Ministry Lessons from Lebron James and Colin Cowherd

On the way to Chattanooga I heard Colin Cowherd making a very impassioned plea for his listeners to respect the basketball prowess of Lebron James.  Now, this post is not about basketball, Colin Cowherd, or Lebron James.  What it is about is the importance of leadership. 

To what did this sportscaster turn to as evidence of the greatness of Lebron James.  He looked to the cast of supporting characters Lebron played with in Cleveland a few years ago.  He noted how they were not “big names” or “superstars.”  Yet, they made a hard run at a championship.  On the other hand, he looked to a current superstar who had a wonderful team around him, but they continually underachieved.  What’s the difference?  Cowherd said the issue was leadership.  In essence, he made the argument that what makes Lebron great while this other superstar languished was that Lebron was able to make others around him play better.

The discussion then turned to the top three basketball players of all time.  Cowherd ranked them, 1.  Michael Jordan (of course), 2. Magic Johnson, 3. Kobe Bryant.  He then continued that Kobe could play circles around Magic, so what was the difference?  He said Magic ranked higher because he was the greatest player ever at making others around him better.

This discussion got me thinking about church and spiritual leadership.  How would someone look at me in terms of how I spiritually influence those around me?  Do I make them “look better?”  Do I make them “live better?”  What about you?  Do your coworkers grow spiritually because of your presence in their life, or do you become an obstacle that stands between them and growth?

Let us strive to be people who equip, empower, and encourage others to live life better, to walk closer with the Lord, and to love others more.

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please Himself…

-Romans 15:1-3a-