Everything I know about pastoring I learned from coaching fourth-grade basketball Well, not really. But here is one thing I’ve learned.

The beginning of each half is typically chaotic. The kids have a hard time figuring out which way they are going. Occasionally the kids will play defense on the offensive side and play offense on the defensive side! It hasn’t happened as much this year, but last year we had to yell at the kids, “You’re on offense. You’ve on offense.” Because they would be playing defense when they were supposed to be playing offense.

Sometimes I wonder if Jesus is yelling at the church, “You’re on offense. You’re on Offense.”

Jesus commissioned the church in Matthew 16:18: “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail.”

Gates are defensive measures. Storming those gates requires an offensive stategy. The church is a battering ram. We’re called to play offense.

Anybody else tired of playing defense?

Why is it that the church is known more for what we’re against than what we’re for?

I’m just not into boycotting. We’ve got to present better alternatives. Michelangelo said, “Criticize by creating.” Let stop cursing the darkness and start lighting candles!

Ponder this: Jesus didn’t defend himself in front of Pilate. He refused to become defensive. He refused to play defense.

One of the lessons I’ve learned in recent years is that I’m not going to be defensive about my leadership style or teaching style. I am who I am. Take it or leave it Too many of us live our lives trying to please everybody. I think we’ve got to know who we are and who we’re not. We’ve got to be ourselves. The greatest freedom is having nothing to prove! Don’t spend your energy trying to prove yourself to Pilate. You’ll spend all your time and energy playing defense. Focus on what God has called you to do. And let the urim and thummin fall where they may.

I read Organic Church the other night and one thought resonated. Neil Cole says, “We are so defensive that it has become offensive.”

The Best Defense is a Great Offense!

Storm the Gates!