C.F. stands for center-fielder. Center-field is an important position-not all important, but important.

On God's "team" there are many positions. In the "field" we have right-field, left-field and center-field.

Much attention is given to R.F. and L.F.-little to C.F.

Foolishness causes me to assume C.F. is more important than the other two fields-and, doesn't it seem, C.F'ers play their position a bit better?

The team concept is lost during such foolish thought! Confusion reigns-and the opponent has a field day.

Forget for a moment the cheering (and booing) crowds, wipe the sweat away and imagine how it could be.

We need R.F.'ers. They are really important. I'm glad they're on the team. They are hard to live with when they become loveless; hard to listen to when judgmental; hard to talk to when closed-minded. But, all in all, we need them on the team-after all, who else would yell at us as we casually catch the ball with one hand.

We need the L.F'ers too. They are really important. I'm glad they're on the team. They are hard to live with when they become loveless, hard to listen to when judgmental; hard to talk to when closed-minded. But, all in all, we need them on the team-their propensity toward daring steals and reckless slides keep us on our toes.

But, me, I'm a center-fielder. I believe God has called me to that position. As a rookie, years ago, I admired Oswald Hoffmann and others who expressed "balanced" and moderating views-trying to keep peace between the fielders.

There is no doubt we center-fielders are hard to live with when we are loveless; hard to listen to when judgmental; hard to talk to when closed-minded, but, I feel, we also are needed on the team. I long for the unity Christ wants in His Church. I desire the love Christ expects to see among the redeemed.

On Christ's team, we need to live with and support one another. Our team is headed for the championship-it's guaranteed!

Footnote: Why comment on such a politically dangerous subject in the church?
First, I'm not enamored by the politics of the church.

Second, I hope to encourage those whom God has put in center-field. On occasion, strong L.F. and R.F. leaders make demands-even implying that those who do not choose (one or the other side) are uncommitted or, at best, not knowledgeable regarding the "game".

We need good center-fielders, peacemakers, those who dialogue with the other "sides" and work to remain unlabeled, thereby retaining their subjective viewpoint on each issue. Most importantly we need leaders who rise above the politics of the Church-whose time is better spent on the urgent priorities of the Kingdom.