with the Holy Spirit in the adventure of using their spiritual gifts, time, energy, finances – everything – to fish for people and encourage them to become followers of Christ and fishers of men in their own right.

Every football and basketball season an interesting phenomenon takes place. People personally identify with their favorite teams. When their team is doing well, they feel good about themselves and become enthusiastic, vocal, and visible fans. What is so intriguing is that many of us think that we somehow acquire greater worth and prestige, if our team excels and does better than the other teams. It is almost as if we were the ones who are competing. All big sporting events are filled with such fans who get satisfaction out of watching others play the game. So are churches.

We all know that playing and spectating are vastly different. When we spectate, we can imagine ourselves making better decisions and better plays than the players on the court or the field, but the reality is that we are not playing.

Jesus has invited his followers actually to participate in the greatest “game” of all time, which is being a great co-Missionary, his Spirit-filled and empowered representative.

Unfortunately most of us who call ourselves Christians are merely spectating fans. We may agree with the concept of being involved in the Great Commission, but we have into the trap of being passive -sitting on the sidelines, hoping that someone else will lead our family member, neighbor, or friend to Christ and teach them how to follow him fully. Many Christians think that evangelism is inviting someone to church, where they will hear the preacher talk about Christ. We do not see ourselves as the one who can best do that.

However, the truth of the matter is that we cannot transfer our responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission to someone else. God does not give us the option of merely being fans or spectators. God asks us to be players – disciples and disciple makers.

Not everyone is equally gifted at sharing the Gospel and discipling others, but we are all asked to participate. Some may win thousands to Christ, while others may help only a few become followers of the Master over a lifetime.

Sadly, a great number of those who call themselves Christians have never led even one person to faith in Christ. In some cases they have given up trying. This ought not be. Could this be because we do not even talk about Jesus in a serious way with anyone outside of church meetings?

Practical Tips

If you realize that you have been spectating instead of playing, what can you do? Here is a list of suggestions.

Ask God to forgive you for succumbing to laziness, fear, and the spirit of the age that tells us to keep our faith to ourselves.
Ask the Holy Spirit to stir in you the fire of enthusiasm for Jesus and the Gospel.
Ask him to give you a love for those who live around you who do not yet know Christ.
Familiarize yourself with the Gospel. (I recommend The King Jesus Gospel by McKnight. You can read my summary by clicking here or you may wish to read my articles on the subject.)
Pray for opportunities to speak meaningfully to people.
Make it a priority to get to know the people in your neighborhood, at work, at the gym, at school, and wherever you have the opportunity to connect. As you spend time in conversation, you will begin to see how Jesus and the Gospel can help them. Your care for them may give you a platform from which to speak about Jesus to them.
Visit people and have them over to your home. The more time you spend with people, the greater the opportunity you provide for the Holy Spirit to work in the relationship.
Offer to pray for people on the spot when a genuine need for God’s help surfaces.
Join a group (or start one) whose focus is fulfilling the Great Commission. In many cases this will be what some call a “missional” church, as opposed to an event-oriented spectator church. We need to be encouraged in the work of the Great Commission because, although it is rewarding, it can be difficult and discouraging at times.
Never, never, never, never give up. Your heavenly reward will be great!