Baseball and the Baptist

When the choir enters the service, it’s time to play ball. Too late now to run to the concession stand. Your only hope is that “the game” doesn’t go into extra innings.

Batter Up

The minister of music moves into the box (pulpit) and waves his arms around (he’s loosening up). He plans to send one deep into the balcony on How Great Thou Art.

Home Plate

It seems the service will never end so we can get home and see what mom put on the plate.

Bull Pen

The men huddled up outside getting their last puff and talking a lot of bull before going into the service to sweat it out.

Rain Out

What appears to happen any time one cloud the size of a man’s hand appears on the horizon. Statistics prove that for every one drop of rain, ten Baptists stay home. Baptists don’t believe in sprinkling.

Bleacher Bums

Folks who want to get as far away from the action as possible. They sit at the back in church, but want front row seats for anything else.

Bases Loaded

Today’s full slate of activities for you and your family. Plus, tonight we have a high powered evangelist coming to speak.

Dugout

You’re in the middle of a conversation and you’re being critical of another church member. Suddenly you realize they are related. You’re wondering if you’ll ever be “dug out.”

Full Count

The last verse of the invitation. Do you stay put and hope you get to take a walk home or do you go for it?

Hit the Showers

What the preacher, minister of music and choir must do after sitting under the TV lights.

The Wave

Wouldn’t be appropriate, so we clap or say “Amen!”

Third Base Coach

Always giving the staff advice. Says he checked with the manager, but the only problem is that the owner calls the shots.

7th Inning Stretch

The offering. We want it to be easy to give, so we let you stand and reach for your wallet.

Ushers

They show you to your seat and hand out programs. If you have season tickets, you don’t need one unless a visitor is so rude as to sit in your seat.

Concession Stand

What mom puts in her purse to keep the kids quiet during church.

Home Plate Umpire

The church moderator who helps control the crowd. He should eject more from the game.

© Michael Catt, 2006.

Michael Catt

Dr. Michael Catt has served as senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, since 1989, and is the executive producer of the popular films Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof and Courageous, which originated from the congregation. He has also served as Executive Producer for the Erwin Brothers’ film Woodlawn. He is also the founder of the ReFRESH® revival conferences (ReFRESHconference.org).

Michael is the author of several books, including The Power of Desperation, The Power of Persistence, The Power of Surrender, The Power of Purpose, Prepare for Rain, Upgrade, Courageous Living, Courageous Teens, Fireproof Your Life, Fireproof Your Life for Teens, and the Refinance Bible Study for LifeWay, as well as co-authored the Love Dare Curriculum.

Michael served as the President of the Large Church Roundtable, the Southern Baptist Convention as an IMB Trustee, President of the Georgia Baptist Convention’s Preaching Conference, Vice President of the Georgia Baptist Convention, and President of the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference. He has spoken at conferences, colleges, seminaries, rallies, camps, NBA and college chapel services, well as The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove. Michael is the recipient of The Martin Luther King Award, The MLK Unity Award, and a Georgia Senate Resolution in recognition of his work in the community and in racial reconciliation.

Michael and his wife, Terri, have two grown daughters, Erin and Hayley.