An email went out earlier this month to many pastors in the Tucson area
inviting them to play fantasy football. In recent years, "Fantasy Sports" has
pervaded our society. Fantasy sports is a game played over the Internet that
gives you a chance to manage your own team of professional sports players
from opening day right through the late season play-off races. Each participant
drafts his own team of players, and then receives points based on that player's
performance in real life games. The majority of men have heard of it, if
they haven't already been playing. But what kind of spiritual impact can
be achieved by playing fantasy football?
In the email mentioned above, Doug Johnson, Pastor of Technology and Care at Pathway of Hope Foursquare Church wrote, "Pastoring can often be a lonely, frustrating profession, and any chance we have to encourage each other and build each other up, I think we should take. I had a thought to start a Fantasy Football league for pastors and church leaders. This would be a non-competitive forum where we can relax and have some fun, as well as a place where we can encourage each other and pray for each other."
Mike Parejo, Student Ministries Pastor at Pantano Christian Church says, "I am a fantasy football freak, and this would be a cool way to connect with other pastors." Pastor Kyle Coffin of CrossRoads Church wrote, "I'm fairly new in town …
I think this is a great idea, especially in that it will help me get to know other pastors in the area."
Pastor Doug hopes that some of the churches involved can even collaborate on some outreach projects in the future. "Imagine what God could do through some kind of ministry or outreach event that spans Tucson - churches from the East side, Northwest, downtown, all working together towards reaching Tucson with the Gospel!"
The pastors are trying to work their schedules so that they can get together for a time of prayer and a live draft sometime in the next few weeks. The league starts with the first game of the NFL season on September 6th and will continue through December. Then maybe fantasy basketball? Fantasy golf? Only God knows.
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
