Danielle and I were walking out of Vaught-Hemingway stadium last Saturday night after a disheartening loss to Vanderbilt. In spite of what I thought was a well-coached game by new coach Houston Nutt, Ole Miss had lost the game on a fumble in the final minutes of the contest. As we walked along, I overheard a discouraged fan behind us saying to a friend, "I don't think Guy Lombardi could have won here at Ole Miss."
Guy Lombardi? Now there is an interesting reference. Guy Lombardo was a well-known bandleader in the last century who was the founder and director of "The Royal Canadians" orchestra. And Vince Lombardi was the renowned coach of the Green Bay Packers who led that team to multiple NFL championships in the 1960's. The guy behind us had combined these two figures from the past to come up with "Guy Lombardi"!
I have thought about the possibilities of having a leader like "Guy Lombardi" for the church. Such a person would combine the best of both leaders. I think we could learn some things from such a person.
We could learn about the importance of teamwork. Whether you're leading the church, a football team, or an orchestra, everyone has to work together in order to be successful. I heard about a village band that played a spirited if unharmonious selection. When they were through, the trombone player asked, "What's the next number? The director said, "The Washington Post March." The trombonist gasped, "Oh no, I just got through playing that." If we're going to be effective, all of us have to be on the same page.
We have to be sensitive to the pain that every person has. Guy Lombardo's most famous quote was not about music but about the struggles of being a father. He said, "Many a man wishes he were strong enough to tear a telephone book in half-- especially if he has a teenage daughter." Every member of the team has his or her own private struggles.
Endurance is needed. Vince Lombardi said, "Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit." I think that's true of football players and of church members. Beware of the natural tendency to become discouraged and drop out. Quitting can become a habit.
Practice and preparation are important. No musician goes out to perform without practice. Members of a football team do not leave the stadium after a game and then just show back up at the stadium the next week for the game. A lot of practice is needed during the week. And a church can't just show up for worship without practicing our faith between Sundays.
We reach for perfection with the sure knowledge that we never quite attain it. Guy Lombardo called his music, "The sweetest music this side of heaven."Our greatest music is but a poor reflection of the ultimate music in the presence of God. Vince Lombardi said, "Perfection is not obtainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."
"Guy Lombardi!" I think we could learn a thing or two from such a man!
