The college bowl season is over. The Michigan Wolverines are the national champions. My son and I are the only two people in our home who follow football – be it college or the NFL. However, my wife and daughter are looking forward to the Super Bowl only because it signifies, to them, the end of another football season.
Surprisingly, my wife did have a few questions about the hot topic of this year’s college bowl season – player opt-out. For those of you, like my wife, who may not know what an opt-out is, let me attempt to explain. A college football player can opt out of playing in his team’s bowl game at the end of the season for usually one of two reasons: 1) the NFL draft, or 2) the “transfer portal.” If a player is expected to be drafted by the NFL and does not want to risk poor play in the game or a potential injury that could damage his draft stock, then he can opt out of playing with his current team in a college bowl game. If a player is planning to transfer to another school to play next season, then he too can opt out of bowl-game play.
Although there were a lot of discussions surrounding players who opted out of bowl play this year, opt-outs are nothing new to the bowl season. However, this year it felt like that number increased tenfold. Due to the players who opted out, many teams underperformed in bowl games compared to regular season play, which led to a lot of very one-sided bowl games. These players’ abilities could have made a difference for their teams, especially for the teams who let their opt-outs dress out on the sidelines with no intention of ever playing.
Sadly, opt-outs are not just found in college football. They are also found in the church. And just like bowl-game opt-outs, church opt-outs aren’t new and are seemingly increasing too.
Many churches are not at the strength they once were. There are many faithful churchgoers who are carrying a heavier load because of opt-outs. Their time is spread thin because they are serving in multiple areas. Other churchgoers, who are not yet fully equipped to lead in ministry, are forced to step up because the opt-outs left a huge void.
Then there are those church opt-outs who are now MIA. They’re nowhere to be found. A few have “transferred” to another church, but many are just at home watching a church’s livestream. And don’t forget those who are dressed up and on the sidelines. They put on their Sunday best and take a seat in the pews, but they are unwilling to engage. They all have something to contribute to their local church, but they don’t. They opt out … of service, worship, fellowship, and ministry as a whole.
We all know some of those opt-outs.
If you know opt-outs who are now attending other churches and are growing spiritually and serving faithfully, then give God thanks! If you know those who have opted to stay on the couch on Sunday mornings, then pay them a visit, give them a call, send them a text, or write them a letter. Let them know they are missed and are of value to you and your church.
And if you just happen to be one of those who has opted out of church lately, let me encourage you to get back in the game. Just like a team needs its players, you need the local church, and the local church needs you.
