1 QUOTE

“If the general manager does not have a clear team building philosophy, it will be very difficult to sustain leadership and standards over a long period of time.”

- Mike Lombardi, former General Manager of the Oakland Raiders

1 NOTE

Being a pastor is hard work. Living in the inner-city can be discouraging. Planting a new church is a really hard ministry ministry, Pastoring an inner-city church plant is a steep trifecta of suffering. It can be easy to lose heart. I’ll never forget when I was exhorted to have a hobby because ministry is hard. 

During one of my mentoring sessions with Bobby Clinton, he showed me his war game board. Jesus used the US Marines teach him discipline, hard work and strategic warfare (Ephesians 6:10-20) concepts. On his office desk I saw a board game recreating a historic military battle. Bobby said that three times a year he would go to war game conferences at a hotel. Fellow gamers would fill a grand ballroom and compete in a tournament that lasted four days. Bobby said his ‘war games’ hobby was a healthy outlet, especially when ministry and teaching was stressful. Dr. Clinton then exhorted me, “John, make sure you that have a good hobby!” 

If I was not a pastor, my dream job would be to build a sports team. I went to UCLA to study English to become a lawyer and then become a sports agent. A few years ago I shared an elevator with Bob Myers (former GM of the Golden State Warriors). A few weeks ago I stood next to Mike Dunleavy in an airport line (current GM of the Golden State Warriors). It made me wonder what my life might have been like if Jesus did not give me the new birth. (For the record, I love my call, especially the billions upon billions of years long-term benefits package.)

My hobby is dynasty fantasy football. Our league is named ‘Romo Wasn’t Built in a Day.’ My fake football team is Long Term Parking (after one of the most celebrated television episodes of all time). Our league has 12 teams. Our owners have been together for 7 years. Every player has an auction draft value. Contracts are up to five years. The trade deadline, NFL week 13, is always thrilling. We have two drafts: ‘Rookie Draft’ ten-days after the NFL draft and ‘Free Agent Draft’ every August. Drafts are where dynasties are built. I have put in the work. I have formed my free agent plan.

Our veteran draft is tonight at 7 pm. Let’s go!

1 QUESTION

Family, life and ministry and can be so stressful. We all need friends and healthy outlets. Do you have a hobby?

Until Next Tuesday,

John