The Good Coach?
Theme of the Week: Encouragers
Thursday, February 1, 2007
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me John 10:11, 27). Bonus Reading: Acts 18:24-28
It has always been hard for me to relate to the biblical metaphor of the leader as a shepherd. I'd like to think that if Jesus had begun his public ministry in our time, he might have said, "I am the good coach. … My players listen to my voice."
Last summer, I stopped by a baseball field to visit a friend who coaches a Little League team.
One coach was humiliating his eight-year-olds. "Hey, what are you," he groused, "a bunch of pansies? Get off your lazy butts, and let's see some hustle out there."
My friend, in contrast, cheered his kids at every opportunity. "Good job, Kevin," "Way to keep your eyes on the ball. You almost clobbered it." When talking to his players, he would get on his knees: "Missie, there's no reason to cry. He tagged you out, but you ran as hard as you could. I'm proud of you."
The scoreboard said his team had lost, but the celebration my friend put on after the game proved otherwise. While the kids drank sodas and relived their highlights, I walked away with a lot of questions about my own "coaching" style.
—Ed Rowell in Leadership
My Response: What about my "coaching" style could use some tweaking?
Thought to Apply: There is a point with me … when I must absolutely have encouragement as crops rain.—GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS (English poet)
Adapted from Leadership (Spring/95) by permission.
Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Lord, help me to be a true encourager to someone around me who needs a lift.
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