The Locker Room

by Brent Voight on February 26, 2022

In the fall of 2021, my senior high school son played football for the first time since fourth grade. He had a great season both on the field and off. Judging from the number of stories and the joy with which he shared them, I would guess his favorite part of playing football was the locker room. The stories he told of his teammates’ antics and his description of the talks they had there filled our late fall evenings.

His stories made me think, “What’s the purpose of the locker room?” The locker room is where:

the players get ready for the game
finalize any last-minute game plan changes or emphasis
get taped up to thwart off injuries
encourage one another and keep each other loose
team cheer before they head out to the field, court or ice

Not a single game is won or lost in a locker room, but a good locker room culture can bring out the best in the players and cultivate team camaraderie that impacts the play on the field.

Early on in our family’s time at Rockpoint Church, we learned that so many people who call Rockpoint their home are leaders of ministries outside of Rockpoint. It encouraged me that so many strong and faithful leaders come to Rockpoint to be led and fed, so they can in turn lead and feed the flock that God has put under the care of their ministry (1 Peter 5:2). Being around so many leaders inspired me as I received my own call to join a ministry as a local missionary.

Regardless of the content of our vocation or career, Jesus sends us today as he sent out his disciples: As you go, proclaim the Gospel—salvation through Christ alone. We are a team of competitors for Christ. If our field or court is out there, then Rockpoint Church is our locker room.

Our church is where we get ready for the game, review the game plan, prepare for when there may be bumps in the game, encourage each other, and put our collective voices together to rally the team.

Get ready for the game…

Everything we do as a church should equip or prepare us for living out our faith outside the church building. We are led by “coaches” who are living out the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

Go over the game plan…

The scriptures clearly outline God’s game plan for His Church. We meticulously go through the scriptures here at Rockpoint, so that each team member understands God’s playbook. The Lord uses our coaches—pastors and leaders—to reveal more of himself to each team member.

Prepare for when there may be bumps in the game…

Anyone who’s played team sports knows that the team matters most when it hits a skid or starts to slump. When the team knows it’s not at its best, it’s comforting to remember it’s not an individual effort. We can rely on our teammates. In our locker room, the church, we forge those ties. We find willing prayer partners and even fellow players who will get out onto the field with us when we know we’re not functioning at 100% of our capability.

“God has so composed the body…that there be no division in the body, but that members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-26

Encourage each other

All athletes benefit from the encouragement of others. So do all of us who live our lives on mission—regardless of where our mission field is. Through our church, we’re all members of the same team and are called to lift one another up. I see this happening so often at Rockpoint—in the hallways, at events, in small groups.

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another…” Hebrews 10:24-25

Final rally cheer

When the disciples followed Jesus, when the shape of their life took on the urgency and attention to the things Jesus taught them, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” Acts 2:47. This phenomenon occurred in many other instances through the book of Acts.

Brothers and sisters of Rockpoint Church—my fellow teammates we are ready!—we have our game plan, we’re prepared for the ups and downs of this life and calling, we’re encouraged. The Great Commission starts with Jesus’ command to “Go!”

Alright team, our rally cry is clear, all together now on 3…

1…2…3…Let’s go!

About the Author

Brent Voight

BACKGROUND:

I am not a believer in coincidence or fate, so when a number of “God-incidences” led me to FCA in 2017, I answered “Here I am, Lord!” I believe with all my heart God used the first 17 years of my career in donor development to prepare me for this ministry, at this time, in this place. It’s always been on my heart to serve youth and as an avid sports fan, coach and official, those interests and abilities come together in a wonderful way with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. FCA’s mission is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches & athletes.

The youth sports culture is broken in many ways, with coaches and athletes focused on wins, trophies and accolades--all of which do not last. But coaches are among the most powerful leaders in the world, and athletes are among the most influential. What if we could change the culture from creating selfish athletes and coaches and train coaches to use their influence to raise up heroes and world-changers? FCA is doing just that!

Heather & I have lived in the east metro for 21 years, and came to Rockpoint in 2015.

MINISTRY GOALS:

Raise up a team of staff and key volunteer leaders to be discipling future disciplemakers in coaches and athletes at all levels and organizations. The next three years our goal is to hire six additional field staff, recruit a dozen volunteer Character Coaches, be intentionally discipling 36 future disciplemaking coaches, and hosting 24 athlete and/or coach huddles throughout the east metro.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

Rockpoint families and Life Groups can pray for the coaches and student leaders who are committed to FCA’s vision on their campus and with their teams. Pray for them to be strong, hold to their convictions, and be willing to face the challenge that living for Christ can be in the school and sport culture.

Please be praying for the coaches and athletes who aren’t yet connected, but could or will be in the coming year. Pray for warm, moldable hearts, and open doors to teach, to coach and play for significance, not self.

Lastly, pray for our schools. The challenges of education--both public & private--continue to grow each year. Too many of us parents are outsourcing not just the education of our children in the primary school subjects, but also virtue, morality and values. While there are many excellent, godly teachers and administrators, the system fights against them. This is the most common prayer request I get from the coaches and administrators I work with.