Young people, but especially the male counter-part, are more than likely inclined by their humanism and interests to be reading an article out of the S.I. (Sports Illustrated) than out of the Beacon Lights. Therefore, I conceived the notion to compose a few lines (or paragraphs) setting forth some sobering and realistic thoughts and concepts regarding sports competition, self-discipline, (or lack of it) and acknowledging authority in a school sports program as we in the Grand Rapids area experience it.

As a matter of information for those who are puzzled or worried by the title of my article, I submit the following: Shortly before our own Covenant High School opened its doors in 1968, plans and decisions were in the making to include a physical educational program as per State requirements; although an interscholastic sports program was not in their require­ments, this came about by a School Board decision.

Response to that decision had its pros and cons among parents and the school society membership. Fears were expres­sed that such a program constituted an association and fraternization with the world of unbelievers. Others simply don’t like sports, and seeing their child is not athletically inclined so, likewise they objected.

On the other side of the coin were those who felt that the contact with the world is a reality one faces daily, yet the contact of sports is of such a nature that the school’s Christian principles and standards would not be compromised or violated in this competition. Thus far no cheer-leader has run off with a Philistine.

Once teams were organized in bas­ketball, baseball, track, golf, and volley­ball, a nickname was chosen to represent the team in sports competition. By majority vote of the student body and with the Board’s approval, the nickname “Chargers” came into existence, and by the way, made itself known and estab­lished in the March madness of 1973.

Now the emblem of a “Charger” to my imagination is a Knight in full armor on a charging steed with a standard (or is it a lance) guarding defensively and offensively, I would like to think, the reputation of the school. But we know the reality of the matter is that only through good and proper conduct and attitude of the coaches, players, students, and fans, can the word “Christian” in front of the word “School” be upheld and maintained.

I know and you know that competition has become a basic ingredient of our culture, and the athletic scene reflects this culture. Winning has literally become the only goal. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is the name of the game.

At one time or another, we have all had rehearsed in our ears why sports competition is good for us. It can develop confidence, courage, discipline, team play, personal skills and ability, fairness, and above all a more desirable character and personality. It certainly should, and I don’t suggest it can’t, but more often that is replaced in the heat of “combat” by anxiety, tension, and even hostility toward the opponent, and much too often vented to the official (the authority at that time).

Someone made the statement that competition in the sports arena brings out the best in a product, but the worst in a human being. Don’t say that doesn’t happen to us. I’ve witnessed it in others and also am guilty myself. That is one main reason and concern I have that a sports program be kept at a very low key and emphasis. It should be labeled that it can be dangerous to our spiritual health if it gets the upper hand and emphasis.

“Why?” Because some people get their priorities and values all mixed up. They don’t go to this Church function, school activity, they would like this date changed, this class moved to a different night, all because we could have a practice or a game on that date. One case in point is that recently certain churches in our area of a different denomination had Prayer Day services changed from Wed­nesday evening to Thursday evening all because it interfered with a big tourna­ment basketball game. See what I mean concerning priorities and values?

In passing, I might remark that professional sports on T.V. hold more influence upon us than we would care to admit. People readily admit I only got T.V. for sports, news, and weather reports.

Maybe at this juncture we also should ask ourselves whether the competitive urge is something that should be or should not be a part of a Christian’s life, or whether competition is a part of reality that a Christian needs to learn to deal with in a Christian way.

We certainly are in need of a Christian perspective in the world of competition, whether this be in sports, business, or other functions. The Christian ….a person who has thrown off the old man and put on the new, must be distinctively unique and different in his life style and approach towards competi­tion and all of life’s functions and activities. Are we not called to fulfill the Christian mandate–Love thy neighbor as thyself–also in competition? He is not to be treated as an obstacle standing in one’s pathway on the road to victory. Yet how often haven’t we wrongly desired he would fall under pressure and not be at his best.

I don’t like to sound preachy or hang crepe, but these are realities to be considered by all of us-or our actions and attitudes will nullify our Christian stan­dards and principles. If we are serious about confessing that all of life is religion, that is, service to either God or to an idol, then we cannot exclude-but only reform that important ingredient of our life-com­petition. A relationship and contact does exist between competitive sports and authority. The man in blue or with the striped shirt has been authorized and delegated to enforce that the game is played according to the rules and regula­tions drawn up for a given contest. Coaches, players and fans must recognize that and submit to that formula and jurisdiction, or chaos will be the outcome.

There seems to be a shift in the concept of authority in our society. It also seems as if the adult empire with all its presumed authority is tottering. Because an adult who has been placed in authority can carry that position with an attitude of conceit and arrogance, it nevertheless behooves those being governed to be submissive and show due respect, as difficult as that may be on the playing field as well as off. Some would advocate that respect has to be earned, not only conferred because of age, title, position, or rule. To a certain degree that may be true in the sense that authority is an awesome responsibility, and misuse of it bears its consequences and sometimes its bitter fruit.

Some writers question the word “spheres” in connection with authority. I believe there is that element and aspect. The school is not the home, nor the Church the school. Even though there is a strong relationship one towards each other, nevertheless there are lines of distinction. The teacher may stand in the place of the parent while a child is in the classroom, but he or she never replaces the parent.

At the present, I can think of one instance where lines can be and are crossed. Example-If a baptized member of the Church is delinquent in doctrine and walk, the Church through its God ordained officers, has the duty and authority to discipline and even erase such a member, even though he or she may be under the roof of the parents, and the parents may raise strong objections to such a decision. Especially in the home, discipline has to be tempered with a certain amount of tolerance and under­standing.

The authoritarian omnipotent type of government in the home is not my style of bringing up a family. In the home, Church and school, to be taught, instructed, and lead is the proper course…not to be driven, which leads to animosity and hostility in relationship one towards another.

Let me close by saying that in my humble opinion the biggest threat and danger to our continued existence as schools and churches is really not from without, but from within.

There is and always will be divided opinion regarding sports, gyms, T.V. and etc., but let’s not devour each other on account of it.

Francis A. Schaeffer in his “The Church Before the Watching World” while commenting on the Presbyterian controversy forty years ago, makes this sad observation: “We did not speak with love about those with whom we differed and we have been paying a high price for it ever since…we did not talk of the need to show love as we stood against liberalism, and…that lack has cost us dearly.” He adds: “I beg of those of other backgrounds to learn from our mistakes.”