Church VS. Football

I am an avid Chicago Bears fan, as is apparent by my blog, but more importantly I am a born again Christian. Having the Salvation Christ Jesus has given me through His death on the cross motivates me to dedicate myself to building a strong and active relationship with Him. Much of this relationship building comes from consistently attending church every Sunday. This is where conflict arises for many Christians who are NFL fans, because most games are played during church time.

I personally have to make this decision nearly every Sunday. I always choose church over football, but that is my conviction.

I interviewed my church's Youth Pastor, Pastor Jake Rosekopf, to see what his thoughts were on the issue. I hope you find the interview as helpful and interesting as I have.

Go Bears!

1. How long have you been a pastor?
Almost 5 years.

2. How long have you been a Bears fan?
Almost 5 years (When we moved here I really started liking them a lot).

3. Do you think it is ever okay to miss church to watch a Bears game?
No, unless they are in the Super Bowl, but then I would have the youth group over and give a devotional at halftime. (That's what we have done in the past).

4. What are your convictions on missing church to watch the Super Bowl?
Haha...oh....I should have read the next question before I wrote that for #3. Same answer. I wouldn't miss church to just watch the game. There would have to be a purpose. The purpose being for the teens to bring unsaved friends to hear the gospel and to develop better relationships among the other teens.

5. How do you feel about churches scheduling services, or canceling services so the church members can watch the Super Bowl?
I'm fifty fifty on this one. I can understand both sides of the argument, but I would lean towards NOT missing church, unless there is a spiritual emphasis involved.

6. Do you think it would be acceptable for a Christian to buy Bears season tickets knowing they will miss numerous Sunday services?
I wouldn't buy Bears tickets if I knew I would be missing church a lot. It's a matter of priority. What's more important to you? God deserves our best. He deserves our time and our worship and our praise. God has called us to assemble together as believers. That was His plan for us...that's why we are called "the church."

7. Do you think there is a large temptation for Christians to place a higher priority on football than they place on God, making it an idol?
There is a HUGE temptation to place football above God. We make plans around watching "the game." Even as we sit in church we are sometimes thinking about what time the game will be on. Football in and of itself isn't wrong, but when we place it above our relationship with Christ, or anything for that matter, then yes, it is wrong.

8. What is the most important part about being a Christian?
The most important part about being a Christian is glorifying God with our lives through our testimony, our witness, our speech, our actions, and our priorities.

9. What is your prediction for the 2011 Bears season?
I think they will do well. Jay Cutler should be fired up about what happened in their last game last season. I think he has something to prove. If everyone can stay healthy I think they might just make it back to the Super Bowl. Then we'll have to have a Super Bowl party! (with a spiritual emphasis of course).