Last night Relate Church hosted our second annual MMA Amateur Championship. Of course, I fielded a lot of questions like, “How a church could be involved with something so violent?” This gave me a prime opportunity to teach some simple Truths.
1. There’s a difference between violence and aggressive behavior. I believe that aggressive behavior in and of itself does not need to be bad… as long as it is controlled and stays under the guidelines of a healthy purpose. Violence crosses the line from healthy competition where the goal is to become your personal best, to the unhealthy place where your intent is malicious. Every boy grows up with a dream to be a hero… that means conquering great challenges. His idea of fun is pushing himself to become his best. Overcoming fear is a huge motivator… a few cuts and bruises is just part of the package. MMA in its purest form is very aggressive but not violent. I have witnessed the great respect the fighters have for their opponents and the fans have for the fighters. The rules and refereeing are strictly enforced to protect the participants. Every sport requires a compelling charge of aggressive behavior along with developed self-control to protect against violence.
2. Meekness is power under harness. Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. We have misunderstood the word meek. Many think that it just means weak but that is the farthest thing from the truth. Jesus was our supreme example and He was not weak! He displayed great strength but never lost control. The coaching principles of MMA purpose to teach its participants this very principle. They are taught to never fight out of anger. The goal is to at all times maintain control thereby allowing the participant to maximize his skills and strategies.
3. Respect will guard against the dark side. Any casual observer of a MMA event would walk away marveling at the obvious level of respect the participants have for each other. I believe this is heavily encouraged and taught because of the intrinsic dangers and potential dark side to any fighting sport. Respect will guard you from the temptation to cross over to malicious thinking and violent actions. This in itself sets up MMA clubs as much needed classrooms for character development. Anyone who is capable of harnessing strong aggressive behavior while still maintaining control with respect is a candidate for greatness.
The event was a huge success. We packed our facility and the general comment was that in our area it was the best MMA event ever! We are glad we could provide a positive healthy environment. About 80% of the crowd were unchurched and it certainly challenged some old stereotype thinking as to what to expect of church. It was definitely ‘out of the box’ which is always one of my goals.
“Church, but not as you know it”,
John
this is brilliant Ps John!
I think it is great to note that all the profit from this event went to Mercy Ministries which is a place of healing for young women who have often been hurt by violence. I loved that the message of Mercy was told to everyone present at the event.
I am glad you had a great turn out of unchurched. I understand from the newspaper that you spoke about mercy and told everyone this is not a salvation message. I too go to a fellowship church group that challenges some old stereotype thinking. We meet in homes and very casual and share where we are at in life – good and bad; transparent.
If a church had a beauty pageant in their building. Some say beauty pageants promote that beauty is all about what is inside and that it takes character and competition to win an event. Yet for me I don’t see why they have an evening dress and bathing suit part to the contest. I am sure that such an event would get a crowd in where 80% of them were unchurched too. Yet I would not recommend it for God’s love to me tells of inner character. I wonder is this is similar for a MMA event.
When you talked about “every boy grows up with a dream to be a hero”. I am curious to know what kind of hero you are talking about; a Batman or a Superman or a man who gives help to others without recognition or praise or fame.
I agree that these athletes must use skill and aggressiveness and anger has no part in the sport. The word violence is by definition “rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment”. This sport is aggressive (making an all-out effort to win or succeed; competitive) and violent.
My main concern was when you stated “respect will guard against the dark side” and “MMA clubs as much needed classrooms for character development”. Is it not Christ’s power through his salvation that will guard us. I do not trust myself, I have to humble myself and let God’s love show me what respect is to live it out. Is not the church the place for classrooms for character development. Are we not the lamps to shine to others, not a club in MMA. I hope in the MMA event you had there were times for the unchurched to see our lamps in the believers who came to this event; if not what was the point.