October 29, 2006
The following sermon was given at St. Paul's Cathedral (London)
as part of the Bishop's Awards for Excellence in Ministry celebration.
My two daughters (Bronte and Kennedy) are soccer players ... and that means, that over the years, I have had the opportunity to watch a variety of leadership styles, and coaching personalities.
Everything from the "sit back and do nothing" coach ... to the "yell and scream until you are red in the face" coach.
This past summer ... my eldest daughter was fortunate enough to be placed on a team with Kitchener's best coach ever. He has never had a losing season ... and in fact every year his teams wins the division.
And so I watched him very closely ... Coach George
Now Coach George only has three rules:
1. HAVE FUN (that's why you're here).
His pre-game pep-talk always ended with those words:
NOW GO OUT THERE AND HAVE SOME FUN !!!
Because to a one - every girl on that team had come to have fun - It was a no-brainer ... No one wanted to spend 2-3 nights a week doing something that wasn't enjoyable. Soccer is fun ... And Coach George would do all that he could to make sure his team had fun.
- He would SMILE at the team (something few other coaches did)
- He would do the warm-up exercises with them and laugh at their jokes (and at his own shortcomings)
- and (during the game) if a shot ever went high over the net he would throw his hands up in the air (football style) laugh, and ask the ref if we got three points for a field goal ... where other coaches (if it had been their team) would moan or shout at their team to do better.
2. Coach George's second rule was simply:
Remember the Basics
He wasn't one for trick plays and hot shots (although he
always appreciated them when they happened).
- control the ball ...
- pass to the open player ...
- shoot at the open part of the net (not at the goalie).
That was his mantra through the game ... he stood on the
sidelines - urging his team to remember the basics. And the
basics always got them through.
3. The third rule Coach George had was this:
Remember you are a team ... win or lose.
While other teams in our league were quick to point to the
superstars and the goats on their squad ... Coach George's
teams never did.
They cheered each other on ... congratulated one another
on good plays ... and consoled them on the not so good
plays.
AND THE TEAM WAS SUCCESSFUL !!!
+ + + + + + + +
Tonight we have gathered in this place .... to honour some very special people. People who (in their own way and in their own lives) have lived Coach George's three rules.
1. They have remembered WHY they are here. Baptized
members of the Body of Christ ... who have responded to
our Lord's call.
2. They have remembered the basics. They have loved
and served and put others before themselves. (just as the
Saints did - who we also honour in this season).
In a world with many conflicting messages ... and the call to
put yourself first before everyone else ... the men and
women we honour tonight have stayed true to the message
of the gospel.
3 . They have remembered that WE are a team.
Every year, when the bishop announces who will be
receiving these awards, while you and I celebrate and
congratulate those in our parish who are to be recognized
... those who are to receive the award feel a certain embarrassment.
And I have spoken with some of this years recipients ...
and they are no different.
As honoured and flattered as they feel - to a one - each has said that they
didn't think they had done anything "special" ...
that they were just doing their part for the church.
And each of them felt there were many others (in their own parish) who were more deserving of this honour.
Having read through some of the nominations ... (which the bishops will read later) ... it is quite obvious that our church is in good shape !!!
Tonight we celebrate the ministries of the church, from all corners of this Diocese of Huron. And the ministries are as varied and unique as the faces before us ...
We have Wardens,
and Treasurers and Sunday School teachers
We have people who can make things
(from jams and pies
to chasubles and additions to building)
We have some who have exercised their ministry in the same parish for many years (and others who are relative newcomers)
We have some who have served at the diocesan level
(and some who have been just as happy NOT to)
And we have many people who have taken their ministry beyond the church, and are active in their community (caring and serving and witnessing through many different commitments)
But (in my opinion at least) we're not here just because of that rather impressive list.
We're not here just because Betty-Jean spends hour after hour making clothes for orphans in the Ukraine or because Brad and Michelle host Christian Ed meetings in their kitchen.
We're not here just because Ed makes the best raisin bread west of Toronto, or because Doug serves the finest soup in Stratford.
We did not gather in this beautiful cathedral tonight because Freda is a member of the "Giggle Gallery" (although I must admit ... that one certainly grabbed my attention).
We are here tonight - because by doing that - By doing all that you do (in your parish and in your community) ... you have inspired and encouraged and supported others in what they do. And that is far more important to our team : The Church.
Like soccer .... Ministry is a team effort. No one does any of this by themselves. Our gathering here tonight celebrates that ... it shows us that the success of our ministry as a diocese comes from the contributions we ALL make.
And so tonight .... In response to the nomination by your parish ... our bishop (COACH BRUCE) has chosen to recognize each of you , as a valued member of the team.
Not the only member ...
but one whose ministry is vital to the ministry we all share..
And for that we give thanks ... to you ... and to God .
